What a way to visit the tourist areas of San Francisco! Put this on your summer to do list!
For any one living in the East Bay, I would highly recommend the Ferry from Oakland to Pier 41.
We had relatives visiting from Phoenix that wanted to go to See San Francisco. None of us were excited about driving nor parking around Pier 39, so we decided to try the Ferry. It was easy getting there and we made it back on time, even though there was a long line for the return ferry.
1. You can park in the Jack London Square parking lot for FREE if you validate on the Ferry.
2. There is a Farmers Market in Jack London Square on Saturday mornings, so you can wander and pick up some snacks for the day before you get on the boat.
3. You purchase tickets on the Ferry, so no need to get there super early.
4. It docks right near pier 39, in the heart of the Wharf tourism.
5. If you go in the morning, you can beat a lot of the tourists and head back after lunch.
Things to do:
I recommend the Hyde Street historic pier. It has lots of old boats to look at.
Ghiradelli Square is nice for a snack.
I hear Boudins bakery has an awesome breakfast in a bread bowl (mmmm).
Of course, Pier 39
Watch the Sea lion colony behind pier 39.
**Make sure you pay attention to the return schedule and plan to get back to the Pier on time. The last ferry departs at 6:30pm. There is no Ferry service on the weekends until March.
Ferry Fares (as of 1/6/13):
Adults $6.25 each way
Clipper card users $4.75 each way
Youth (5-12). $3.50 each way
Under 5 Free
During the summer, the Ferry also goes to Angel Island, which is a nice place to walk and have a picnic. It is on our list for this summer.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Boston for toddlers
Visited Boston in October. Here are our favorite kid places:
Salem- especially in October, but there is a lot to see all year round. Especially liked the tall ships.
Boston children's museum- excellent!
Boston common - loved visiting the duck family statues after reading the book. Make way for Ducklings.
There is also a carousel and a nice playground.
Took a trip near Worcester to pick apples. Got to ride behind a tractor.
Never made it to the Duck Tours, but maybe when he's older.
Walked around Faneuil hall and The Market.
We rented an apartment throughAirBnB they had some toys and high chair already in the house.
Salem- especially in October, but there is a lot to see all year round. Especially liked the tall ships.
Boston children's museum- excellent!
Boston common - loved visiting the duck family statues after reading the book. Make way for Ducklings.
There is also a carousel and a nice playground.
Took a trip near Worcester to pick apples. Got to ride behind a tractor.
Never made it to the Duck Tours, but maybe when he's older.
Walked around Faneuil hall and The Market.
We rented an apartment throughAirBnB they had some toys and high chair already in the house.
Phoenix for Toddlers
Winter - outdoor parks; many have ponds with ducks.
Summer - indoor play areas at the malls
Phoenix children's museum - lots of activities for smaller ones.
Arizona Museum for Youth, Mesa - nice toddler area
Zoo lights. But get there early, lines form quickly.
Desert botanical gardens. Especially during butterfly exhibit.
Heard museum (native American)
Schnepf farms has multiple holiday events all year round.
Summer - indoor play areas at the malls
Phoenix children's museum - lots of activities for smaller ones.
Arizona Museum for Youth, Mesa - nice toddler area
Zoo lights. But get there early, lines form quickly.
Desert botanical gardens. Especially during butterfly exhibit.
Heard museum (native American)
Schnepf farms has multiple holiday events all year round.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Fairyland, Oakland
We recently visited Fairyland with my 18 month son.
My 18 month year old son is very mobile, with a short attention span.
Fairy town has a lot to explore for all preschool ages, even though it is in a small area in Lake Merritt.
There are houses kids can enter and tunnels to walk through. My son especially liked the musical instruments that are at his height.
If you get a magic key ($2), there are kiosks that can be accessed to tell a story. The kiosks are a little outdated and stories a little too long, but every kid likes to carry a special key around.
Other big hits for my toddler were the train (only holds 4 families, so go early) and the animals (small enclosures with farm animals). There are some rides for taller kids. There are also live performances and a puppet show. I was surprised that the puppet show kept his attention, although it could have been all the other kids watching as well.
Overall, he remained entertained for several hours. We then got a chance to walk around Lake Merritt and look at the birds. There is also a free playground not far from Fairyland, in case the little ones still have energy.
There is food in the park, as well as a lot of restaurants along the street on Saturdays, there is the Oalland Farmers Market at the east end, which has food and live music.
Fairyland is $8 for everyone over 1.
My 18 month year old son is very mobile, with a short attention span.
Fairy town has a lot to explore for all preschool ages, even though it is in a small area in Lake Merritt.
There are houses kids can enter and tunnels to walk through. My son especially liked the musical instruments that are at his height.
If you get a magic key ($2), there are kiosks that can be accessed to tell a story. The kiosks are a little outdated and stories a little too long, but every kid likes to carry a special key around.
Other big hits for my toddler were the train (only holds 4 families, so go early) and the animals (small enclosures with farm animals). There are some rides for taller kids. There are also live performances and a puppet show. I was surprised that the puppet show kept his attention, although it could have been all the other kids watching as well.
Overall, he remained entertained for several hours. We then got a chance to walk around Lake Merritt and look at the birds. There is also a free playground not far from Fairyland, in case the little ones still have energy.
There is food in the park, as well as a lot of restaurants along the street on Saturdays, there is the Oalland Farmers Market at the east end, which has food and live music.
Fairyland is $8 for everyone over 1.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)