San FranciscoFor something a little different, why not try the Alcatraz tour at night
Andrew Baker
California is a great place for families and children, and San Francisco is one its most child-friendly cities. Not only is there great weather, but there's also a plethora of fantastic attractions and activities to keep the little ones busy.When the sun is out, visit world-renowned landmark Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the sights, or even take an electric bike tour over the bridge. Not your typical theme park, the Gilroy Gardens are great for a picnic or a stroll and there is a great deal of space for kids to run around and let off some steam. There are also breathtaking views from the Panoramic Wheel and there are even a few rides for the younger ones to enjoy. Fisherman's Wharf is also a great day out and be sure to head to Pier 39 where there is plenty for kids to see and do.When the weather is bad head out to some of the exciting museums such as the Exploratorium, the Children's Creativity Museum or the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
The Aquarium of the Bay features 300 feet (91m) of crystal clear acrylic tunnels through which over 20,000 aquatic animals can be viewed. The aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to come face-to-face with the Bay's largest predator, the seven-gill shark, as well as touch leopard sharks, skates, rays and sea stars. The Aquarium hosts nearly 600,000 visitors every year and provides free classes and tours to the Bay Area school children annually, making it a wonderful San Francisco attraction for families.
Address : Pier 39, the Embarcadero and Beach Street.
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.aquariumofthebay.com
Telephone : (415) 623 5300
Opening times : Open daily 9am-8pm in summer, reduced hours in other seasons.
Admission : Adults $27, Children $17. Concessions available.
This ten-acre entertainment park on the shores of Lake Merritt features carousel rides, puppet shows, friendly animals and displays of story-book sets from well-loved characters like Johnny Appleseed, Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland. Children of all ages will love a trip to Children's Fairyland where they can let their imaginations run wild.
Address : 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.fairyland.org
Telephone : (510) 452 2259
Opening times : Winter: Friday to Sunday 10am-4pm; Spring and fall: Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm; Summer: Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.
Admission : $10, babies under 12 months free
Named San Francisco's best museum, the Exploratorium is a fun, quirky museum of science, art and human perception that features some 650 'please touch' exhibits. Located inside the Palace of Fine Arts, many of its exhibits are created by visual and performing artists as well as scientists and educators. Exhibits such as the off-site Wave Organ, a unique sonic exhibit that is located on a nearby piece of land jutting out in the San Francisco Bay, can be found nowhere else in the world. It is one of San Francisco's most popular museums, drawing over 500,000 people each year, with attractions such as its three-dimensional pitch-black Tactile Dome inspiring many visitors to approach challenges in a very different way. The Exploratorium frequently has fun, interactive Thursday night events for adults.
Address : Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St)
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.exploratorium.edu
Telephone : (415) 528 4444
Transport : The Exploratorium has convenient access to public transportation, accessible by Muni’s F Market streetcar stop and Muni bus lines 2, 6, 14, 21, 31, and metro rail lines J, K, L, M, T, N stop within walking distance, amongst other options.
Opening times : Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Admission : $30 adult, $20 children, other concessions available.
Boasting a menagerie of over 300 wonderful animals, the Oakland Zoo is a must for animal lovers and children. Highlights include a children's park, picnic area, wildlife theatre, carousel and a miniature railway. The children's zoo allows kids the opportunity to get close to the animals and even pet them. There's also a small rides area, and a cafe and souvenir shop.
Address : 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Website : www.oaklandzoo.org
Telephone : (510) 632 9525
Opening times : Open daily 10am-4pm.
Admission : $22 (adults); $18 (children). Children under 2 are free.
The Randall Museum, also known as the Science and Nature Museum, provides plenty of enjoyable and exciting learning opportunities and experiences for children of all ages. The museum also features animals, such as birds, mice and snakes and children can even get to handle these critters as part of the educational experience. Workshops and programmes are also available to children and adults.
Address : 199 Museum Way , San Francisco, CA 94114
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.randallmuseum.org
Telephone : (415) 554 9600
Opening times : Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Admission : Free
Visitors at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum can be mystified and thrilled at the rare, the bizarre and the totally unexplained in the many interactive and state-of-the-art exhibitions throughout the museum. The Marvelous Mirror Maze and the Impossible Laser Race are also worth the time. This is a must for families travelling with kids in San Francisco.
Address : 175 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.ripleys.com/sanfrancisco
Telephone : (415) 202 9850
Opening times : Sunday to Thursday 10am-9pm; Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm.
Admission : $25 (adults); $19.84 (children).
01474 814411
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