<<

SF-WM_070700_00012.ps 6/11/07 10:23 AM Page 12 Page AM 10:23 6/11/07 SF-WM_070700_00012.ps 12 As longonegoesAsnoas overboard, Madison willalso enjoy the wantrentto paddlea row or boatStowat Lake Goldenin GatePark. offersrentals, wellas guided as trips, thebay.on You mightalso NationalRecreation Area at . ingto children ages six months to eight years, in the Golden Gate DiscoveryMuseum, an indoor/outdoor with programs mentioncater- a killer view of . It’s also home to the Bay Area withlots of shops, galleries, and kid-friendly restaurants, not to bayfrontcities. Sausalito has a very Tiburon,two of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and tourist-friendly tellhim he’s staying. astours often sell out), also known as The Rock. If Jake misbehaves, baskin some sun. Try the ferry to Alcatraz (be sure to reserve ahead, offera great way to soak in the sites, feel the wind in your hair, and Jacoblikes boats? San Francisco has a number of bay ferries, which KID BOATY AROUND activities for whatever type of kid you have.you kid of whatevertype for activities of plethora a has bay the by city the but thing, sanity the to challenge a be ferentthings—can dif- completelyenjoy they and one, than more Travelingthere’sif kids—especially your with intact. sanitykeptyour and things, fun and interesting, unique, haveexperienced must you leave,you time the by visit, city good a ensure far.and near fromfamiliesswarmingTo and (OK,nights),coldnights cool days, warm with July,in visit to Franciscolovelyplace San a is WHERE SAN FRANCISCO JULY 2007 JULY FRANCISCO SAN WHERE TheBlue and Gold Fleet offers ferry service to Sausalito and Lookingformore hands-on boating? City Kayak SouthinBeach Kid San Francisco finds for every kind of kid accessiblemain SanFrancisco Maritime National strip,Brid HistoricalPark geway, -ing especiallyfor kids. toursof historic sailing ships, workshops, and programs designed renovations,but the park also offers hands-on exhibits, ranger-led adoringlyand say, “Arrrrgh!” The maritime museum itself is closed timeforkind of thing. Your young companion will surely gaze at you amug for hot cider and hot chocolate. This is truly a once-in-a-life- free,but reservations are required). Be sure to bring Noah a jacket theand first Saturday of every month (this month, it’s July 7; admission seais chanteys and sailor songs aboard a historic ship from 8–12 pm on Parkhosts Chantey Sing at Hyde Street Pier—a public sing-along of chanteyson a real ship? San Francisco Maritime National Historical tionsthroughout thepark. than1,000 acres. Andthere’s freea shuttle thatstopsloca- 15at Flowers,of muchandsomore—in thisurban park comprising more theStrybing Arboretum, theChildren’s , theConservatory seeminglyendless activities—including theJapanese Tea Garden, Everykid has an inner pirate, but how many have sung sea BY LAUREN HAUPTMAN LAUREN BY BayArea Discovery Museum

COURTESY MARITIME PARK, BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUMMUSEUM SF-WM_070700_00013.ps 6/11/07 10:24 AM Page 13 Page AM 10:24 6/11/07 SF-WM_070700_00013.ps

ZEUM: COURTESY ZEUM ingSaddles shops in Fisherman’s Wharf), and pedal your way across bicyclebuilt for two (rent them at one of several Bay City Bike or Blaz- Gate.If your brood prefers bikes, it might be a great time to try out a hours)with unparalleled views of the bay, the city, and the Golden famousGolden Gate Bridge. It’s a great walk (open during daylight GrabRyan’s hand tightly, and stroll across the 1.7-mile span OUTDOORSYof the KID art. digital with experiment or track, sound- a compose video, music makea animation, clay a create to imagination their and tools, technology arts, use encouragedto are Katie and Jack arts. visual and performance,production, sound production, video animation, on focus that exhibits with creativity,about all is placeThis museum. technology and arts placeeither theForecourtin Area theLearningor Garden. more.The Children’s Garden nearisthecarousel, andevents take High-TechClown, theCaterpillar Puppets, storytelling, music, and grams,whichSaturdaysrun on through August, include Derique the underandtheir10 families. The interactive performing-arts pro- GardenSeries, specially designed participatory programs forkids ber,features more than100free events, including theChildren’s The2007 Yerba BuenaGardens Festival, from Maythrough Octo- thehistoric carousel, icerink, bowling center, andSony . hood,treasureais trove kid-friendlyof activities. Highlights include Teddypoor booboo. a has case in there’sdaily,clinic and pm evena 4 and pm 1 offeredareat toursDrop-inown. his stuff him let and made arebears how him teach Fisherman’swill factoryFactory.the Wharf to visit A artisan/shopper.budding yourfor stop perfectIt’s the storytelling. Décor,”“Name to Crafts”T-shirt”interactive “Music as to well as “Decoratefroma ranging classes craft daily offerscenter activity CowHollow.in children’sTheand Kids Crafty boutique to visit a try art, worksof own their making about Rockyall areand Lucia If CREATIVEKID Yerba Buena is also home to Zeum, a truly unique multimedia unique truly Zeum,a Yerbato home also is Buena YerbaBuenaGardens, theSouthinMarket of (SoMa) neighbor- BrownBasic at ownvery his of bear teddy makea can Nate ter,features 20 pages of activities led by “Anna the Hummingbird,” tothe Presidio’s Ecology Trail. The guide, available at the“Kids visitors on Trails,” cen- a self-guided tour book to orient children (ages 5–9) bowlingalley, tennis courts, and lots more. 11miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of bicycle routes, as well as a nearly1,500 acres on the city’s northwest corner. It contains some post for more than 200 years and now a national park encompassing offersanother impressive wide open space: the Presidio, an Army kiteagainst a breathtaking backdrop of water and sky. bayshore. It’s a favorite place to rest, walk, run, play catch, or go providesfly a access to the restored tidal marsh and beaches along the ter’seducational programs. ’s Golden Gate Promenade offerslabs, workshops, and a café and bookstore that benefit the cen- andFort Point. You may want to start at Crissy Field Center, hugewhich swath of green along the water between the tireout Casey and Connor. Crissy Field, originally an Army airfield, is a viceson both sides of the bridge. thebridge to Marin County. There are “vista points” and visitors’ ser- Cyclingnear Fort Point Besure to wear comfortable shoes, because Catherine will love Inaddition to (see Boaty Kid), San Francisco Onthe city side (southeast) of the bridge is the perfect place to JULY 2007 WHERE SAN FRANCISCO SAN WHERE 2007 JULY Zeum 13 SF-WM_070700_00014.ps 6/11/07 10:24 AM Page 14 Page AM 10:24 6/11/07 SF-WM_070700_00014.ps 14 science, art, and human-perception exhibits just waiting to mes- to waiting just human-perceptionexhibits and art, science, of hundreds with act, the into get to want will kids non-scientific checke-mail for free. upstairs(see the website for a schedule). It’s also a great place to newesttechnologies in the world of Mac, and workshops are offered Square.There are lots of work stations to try out the coolest and universe.the of center the to Colinhavebroughtyou spring, WHERE SAN FRANCISCO JULY 2007 JULY FRANCISCO SAN WHERE At the , in the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts, even Arts, FinePalace of beautiful the in Exploratorium, Atthe Besure to visit the mother ship, Apple’s flagship store by Union Exploratorium science-loving, techie off- science-loving,techie question-asking, havea you If Area.Bay the in here reveredterm—especially much- a “geek”is kid, wereyoua Unlikewhen CURIOUSKID ferentstops. And it’s free! thePresidio, making 40 dif- continuousloop throughout ParkShuttle, which runs a thePresidiGo Around the gettired of walking, hop on onthe website). When you ousKids, below; read more (particularlygood for Curi- gyand garbology programs interestedin the archaeolo- ities.)Older kids may be tionfor sure-to-please activ- the“Kids in the Park” sec- Presidiowebsite, click on (Hint:When you visit the tors,and a kid-friendly map. tipsfor parents and educa- With This Car? ThisWith , just a few blocks down the Embarcadero. the down blocks few a just Square, Ghirardelli in Shop Chocolate and Cream Ice Ghirardelli the at sundae fudge hot- a to them treat good, extra are girls the If Bay. Francisco San of life aquatic the about learn to kids for place perfect the Bay, the of Aquarium educational and entertaining the including 39— Pier fill that activities and restaurants, shops, friendly 1990.aroundsince havelivedtheywhere docks the on other overeach flopping sea the watch to fascinating surprisingly is It Store. and Kiosk ter Cen- Marine the at knowledgeablestaff yourself,the ask them about answerMaddy’scloser.getquestions youcan’t you If as pinnipeds” 39.You’llPier“barking at the lions smell and hear sea the see to stop a Franciscowithout San complete to is trip No ANIMAL-LOVINGKID sothey’re doing something right. butBoudin is still the gold standard of sourdough all these years later, bread-makeruses “mother dough” dating back to 1849. Sounds icky, umand Bakery Tour at Fisherman’s Wharf to learn how the famous models,historic photos, and antique cable cars from the 1870s. channelunder the street. On display are various mechanical devices, ofthe large sheaves and cable line entering the building through the andwinding wheels that pull the cables. Downstairs is a viewing area barnand powerhouse, the museum deck overlooks the huge engines willtake care of that. In the historic Washington/Mason cable-car SanFrancisco, the cable car, works. A trip to the Cable-Car Museum Traits of Life, Listen: Making Sense of Sound of TraitsSense Making Listen: Life, of city.include exhibitsthe Ongoing in destinations kid popular most the of it’sone recommended,stronglyas are dome the for tions “interactivedarkness.”excursiontotal through Advancereserva- Tactilethe foran flip is will which Cassidy Dome, them. merize When Audrey (or you) tires of this, you’ll have all the tourist- the all have you’ll this, of tires you) (or Audrey When Ifmore curiosity ensues, take Julianne over to the Boudin Muse- Zacharywill want to go home knowing exactly how that icon of ), and ), Seeing . (including SanFrancisco What’sWrong

COURTESY ; EXPLORATORIUM: AMY SNYDER SF-WM_070700_00015.ps 6/11/07 10:25 AM Page 15 Page AM 10:25 6/11/07 SF-WM_070700_00015.ps

COURTESY , of touching will delight little Emma. little delight will touching of lots and games, crafts, including activities, interactive of cornucopia A animals.” with together living about discussion and action inter- parent–child encourage “to designed was zoo children’s expanded The world. the in grizzly to dedicated environments zoo naturalistic largest the of one is Gulch, Grizzly Hearst habitat, animal newest It’s conservation. encouraging to dedicated is and years few past the during refurbished been has zoo The Ocean. Pacific the to next city the of edge western the on way the all Zoo, Francisco San the is trip, a worth baseball-relatedhappenings (see p. 10 for more information). WorkoutDay and the Home Run Derby (both on July 9), and other FanFestat the Moscone West Convention Center (July 6–10), fullAll-Star plate of events is scheduled for “All-Star Week,” including Gameon July All-Star 10. If you can’t snag tickets to the game, not to worry: A tionon the Giants’ website.) runthe bases on the real diamond. (Hint: There’s a special “Kids” sec- And,after every Sunday home game, kids less than 14 years old can anautograph rubbing, or run the bases inside “Little Giants Park.” woodenCoca-Cola bottle, see the world's largest baseball glove, get areaabove the left-field bleachers. He can slide inside the 80-foot inning,walk him over to the Coca-Cola Fan Lot, an interactive play Alexcan’t pay attention for more than an town.If Megan is a diehard baseball fan, but within(longish) walking distance of down- house,this is a perfect family destination Abeautiful park with nary a bad seat in the missthe garlic fries, a San Francisco staple). foodyou’re ever likely to encounter (do not Giants,as well as some of the best ballpark AT&TPark is home to the San Francisco SPORTYKID Notexactly centrally located, but certainly Thisyear, AT&T Park hosts Major League Baseball’s All-Star Aquariumof the Bay org; 339-3900 org; www.baykidsmuseum. ReynoldsRd., Sausalito; FortBaker, 557 Mc- Museum DiscoveryAreaBay 866-5BB-BEAR com, www.basicbrownbear. Leavenworth2801 St., Factory BrownBear Basic 972-2400tour: www.giants.mlb.com; FranciscoGiants AT&TPark,San bay.com,623-5300 www.aquariumofthe St., Beach at cadero Embar- 39,the PIER Bay the of Aquarium 392-0202 sanfrancisco, www.apple.com/retail/ St., Stockton One StoreApple 981-ROCK alcatrazcruises.com, www.33, Pier Cruises Alcatraz INFORMATION funthings that make San Francisco … well, San Francisco. Andbest of all, your family will have experienced all the unique and yourkids to different kinds of activities, and see which they like best. atsuch a tender age. This vacation is a great opportunity to expose tourson non-game Thursdays at 11 am and 2 pm. days.McAfee Coliseum (also home to the Oakland Raiders) offers theGiants Dugout Store at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm on non-day-game Franciscoon the shockingly civilized BART. July,and McAfee Coliseum is easily reached from downtown San OaklandA’s will host Toronto, Seattle, Texas, Baltimore, and Detroit in 561-7690 www.crissyfield.org, St., Mason 603 FieldCenterCrissy 771-0570 www.craftystyle.com, FillmoreSt., 3108 Kids Crafty citykayak.com,357-1010 Townsendwww.St., at EmbarcaderoThe KayakCity 474-1887 cablecarmuseum.org, www.St., Mason 1201 Museum Cable-Car 928-1849com, www.boudinbakery. St., Jefferson 160 BakeryTourand Museum Boudin 773-1188com, www.blueandgoldfleet. Fleet Gold and Blue 202-8888com, www.blazingsaddles. Saddles Blazing 346-2453 www.baycitybike.com, BikeCityBay Whenall is said and done, you may not want to typecast your tot Bothstadiums offer tours: AT&T Park tours leave every day from IfMia prefers a designated hitter, the plucky and always-exciting tour: (510) 563-2246(510) tour: athletics.mlb.com; A’sOakland McAfeeColliseum, 289-7373 mammalcenter.org, www.marine 39, Pier Store and Kiosk Center Mammal Maritime 752-0347 rental:LakeStow boat www.parks.sfgov.org; ParkGate Golden 921-5858 bridge.org/visitors, Bridge Gate Golden 474-3938 www.ghirardelli.com, PointSt., North 900 Shop Chocolate and CreamGhirardelliIce 561-0360 exploratorium.edu, Lyon3601 www.St., Exploratorium http://goldengate JULY 2007 WHERE SAN FRANCISCO SAN WHERE 2007 JULY zeum.org,820-3320 www.St., Fourth221 Zeum 543-1718 www.ybgf.org,streets, FourthThirdand and Folsomstreets and Mission Between YerbaBuena Gardens sfzoo.org,753-7080 boulevards,Sloat www. and Skylinebetween Highway,Great FranciscoSan Zoo 561-7171 chantey-sing.htm, safr/historyculture/ www.nps.gov/streets, Hyde and ferson Pier,StreetHyde Jef- Sing: Chantey 447-5000; www.nps.gov/safr, St., Jefferson499 VisitorsCenter: ParkHistorical National Maritime FranciscoSan 561-5500 www.presidio.gov, PresidioThe All-StarFanFest 15