San Francisco is one big playground for children. An amusement ride known as the Cable Car transverses the heart of the downtown area and will take you and your kiddies to all sorts of worlds of fun.
The Powell and Hyde Cable Car ride starts at Powell and Market and usually sports a long line, but there is a pleasant plaza, escalators and street performers to amuse anyone in the mood to play. One person stands in the line and everyone else takes turns riding the escalator or enjoying the arts of jazz, puppetry, and mime. Once on the Cable Car, try to get a seat outside and, at least two standing areas. This way, tired toddlers can sit and everyone else can swing along as the cable car rumbles uphill, downhill, and performs fun turns. You may even talk the conductor into letting you ring the cable car bell. That is always thrilling. Remind Dad not to try any daredevil stunts, like using his foot to shaking the hands of drivers in traffic.
The Powell-Hyde cable car will deposit you at Aquatic Park near Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a lovely park with a walkway to a sandy beach on the Bay. On sunny days, it is a pleasant place for a picnic, a run-about for the kids, or a rest stop for the parents. Food is a bit pricey but you can opt for a tasty chocolate snack at Ghirardelli Square. Lori’s Diner is a reasonably priced eatery if indoor eating is more appropriate. It is located in Ghirardelli Square, has great burgers and shakes and a wonderful view of the Bay.
Once your family is ready to move on, take a carriage or a Pedi cart to Pier 39. Again, this is a shopper’s trap, but also houses some fun rides, a great indoor arcade, carousel, and the marvelous “Aquarium of the Bay”. You and your family can get up close and personal with the marine life of San Francisco Bay. It is a very worthwhile attraction for all ages. From Pier 39 you and your family can board a ferry to Alcatraz, a sea plane to the sky, or bungi jump into the air. Pier 39 is like a miniature Disneyland by the Bay. There is a wide price range for various tours and rides, but if money is not a problem, the sea plane is thrilling!
If you and your family are on a very tight budget, don’t worry. As a playground, San Francisco has amusements for everyone. Board the Powell and Mason Cable Car at Market and enjoy the same ride with a different destination. This cable car is best suited for a day in North Beach and China Town. On a sunny day, Washington Square is a great picnic spot, conveniently located in the heart of “Little Italy”. Pick up some pizza or pasta, some coffee delights or Italian Ice and enjoy a bit of rest in the grass. There is plenty of room for the kids to run around and there is usually enough action in the park for casual amusement. When you are ready to move on, do a stroll through China Town. Again, you have the gamut of shopper’s temptations but many trinkets are children’s delights and reasonably priced. There are some sophisticated shops with wonderful Asian Art, Ivory carvings, and Ceramic antiques. In addition, the food market windows are full of displays of things you never thought edible. Treat your machos with Stuffed Chicken Feet. They are quite tasty, and a memorable eating experience. Continuing your stroll through China Town, you will come to California Street. You can take the California Cable Car up to connect with Powell and Market to proceed homeward, or you can take it downward through the financial district and Embarcadero. On weekends there is always something going on at the Embarcadero Plaza. Sidewalk market fairs, street performers, and other pleasantries make this a good run-around spot for kids and browsing spot for parents. Transportation in this area can take you across the bay on BART, back down Market Street or further along down the Embarcadero to bus and train stations. There is a See’s Candy Store near the Hyatt where you and your family can manage a few free samples and bag a polite for the ride home.
