Thanks for your input so far....a few more questions though.

Thank you to everyone for your input on suggestions in SF with 3 children - 14, 4, 2.

I have been doing a lot of reading and I am still overwhelmed. I really need help with what I can do together on one day - we have 6 1/2 days.

Day 1: We get in on Sat around 12:30, so I figure we%26#39;ll go to the hotel, freshen up and then maybe do a quick city tour. I went out to the Gray Line website and it looks like the latest tour is 2:15, which I don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll make. Any other suggested tours - short ones, since we%26#39;ll have two little ones?? Or do you suggest we just go out and look around ourselves?

Day 2: Sunday - Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf and Pier 39 in the morning, grab some lunch (suggestions???), then the Alcatraz tour around 1:45p.m. QUESTION: Do I book the Alcatraz tour through the Blue and Gold or Gray Line??? Which one is the best???

Any suggestions on what to do after Alcatraz?

Day 3: Fire Truck Tour, Golden Gate, and Muir Woods.

Day 4: Tuesday - drive to Monterey for the day. What is the best route? Is this something we can incorporate a scenic drive into? Hwy 1?? I really don%26#39;t know. Also, what are the must-dos in Monterey? Suggested kid-friendly restaurants??

Okay, this leaves me with Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I still want to do Ferry Building, Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Ghiradelli Sq, Chinatown, Union Sq - what am I missing?? Oh, maybe the Cable Car Museum.

I just don%26#39;t know how to group my days - what things to group together to be the most efficient.

I would also appreciate suggestions on family friendly restaurants.

Another important question - what is the weather like? Dress in layers?

Thank you so much for all the suggestions!

Kathy - leaving in less than 2 weeks! Yea!

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Thanks for your input so far....a few more questions though.

I am not sure how young your kids are, but I would recommend exploring the City on foot your first day. I know many recommend city tours, but I don%26#39;t necessarily think they are necessary, unless you really just like to explore using tours. I would kind of let that be the basis of your decision. Also, depending on what time you get to the hotel and get settled in, I would also think that you may not have the time for a tour... but I am not real firmiliar with all tours offered. Hopefully someone else has more suggestions.

For Alcatraz, book through the Blue and Gold Fleet. Tours should currently be available for your dates on their website. You could do a clam chowder lunch at Boudins before hand.

Another thing you may also wish to see is the Fortune Cookie Factory. It seems to be pretty fun for the kids. The Sony Metreon entertainment center could also be something to check out depending on the age(s) of your children.

When you do Coit Tower/Telegraph Hill, I also recommend walking around North Beach a bit and exploring the neighborhood. Maybe get some Italian food from one of the various restaurants.

Thanks for your input so far....a few more questions though.

Thanks Saks, my children are 14, 4, and 2. I think on foot is probably going to be our best bet for the first day as well. I%26#39;m sure the concierge can make suggestions.

Do you have any input on how to group my days together? I just want to be efficient, without being rushed.

Thanks!

Kathy

Day 2, you will be very close to Ghirardelli Square. You can go there and to Aquatic Park, maybe Hyde St Pier, while in the area. You could take the cable car to the top of Lombard St (crooked street) from Aquatic Park.

Or go to Pier 39 (right next to the Alcatraz Ferry. See the sea lions.

Or you could take the F line historic streetcars to the Ferry Bldg, a short ride away.

Or take the 39 bus up to Coit Tower from the Wharf area.

I would allow 1 full day for Golden Gate Park. There is Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Museum, SF Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, Stow Lake, (rent a boat), and more..

sfgate.com/traveler/鈥gpark.shtm

You can lump Union Square with Chinatown, and even North Beach and Coit Tower on another day. Climb up one side, then descend the Filbert steps on the east side and maybe catch a glimpse of the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.

sisterbetty.org/stairways/filbertsteps.htm

www.markbittner.net/parrots_central.html

You could easily walk to the Cable car Museum from your hotel. Walking back up could take some effort.

Kids like the Rainforest Cafe (Wharf)

dooyoo.co.uk/restaurants-international/鈥?/a>

Also In-N-Out Burger (Wharf)

http://sfsurvey.com/rd.asp?r=536

Cheescake Factory (Union Square)

http://www.posthoc.com/foodunionsquare.htm

-San_Francisco-Cheesecake_Factory-BR-1.html

These aren%26#39;t foody places, but kids do enjoy them

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