Expert: Ernest Tufft - 11/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ernest,

I am going to travel to California with my husband and 3 years old boy for Christmas vacation. We plan to spend 2 days in San Francisco and surrondings, what would you suggest to see in priority (accessible to all the family) ? We should be there on Christmas day, is it a good day to visit the city (I suppose it is very calm). What is the best area to stay overnight ? What is the weather at this time of the year ?

Thanks in advance,

Valerie


ANSWER: Hi Valerie,

Sorry for the delay in reply to your question about travel to San Francisco with husband and 3 year old boy.  This issue of access for your child is your judgement based upon the temprament of your child, his abulatory abilities, and of your ability to manage him and your husband :-)

San Francisco can be a great place for families to visit, due to the wealth of museums and depth of culture found in the city, but it's also true that at age three, your son might find it difficult to appreciate even the best child oriented museum.

Since you will likely spend hours on foot, your son will soon tire of San Francisco's excitement.  Rather than push a stroller around, I recommend that, if possible, your husband prepare to "backpack" your son around the city.  Strollers can be awkward on public transportation, in restaurants, and so on.  Front carrying kangaroo pouch type carriers emphasize the parent to child interaction too much.  Papoose or backpack style baby carriers emphasize the child's need to observe the seeming chaos of the city, within the relative comfort, safety, and altitude of dad or mom's backpack.  Even at age 3, your son will find much to observe and learn about.  Indeed such early experience of this sort will contribute to your son's acquisition of life long travel skills.  Thus, what you probably want is to do adult activities--music, museums, restaurants, etc.--and bring your son along for the experience.

Depending upon where you are from, San Francisco's December weather will be either chilly or warm.  San Franciso is warmer in winter than the surrounding Bay Area.  Fog is not typical in winter, but temperatures will average in the 50's and 60's during the day, and then drop into the 50's and 40's at night.  Hard frosty weather is not common, but cold marine breezes can cause a wind chill effect.  Be sure to bring warm sweaters and jackets, and good walking shoes.   

I would spend both days in San Francisco.  One day can be spent riding the cable car, visiting Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the Ferry Building area.  These are the places that are heavily touristed and are generally regarded as good first-time visit activities.  At night, go into the North Beach area for music, or take in a theater production.

On the second day, you can either take a ferry boat trip to Sausalito or Alcatraz (this will be cold on deck), or better yet explore the city's excellent neighborhoods where the real San Franciscans have access to the best small restaurants and other activities a lot of tourists never find.  This day can also be well spent in Golden Gate Park at the Japanese Tea Gardens, Academy of Sciences and Steinhardt Aquarium, and the DeYoung Museum.  Traveling around the city by MUNI (see their website for details), is half the fun of exploring the city, and if you are able to organize yourself, your husband, and your son, you will find a lot of great hospitality waiting for you.

Have Fun!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer. Despite his young age, my son has already traveled a lot, he likes being outside, so bringing him around the city shouldn't be a problem.

I understand the public transportation is great in SF. But as we will be there on Christmas day, is it better to use our car to go from one point to another or do you recommend public transportation on that day?
I was once in Philadelphia for Christmas day and in Washington DC for New Year's Day, both cities were very calm and we had no problem to drive and park the car everywhere we wanted to. Is it the same for San Francisco on December 25th ?

Is everything closed, or are there any touristic places that remains open ? What about the restaurants ? In Philadelphia, we got some troubles to find something open.

Thanks.


Answer
I still recommend using MUNI, as it is a great system anytime of year.  Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are flat and easy cities compared to SF for driving.  SF is one of the most difficult cities in North America in which to drive and find parking because of the hills and compact streets.  Parking lots are more expensive now that the budget crisis is in full swing.  Having said this, many tourists rent cars to isolate themselves and then spend precious time circling around confused or searching for parking spaces, instead of mingling with the locals in conversation about this great city and how to get around and enjoy it.  Check SFGate.com for a schedule of events for X-mas day.  There will be plenty of restaurants open throughout the city, although things may be a bit quieter than usual in the most touristed parts of the city.  Be green--park the car and use MUNI.