<p>Has anyone mentioned the Jelly Belly factory? It’s a couple of hours out of San Francisco proper, but if you are a fan of the jelly bean, you’ll make the pilgrimage.</p>
<p>Mt. Tamalpais. It’s in Marin County, and one of the tallest in the area. You can drive most of the way to the top, though I’m sure you could hike it base to summit if you wanted. The views are spectacular–I remember being at a meadow somewhere on the higher elevations, framed by trees, looking out at the Pacific far below–it was like paradise.</p>
<p>God, I wish I could get out West more often.</p>
<p>JELLY BELLY!!! Not quite Willy Wonka, but pretty dern close!!!</p>
<p>I’ll second the suggestions about driving to the top of Mt. Tam (which you can do since its in the vicinity of Muir Woods), and of going up the Campanile if you’re on the Cal campus. Also stop at the bookstore and get a souvenir t-shirt. A drive along Lombard St. (crookedest street in the world) is fun and doesn’t take long.</p>
<p>I’d SKIP Alcatraz. I don’t think its worth the couple of hours it takes. What I"d suggest instead is taking the Bay cruise. You’ll go right near Alcatraz, plus under the Golden Gate bridge and along the waterfront. Also walk thru Golden Gate park, and check the calendar of events in the paper when you’re out here; often there are free events in the park.</p>
<p>As for restaurants, SF is loaded with great ones but I don’t think the boys are going to be too interested in fine dining. Do the simple things. For example, crab along the waterfront in SF. If you go to City Lights then eat at one of the italian places nearby.</p>
<p>The wine country is nice, but they won’t serve the kids and it takes the better part of a day to drive up their and visit wineries. Save it for a time when its adults-only.</p>
<p>In Carmel you have to do 17-mile Drive and visit the acquarium. Also if you’re more adventerous you can rent bikes in Carmel and ride them along 17-mile Drive; they won’t even charge you to enter on a bike.</p>
<p>Lastly, remember Twain’s quote about SF. It may be summer elsewhere in the country, but there are days this time of year in SF when the fog rolls in and its COLD. So bring jackets or sweaters.</p>
<p>Just remember: Tenderloin is more than just a steak.</p>
<p>Ah, the Tenderloin. I was once asked to fill in for a night in a band that had a gig there. It turned out to be a transvestite bar. A guy from the audience asked if he could sit in for a number; he sang “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man.” Same lyrics, but the meaning was entirely new.</p>
<p>The Tenderloin- it has gotten much better over the years, cleaned up, but still with its own “character”</p>
<p>And we love the Castro, if you have to ask, never mind</p>
<p>And you can’t forget the Folsom Street Fair…SF in all its glory.</p>
<p>Does anyone know about whitewater rafting near Yosemite? There are too many companies to choose from over the internet. No 5"s please but 3’s & 4’s would be okay. (We’ve gone a couple of times on 1/2 day trips several years ago.)</p>
<p>I’m particularly interested in a one-night overnight camping trip. Thanks!</p>
<p>over30 – No specific info except to alert you that we’ve had unusually heavy rains all Spring and even this summer, and Yosemite had to be evacuated not so long ago because of flooding. The waterfalls look spectacular but the rivers are likely to be much higher than when you went before. You might ask river guides about that.</p>
<p>I’ll be arriving in July for about 6 weeks to give tlc to my elderly parents. But I have alerted my sis to L’Osterio del forno. I want to try it out.</p>
<p>Two museums near the Metreon and SF MOMA that weren’t mentioned are the cartoon museum (<a href=“http://www.cartoonart.org/[/url]”>http://www.cartoonart.org/</a>) and ZEUM (<a href=“http://www.zeum.org/)%5B/url%5D”>http://www.zeum.org/)</a>. The latter is an arts-techno interactive museum for kids and teens. There is also the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (<a href=“http://www.ybca.org/b_ybca.html[/url]”>A.B.O. Comix - YBCA) in the same area. The Yerba Buena Gardens is worth a visit to see the Martin Luther King memorial/fountain</p>
<p>Thanks so much to everyone who made suggestions. We just got back and had an “awesome” time according to the boys. We saw and did everything we had planned and then some in San Francisco. The 2nd favorite activity was bike riding across the bridge, then lunch in Sausalito and riding the ferry back. The weather was perfect - mostly sunny with just enough fog. We also went to the Monterey Aquarium, visited Carmel and hung out on several beaches, went hiking in Yosemite and the all time favorite was whitewater rafting on the Merced. The rafting was great although the water was a little high. The waterfalls were great, as was sunset at Glacier Point. We also shoehorned a visit and tour in at Stanford and Berkeley. We didn’t sleep much but had a wonderful vacation. Thanks again for all the tips.</p>
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<p>We’re heading to Yosemite and would love to see the Glacier Point lookout at sunset. What concerns me is driving around in the park at sunset and after-dark. I understand the roads can be treacherous. So this question is for anyone who has stayed at the Wawona Hotel. Did you rely on the once a day shuttle to the valley which means having to head back to Wawona at 3:30? Or did you drive your car everywhere? Or maybe park your car somewhere along the shuttle route that operates until 6pm? Did you venture out by car for dinner? I’m a little concerned that we’re going to feel “marooned” at the Wawona each evening – no tv, no internet, same entertainment each night. I’d love to attend some of the evening activities in the valley but it’s nearly an hour’s ride, from what I understand. Anyone have firsthand knowledge?</p>
<p>No advice or experience with traveling within Yosemite at nightfall?</p>
<p>Wow, worrywart. You found a five year old thread just in time for my trip to San Fran next week. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Our friends took us to Fog City Diner and treated us to a nice, casual evening. Enjoyed great food, great service.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.fogcitydiner.com/[/url]”>http://www.fogcitydiner.com/</a></p>
<p>If you’re into baseball, check out a Giant’s game–the atmosphere of this downtown ballpark is great! </p>
<p>Regarding Yosemite after dark, I don’t recall any real difficulties with travel. We viewed sunset in at least 2 different spots within the park and had no trouble. Obviously, speed limits are slower, etc. It’s been 7 or 8 years since our visit, but I wouldn’t say travel after dark should be avoided by any means. We took several early AM hikes, so we were pretty much whipped after dinner!</p>
<p>I went to the wawona hotel’s website and found a few night activities - </p>
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<p>I haven’t been to Wawona since I was a child, but have driven to the Sierras many a time. The roads in YNP have never struck me as treacherous or scary, with the exception of Tioga Pass which is the road to Mammoth. The roads are somewhat winding through the forest. </p>
<p>Are you going in summer or spring? There was snow in the area last weekend.</p>
<p>If you venture out to the Golden Gate Bridge, also check out the loop walk at Chrissy Field and on the north end consider driving into the headlands and either having a drink at the Cavallo Point Lodge (if you are party of adults) or seeing the Discovery Museum (if you have chiidren in the party). And you can just bring a picnic and a kite and enjoy the big circle lawn at Cavallo Point. (This all used to be an army installation but has all been beautifully “re-purposed” and is a gorgeous setting right under the bridge. Sausalito is something of a tourist trap I think–but here is a hint: if you happen to belong to a boating or sailing club with reciprocal privileges to other similar clubs, the Sausalito Yacht club is a non-stereotypical, low key club set right on the water downtown next to the ferry landing and has one of the most dazzingly bay views from the deck/bar/dining room.</p>
<p>My favorite view of the GG Bridge is from Fort Point.</p>