School’s almost out! What are you planning this summer?…
A Few of Kid Friendly San Francisco’s Favorite Local Spots
A SPECIAL FEATURE FIRST PRESENTED TO THE PARENTS AT SILVERSPOT CO-OPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL BY: Lillian Berman ~ Kid Friendly SF, www.kidfriendlysf.com
SOUTH BAY AREA:
City of Pacifica: I love it! It’s our closest beach town sporting horseback riding and camps at Sun Valley Equestrian, a public golf course, plenty of public beaches, hikes like Mori Point, bowling at Sea Bowl, BBQ in a train car at Gorilla BBQ, a skateboarding park near the beach, and Frontierland- a most incredible playground.
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View from Mori Point overlooking The Pacifica Pier
Coyote Point: Can’t get enough of this place! Fairy castle playground is one of the many playgrounds, kite flying galore, bay sunbathing, picnic tables for events and the exciting CuriOdyssey science museum (which most likely many of you may be members of.) Entrance fee for Coyote Point for cars, but worth it. Great to meet friends here.
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Get to Know Local Animals at CuriOdyssey
Burgess Public Pool: Go south of San Francisco and you find the sun in the summertime! Burgess Pool in Menlo Park has it all for a warm day in the sun. A splashy kiddy pool, lockers for changing, grassy knolls for sunbathing and picnicking, an adult pool for laps, and a surrounding area that includes a great playground, grassy area for more picnicking- all fully equipped with the small town feeling as the train chugga chugs as it passes by. Stroll down to Jeffery’s Burgers for lunch or dinner on El Camino Real just around the corner down the street from the pool.
Costanoa: Staycation time anyone? This resort in Pescadero is another got it all kind of place- a parent favorite!! First of all, it’s anything you want it to be: a hotel/lodge with all amenities including a Jacuzzi, deluxe cabins with all the amenities including a porch, canvas tents with hotel quality beds, bedding and towels provided with a “comfort station” to serve as a nearby restroom, shower and sauna room and fireplace-warm up area, and your KOA pitch a tent spots in the middle area for an even more campy feel. Restaurant, gift shop, spa services and hiking are all on campus and located around 10 minutes driving distance from the famous Año Nuevo State Park’s Elephant Seals.
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Lovely lodge at Costanoa, Peaceful Garden
Didalidoo: Located in the San Bruno shopping street “San Mateo Avenue”, this indoor space is a good one to beat the heat (or summer fog) and a place to for kids to get their “play on” indoors. Perfect for preschoolers and their little siblings, they a sell individual passes and various deals if you would like to purchase a pass for unlimited entry for a certain amount of months. (Right now it’s $228 for 4 months).
SAN FRANCISCO- It’s OUR Kind of Town!!
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Land’s End Lookout and Sutro Heights Historic Area (near Cliff House Restaurant and Ocean Beach): Land’s End has a new incredible Visitor’s Center located above the site of the former Sutro Baths, overlooking Seal Rock, the Cliff House, Ocean Beach and the entire endless Pacific Ocean. We love this area! Adolph Sutro, former mayor of SF selected this spot for his mansion, overlooking it all. You can take a stroll since it’s all level ground, read and see the photos of the mansion, (now torn down), and lounge on the grassy area which used to be splendid English gardens, which aren’t so shabby today.
Now if you’re feeling like a bit of a steeper walk, hike down to the Sutro Baths and explore the ruins of the biggest bathhouse that SF once hosted. If the tide is low, you can play on the beach and the sandy caves with views of Seal Rock.
And there’s food for the hungry! Walk up the street to dine at the less known, but perfect for families Seal Rock Inn Restaurant or skip down to Louie’s for a great view and milkshakes and burgers or live it up like the old days at the glorious Cliff House. Restrooms, snacks, tea and coffee as well as gifts can be found at the Land’s End Visitor Center.
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Splendid Exploration is Yours at Sutro Baths
China Beach: If you love Baker Beach, you’ll love China Beach when you are seeking a little less of a crowd. Located in the fancy Sea Cliff neighborhood literally a couple blocks from Robin Williams’ home (you turn when you see it), and park and walk down the steep staircase. Remember all you’ve brought to play on the beach and picnic and there are restrooms below for your convenience. This hidden little gem of a beach may be sparsely populated on a nice day.
Nob Hill: It’s not just for tourists or neighborhood locals, it’s for everyone in between! Nob Hill has got it all with a view! Cable car access, close to downtown, Chinatown and North Beach, views all around, the exquisite Fairmont Hotel with the kitschy-fabulous Tonga Room for little Tiki lovers, garden deck open to all and a gorgeous lobby to explore, the Hunington Park and playground, the Grace Cathedral Labyrinths (inside church and outside.)
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Grace Cathedral Labyrinth
EAST BAY- We can’t resist!
This section written in collaboration with Jessica Taylor-Hahn of Hill Babies & Rachel Teichman of OOGIAH.com
The Oakland Zoo: Perfect zoo for young kids. A variety of animal exhibits and carnival rides.
Play Cafe, Oakland: Ball pit, dress-up, kitchen & baby play areas. Lots of food & seating.
Tilden Park, Berkeley: 2,079 acre park, 39 miles of trails, merry-go-round, Lake Anza, train ride & feeding farm animals.
Roberts Regional Recreation Area, Oakland: Redwoods, all-access play area, grass & pool.
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A giraffe encounter
Children’s Fairyland, Oakland: Kids w/adults only, charming pre-Disneyland theme park since 1950 with rides, holiday events, the longest running puppet show in the U.S. & summer overnights.
Resource, Support for Parents & Children & Drop in Class or Play Spaces:
- JAMaROO Kids, Presidio. Drop in and sign up classes.
- Day One Center, Presidio. Lactation consultant services, baby items.
- Sprout, Marina. Green items & classes, free play space.
- Parents Place, Family services, counseling & classes. SF, San Mateo & Palo Alto locations.
- Parent Inc., Marina. Counseling.
- Natural Resources, Mission. Baby items and classes.
- Carmel Blue, North Beach. Baby items and classes.
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