petra bethlehem 78 higher-floor, street-side bedrooms ending in 00 through 05, you ll have views of the cable cars a

78 higher-floor, street-side bedrooms ending in 00 through 05, you ll have views of the cable cars and Union Square. Bathrooms are moderately sized, and each tub comes with its own rubber ducky. The in-house restaurant, Luques, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Older kids will appreciate the fr ee high-speed I nternet access av ailable petra bethlehem in the lobb y. Check the w ebsite or call the hotel about special package rates, which can be much lo wer than published rates. petra bethlehem

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality , value, service, petra bethlehem amenities, and special featur es using a star-rating system. I n countr y, state, and regional guides, we also rate to wns and regions to help y ou narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of z ero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated accor ding to the follo wing scale: z ero stars (r ecommended), one star (highly r ecommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

paris 4 day itinerary If y ou plan a longer visit, consider bucking the hotel options altogether and lodge in a house or a

The few hotels that grace the area are priced in the high-moderate to luxur y range, but dining options run the gamut from very inexpensive to big-night-out. Just slightly off the beaten tourist path, this would be a fun, conv enient area in which to stay with kids of any age.

If y ou plan a longer visit, consider bucking the hotel options altogether and lodge in a house or apar tment. Agencies offer furnished apar tments for stays as brief as 4 nights, paris 4 day itinerary and some I nternet sites offer home ex changes with families in other cities and countries. I ve listed some of these agencies and sites below.

CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN For nearly thr ee decades, Z uni Cafe has ser ved Mediterranean-infused California cuisine in this spacious, sunny , location. The white washed walls and two-stor y-high south-facing windo ws combine with odd angles, heavy wood, and exposed brick to giv e a casual, air y feel to the place. The eclectic, inventive, and always delicious cuisine fr om famed chef-o wner Judy Rodgers (which can also be found in her fabulous 500-plus page cookbook) changes regularly, but her signature roast chicken with bread salad is always on the otherwise very short menu. It s no wonder this place still draws a cr owd after all these y ears. Although ther e is no children s menu, the kitchen is always happy to whip up a special concoction. Whatever you do get for the kids, make sur e it comes with the shoestring potatoes. 1685 Market St. (btw. Gough and Franklin paris 4 day itinerary sts.). &415/552-2522. www.zunicafe.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reser vations r ecommended. M ain c ourses paris 4 day itinerary $10 $19 lunch, $14 $39 dinner. AE, MC, V. Tues Sat 11:30am midnight; Sun 11am 11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Gough St.

ducks tour seattle (p. 175), a stunning glass str ucture o verlooking a garden with thousands of flowers out front. If

As for the aw e-inspiring food, the man behind the master y is awar d-winning chef Hubert Keller, a native of the Alsace region of France now recognized ducks tour seattle as one of the best chefs in the world (and he has ser ved as a judge on TV s Top Chef). Keller s kitchen is firmly rooted in classic F rench cooking, but includes some playful touches inspir ed by his new country, such as tr uffle-infused popcorn and an amazing mini foie gras hamburger. Choose from a menu of three, ducks tour seattle four, or five courses and expect to be blown away by such offerings as sear ed Moroccan spiced sea scallops with pomegranate jus, cauliflower flan, and O setra caviar or v eal tournedos scented with foamy lobster bisque and veal essence. A v egetarian ducks tour seattle tasting menu, with options such as tr uffled white bean soup with green garlic fondue and wild mushrooms, is also available. The desserts and cheese selection are obscenely delicious, and the wine list includes sev eral hundred selections. (Although I ve noted this isn t a place for kids, I did once spot two pr e-teen boys dining with their parents; they were well behaved and seemed to enjoy the experience.)

(p. 175), a stunning glass str ucture o verlooking a garden with thousands ducks tour seattle of flowers out front. If it s still open, y ou ll enjoy the Conservatory s collection of unusual and exotic plants. O r y ou could head straight across JFK D rive to the Car ousel and the Koret Children s Quarter, a very large, very creative playgr ound wher e y ou can thank the kids for their patience all day and let them loose for a while. O ther lovely places in the par k located behind the de Young in the opposite dir ection fr om the playground are the J apanese Tea G arden, Botanical Gardens, and Stowe Lake.

washington dc world war 2 memorial Generally, you ll be fine if you arrive at the airport 1 hour befor e a domestic flight and 2 hours

Generally, you ll be fine if you arrive at the airport 1 hour befor e a domestic flight and 2 hours before an international flight; if you show up late, tell an airline employee and she ll probably whisk you to the front of the line.

580 Gear y St. (at Jones St.). &415/345-3900. w ww.millenniumrestaurant.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. Reservations recommended. Main courses $21 $24. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun Thurs 5:30 9:30pm; Fri Sat 5:30 10pm. Muni: No. 27-Bryant or no. 38-Geary to Jones St., or Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Union Sq., and then walk 2 blocks w est.

Successful touring with kids r equires preplanning washington dc world war 2 memorial or an extr emely mellow attitude, and preferably both. (In fact, an extr emely mellow washington dc world war 2 memorial attitude is as impor tant as a warm jacket.) Deciding beforehand, even the night before, what you d like to do each day is much preferable to winging it. Otherwise, you re going to waste time debating whether to go to Fisherman s Wharf or the zoo or Chinatown and not be prepared for any of them. Above, I listed some suggested itineraries that should help y ou plan your time in San Francisco.

CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN For nearly thr ee decades, Z uni Cafe has ser ved Mediterranean-infused California cuisine in this spacious, sunny , location. The white washed walls and two-stor y-high south-facing windo ws combine with odd angles, heavy wood, and exposed brick to giv e a casual, air y feel to the place. The eclectic, inventive, and always delicious cuisine fr om famed chef-o wner Judy Rodgers (which can also be found in her fabulous 500-plus page cookbook) changes regularly, but her signature roast chicken with bread salad is always on the otherwise very short menu. It s no wonder this place still draws a cr owd after all these y ears. Although ther e is no children s menu, the kitchen is always happy to whip up a special concoction. Whatever you do get for the kids, make sur e it comes with the shoestring potatoes. 1685 Market St. (btw. Gough and Franklin sts.). &415/552-2522. www.zunicafe.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reser vations r ecommended. washington dc world war 2 memorial M ain c ourses $10 $19 lunch, washington dc world war 2 memorial $14 $39 dinner. AE, MC, V. Tues Sat 11:30am midnight; Sun 11am 11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Gough St.

egypt war with israel 1875 Union St. (btw. Hyde and Larkin sts.). &415/771-7900. North Beach: 655 Union St. (at C olumbus

1875 Union St. (btw. Hyde and Larkin egypt war with israel sts.). &415/771-7900. egypt war with israel North Beach: 655 Union St. (at C olumbus Ave.). &415/399-0300. Presidio Heights: 3611 C alifornia St. (at Spruc e St.). &415/831-0900. Castro: 2304 Market St. (at 16th St.). &415/558-8123. Sunset: 816 I rving St. (at 9th A ve.). &415/566-0900. www.pastapomodoro.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. M ain c ourses $7.50 $15.25. AE, MC, V. M on Thurs 11am 10:30pm; Fri 11am 11:30pm; Sat noon 11:30pm; Sun noon 10:30pm. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Laguna St.

most of my life in a whirlwind of travel, it was punctuated by stays in this glorious part of the world. I was born not far fr om the city limits, and my par ents often brought my brother and me into town. We moved to Puerto Rico when I was still y oung and, after that, to B razil and then U ruguay. When we returned to the U.S. y ears later it was to Southern California; but because my par ents retained a fondness for S an Francisco, we visited the city regularly.

2015 Fillmore St. (btw. California and Pine sts.). &415/346-3692. No credit cards. Small cup $3; lar ge cup $5.15. Mon Thurs 11:30am 10pm; Fri Sat 11:30am 11pm. Muni: No. 1-California bus to Fillmore St., and then walk 1/2 block south.

Presidio Social Club AMERICAN egypt war with israel One of a handful of r estaurants in the lo vely Presidio National Park, this old army barracks has been revamped to feel like a charming 1930 s officers club. Weathered windo w shutters, potted plants and a white-washed interior provide an air y, friendly feel that makes families feel w elcome provided they come for a w eekend brunch or early in the ev ening, before the bar fills up with adults swigging classic cocktails. The American comfort food menu offers plenty of options for the little ones, like fish and chips or an extra-fancy sloppy J oe s made with American Kobe-style beef. Other nostalgic menu items, for those so inclined, include liv er and onions or beef Stroganoff on egg noodles. Mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and saut ed spinach are typical sides. M ore adventurous eaters egypt war with israel can look to the appetiz er menu for inspiration; they ll find tuna poke, steak tar tare, and even shrimp fritters guaranteed to be too spicy for young palates. My family and I like the Presidio egypt war with israel Social Club for its location inside the national par k and for its fun, old-time feel. Although some menu items are quite tasty, we wouldn t come here for the food alone.

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Taylor s R efresher (1 F erry B ldg.; & 866/328-3663) comes in a close second, with burgers made fr om all- natural, local beef , topped with a tasty secret sauce and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes fresh from the Farmer s Market. See p. 125.

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during w eekdays when ev eryone else is at work. On the weekends, folks from the surrounding ar eas make their way into to wn for shopping and theater. San Francisco is a delight after Thanksgiving, as Union Square puts up a massiv balloon ride irvine e Christmas tr ee and surrounding stores dress themselves up in festive decorations. In November, Chinatown merchants hold a night market fair at Portsmouth S quare on S aturdays until 11pm, and shoppers hav e a field day finishing up their holiday shopping.

5 Pasta Pomodoro balloon ride irvine ITALIAN Families, and the good fr esh food, are responsible for making this locally owned chain so successful. The fare isn t going to have you phoning home in a rapture, but it s cheap, healthy, and you can make everyone happy here with a plate of lasagna balloon ride irvine for meat-eaters, a nice linguine primav era for the v egetarian, plain capellini for the refusnik, and some saut ed broccoli because you need your veggies. The best news is that Pasta Pomodoro also delivers. Should you be in a hotel without r oom service, don t stress about taking exhausted kids out once again: Those buttered noodles are just a phone call away. You can find other locations in the N orth Beach, Presidio Heights, Castro, and Sunset neighborhoods.

distance from new york city to niagara falls Note that I ve listed several restaurants outside the main tourist z ones of U nion Square, F isherm

1875 Union St. (btw. Hyde and Larkin sts.). &415/771-7900. North Beach: 655 Union St. (at C olumbus Ave.). &415/399-0300. Presidio Heights: 3611 C alifornia St. (at Spruc e St.). &415/831-0900. Castro: 2304 Market St. (at 16th St.). &415/558-8123. Sunset: 816 I rving St. (at 9th A ve.). &415/566-0900. www.pastapomodoro.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. M ain c ourses $7.50 $15.25. AE, MC, V. M on Thurs 11am 10:30pm; Fri 11am 11:30pm; Sat noon 11:30pm; Sun noon 10:30pm. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Laguna St.

GETTING THE BEST R ATE N early every moderate and high-end hotel I visited distance from new york city to niagara falls insisted that guests can almost certainly book rooms at rates well below the published rack rates unless sev eral business conventions are in town at the same time. The first step is checking multiple sources. S urf the I nternet first and then call both the central r eservations number, if there is one, and in-house r eservations. Find which source has the best deal. Many hotels not only match a rate y ou hav e found on the I nternet but also, in some cases, beat it.

CALIFORNIA/MEDITERRANEAN For nearly thr ee decades, Z uni Cafe has ser ved Mediterranean-infused California cuisine in this spacious, sunny , location. The white washed walls and two-stor y-high south-facing windo ws combine with odd angles, heavy wood, and exposed brick to giv e a casual, air y feel to the place. The eclectic, inventive, and always delicious cuisine fr om famed chef-o wner Judy Rodgers (which can also be found in her fabulous 500-plus page cookbook) changes regularly, but her signature roast chicken distance from new york city to niagara falls with bread salad is always on the otherwise very short menu. It s no wonder this place still draws a cr owd after all these y ears. Although ther e is no children s menu, the kitchen is always happy to whip up a special concoction. Whatever you do get for the kids, make sur e it comes with the shoestring potatoes. 1685 Market St. (btw. Gough and Franklin sts.). &415/552-2522. www.zunicafe.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reser vations r ecommended. M ain c ourses $10 $19 lunch, $14 $39 dinner. AE, MC, V. Tues Sat 11:30am midnight; Sun 11am 11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Gough St.

Note that I ve listed several restaurants outside the main tourist z ones of U nion Square, distance from new york city to niagara falls F isherman s Wharf, and N orth Beach. In most cases, the best food at the best prices is served in places like the Mission, the Richmond D istrict, or R ussian Hill residential neighborhoods wher e restaurants may hav e a mor e w elcoming attitude and where local residents are more likely to bring their kids.

tour of capitol Hailing a cab on most city str eets is a hitor- miss pr oposition, but spotting a taxi downtown is e

Hailing a cab on most city str eets is a hitor- miss pr oposition, but spotting a taxi downtown is easier , especially in fr ont of hotels. When mo ving ar ound with kids, it s probably best to phone (or hav e your hotel phone) a cab company because that s the only way to guarantee that y ou ll be retrieved. The major cab companies ar e Desoto C ab (&415/970-1300), Luxor Cabs (&415/282-4141), Metro Cab (&415/920-0715), Veteran s Cab (&415/ 552-1300), and Yellow Cab (&415/6262345).

the need arise. M y husband and I hav e dragged our kids to any number of local restaurants and found that, b y follo wing the guidelines I list below (see the Dining Out in P eace bo x), w e ve been able to enjoy many wonderful dinners and, at the same time, introduce our little ones to new and interesting foods.

Yank Sing Finds CHINESE/DIM SUM For many S an F rancisco tour of capitol families, gathering with friends on a w eekend morning over dim sum is a fr equent occurrence. Families come together in groups of 6, 8, or 10 and seat themselves at a table, while servers carrying trays or pushing trolleys offer an assortment of bite-size Chinese delicacies, usually served three or four to a plate, for everyone to share. For years, we headed out to the Sunset to brunch tour of capitol at Ton Kiang, which I still r ecommend. But more recently we ve made our way to Yank Sing, which gets my vote for best dim sum in the city. Yank Sing makes more than 100 varieties of dim sum, and ser ves at least 60 of them on any giv en day. Scallion prawns, stuffed crab claws, and sno w pea shoot dumplings ar e among the possibilities and the quality is always top-notch. While the price is higher than at Ton Kiang, if you eat at the Rincon Center location, you get the added bonus of dining inside a lovely atrium housing tour of capitol an 80-foot-high water fall. The other good ne ws is, since Yank Sing has two convenient downtown locations, you can always pop in during the week for lunch, a popular alternative for locals who work in the area.

Dottie s True Blue Cafe AMERICAN/BREAKFAST The best meal to hav e here is breakfast (some locals and tourists claim it s the best in to wn), but the place is so small that you ll have to wait unless y ou have a family of early risers. The big por tions of house-made br eads, cornmeal tour of capitol pancakes, F rench toast, eggs, gourmet sausages, fr esh orange juice, and cheer y trim make the wait w ell wor th it. The lunch menu featur es hearty salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

miles from phoenix to sedona remains one of the largest bridges in the world and carries more than 270,000 vehicles each da y mor

remains one of the largest bridges in the world and carries more than 270,000 vehicles each da y more traffic than an y other t oll bridge. 1937 The Golden G ate Bridge opens t o pedestrian miles from phoenix to sedona traffic on M ay 26 and t o

4 501 Post St. (at M ason St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. &866/729-7182 or 415/441-7100. F ax 415/8858842. w ww.shellhospitality.com. 142 units (all ar e studio suit es with k ing beds and sleep sofas). $209 $295. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $20 plus tax or $6/hr. with in-and-out privileges. Amenities: Restaurant; health club; Jacuzzi; sauna; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, dataport, high-speed Internet access, fridge, kitchenette, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

Crepevine Finds AMERICAN/CREPES This is where we take the kids on a w eekend day when we re on the way to or from the playground and we want a place where we can get a table, order quickly, and enjoy healthy, well-prepared food everyone will like. Although it s always packed on weekends, the ambitious host works hard to gets patrons seated quickly and, given the restaurant s large size, he usually does. While you wait for the table, peruse the massive menu board above the counter. The crepes that give the place its names ar e all good the Californian miles from phoenix to sedona with av ocado, cheddar, and salsa is quite tasty and the kids love the simple miles from phoenix to sedona ham and cheese combo as are the omelets, salads, and sandwiches. The food will be served quickly, in hearty portions, and you ll soon be fortified miles from phoenix to sedona for more sightseeing or, should the fashion-conscious members of y our family prevail, for some boutique window shopping on Fillmore Street. Other locations are in Noe Valley and the Sunset.

driving itinerary The hotel is close to sev eral SoMa attractions, including the SFMOMA and Yerba 87 Buena Center, and

Civic Center and Hayes Valley W ith the Asian Ar t Museum and impr essive buildings in the B eaux Ar ts ar chitectural style, Civic Center is a worthwhile stop for visitors. Bound b y G olden Gate Avenue and F ranklin, Hyde, and Market str eets, this is home to City Hall; the opera, ballet, and symphony driving itinerary stages; the ne w main librar y; and the Civic Center Plaza. However, as a meeting driving itinerary ground for much of the city s homeless population, the neighborhood is less than ideal after dar k. It s busy during the performing arts season, but even then, take a cab at night. The area has some hotels, but families should think twice before lodging around here.

The hotel is close to sev eral SoMa attractions, including the SFMOMA and Yerba 87 Buena Center, and the Montgomery Street Muni/BART station and F-Market streetcar stops are on the corner. At check-in, kids receive gift bags with cups and caps, as well as a list of kid-friendly sights and activities. Weekend specials can include rates w ell below the published rack rates.

of you can share a room pretty comfortably. Moreover, rooms are big enough to fit your 83 luggage and still leav e y ou space to walk. F inally, the bathr ooms may hav e outdated decor, but they are large enough to accommodate a fe w people trying to get their teeth brushed and hair combed at the same time. The 60 J acuzzi suites all featur e Jacuzzi tubs, and half have full kitchens, while the other half have kitchenettes with no stove. All have refrigerators, which come stocked with minibar items. There s also a small gr ocery store across the street for other items you may need. At breakfast time, you ll find coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit in the lobby, where you can also enjoy free Wi-Fi. Cats and dogs are welcome, but usually only in the smoking r ooms.

CHINESE When you walk into this fav ored joint at the edge of Chinatown, you ve got two options: pr oceeding upstairs to the fancier dining r oom, or descending into the basement. I f you have little ones with y ou, it s likely the host will send you downstairs. This troubled my husband gr eatly; the linoleum flooring, fluor escent lighting, and omnipresent mirrors of the downstairs dining room offended his aesthetic sensibilities. B ut the decor doesn t seem to bother most diners, who r eturn time and again to R&G for authentically prepared Cantonese fare featuring driving itinerary lots of fresh seafood and plenty of meat dishes as well. Salt-and-pepper crab is a big hit, as is the smoky barbecued driving itinerary pork. Something about putting all the dishes on a big lazy S usan seems to encourage adventuresome dining, driving itinerary at least with my kids, who happily munched on all kinds of crab, pork, and noodle dishes. For a real conversation-stopper, call 24 hours in advance and order the sweet-rice-stuffed chicken. 631 Kearny St. (at Commercial St.). &415/982-7877. www.rnglounge.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $7 $25 lunch, $10 $50 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11:30am 9:30pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus.

new york vietnam veterans memorial 90 MODERATE Holiday Inn F isherman s Wharf This is one of the fe w hotels in to wn with an outdoor p

INEXPENSIVE Hostelling International San Francisco, Fisherman s Wharf This option is best for small, adventurous families. Beds here are bunked dorm-style, and bathrooms are down the hall. What sets this place apart from other hostels is its location in the middle of a national park at Fort Mason. Through the windows of this converted army barrack, trees frame a view of Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay. Although most rooms are dorm style and hold 8 to 12 beds, a few rooms have only 3 or 4 beds. These smaller rooms have the best vistas and can be reserved for families. You ll find small lockers in lieu of closets, so bring locks. All guests have access to a full kitchen, complimentary continental breakfast, and a common area with a cozy fireplace. An on-site cafe serves lunch and dinner, and the friendly volunteers at the information desk can book tours. Although it s a great atmosphere, with interesting types of people fr om around the world, and y ou get free

90 MODERATE Holiday Inn F isherman s Wharf This is one of the fe w hotels in to wn with an outdoor pool and patio, fun to have when the weather cooperates. It s the best part of the property, which sits off busy North Point Street and Columbus Avenue. The entrance is welcoming, but the guest rooms, off a poorly lit hallway, are unimpressive, and some are rather new york vietnam veterans memorial bleak. B athrooms are better; new york vietnam veterans memorial while on the small side, they include some useful amenities such as magnifying mirr ors. The in-house restaurants are mediocre, although they do adhere to the Kids Eat F ree corporate promotion for guests under 12 dining with their parents. For the price, you can do better.

postal museum washington dc flat, making the E mbarcadero an easy reach the Hyde Street Pier, space opens family ride. S tart at

flat, making postal museum washington dc the E mbarcadero an easy reach the Hyde Street Pier, space opens family ride. S tart at the B ike Hut (see up. Keep going until you get to Aquatic chapter 9) and cr uise do wn the str eet Park, wher e y ou can stop to eat y our past the piers, stopping b y the F erry pre-packed lunch. Building postal museum washington dc to buy picnic food. Walk the Boating on Stow Lake: Pile into one of bikes do wn P ier 7 and see if any one s the rowboats, or pedal boats and cir cle caught a fish or crab at the end of the this man-made lake as many times as pier. Continue to ward P IER 39 and you can. R elax as y ou admire the tr ees Fisherman s Wharf. It may become postal museum washington dc too and revel in the laughter of the kids as crowded to pedal her e, but once y ou they attempt to keep the craft fr om

2455 Mason St. (at Nor th Point St.). &415/561-1111. www.cafepescatore.com. Kids menu, highchairs, boosters. postal museum washington dc Reservations accepted. Main courses $8.75 $17 lunch, $9 $22 dinner; kids menu $3.25 $6.95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Fri 7am 10:30am, 11:30am 10pm; Sat Sun 7am 10pm;. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Mason St., and then walk 1 block south. postal museum washington dc

What could be so special about an old prison? postal museum washington dc P lenty. To begin with, the ferr y ride over to Alcatraz I sland gives you the chance to get out onto the bay and see how lovely San Francisco looks fr om the water. O f course, most kids enjo y a fun boat ride as w ell. The prison audio tour , updated in late 200, is better than ev er, giving you the eerie sense of what it was like for prisoners, guar ds, and ev en the guards families to liv e on a windsw ept rock in the middle of the bay. You ll hear about some of the nation s most famous criminals and death-defying escape attempts sur e to enthrall kids and adults

Dedicated tourists should consider investing in Citypass, postal museum washington dc which includes a 7-day Muni passport and tickets to several attractions all at a significant discount. You ll get admission to the California Academy of Sciences, a Blue & Gold Bay Cruise, Aquarium by the Ba y, the San F rancisco Museum of M odern Art, and the Exploratorium. Instead of the Exploratorium, you can opt to visit the de Young Museum or the L egion of Honor (or both, if y ou see them on the same day). If you can manage t o visit all of the abo ve, the Citypass price of $59 f or adults and $44 for kids age 5 to 17 is very attractive. They can be purchased at the participating attractions, at the Visitor Information Center at Halladie Plaza, or online at www.citypass.com.

super holiday tours MODERATE Great Eastern Restaurant CHINESE The specialty here is seafood, which you can observe swimm

216 King St. (at 3rd St.). &415/546-6666. Cow Hollow: 2200 Lombard St. (at Steiner St.). &415/885-125 super holiday tours 4500. www.amicis.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations not accepted. Main courses super holiday tours $8.25 $30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. M on Thurs 11am 10pm; F ri 11am 11pm; Sat 11:30am 11pm; Sun 11:30am 10pm. Muni: N-Judah streetcar to the 4th and King Station, and then walk 1/2 block east on King St.

MODERATE Great Eastern Restaurant CHINESE The specialty here is seafood, which you can observe swimming ar ound in tanks against the back wall. D inner doesn t come fr esher than this, so if y ou re in the mood for steamed whole r ockfish, crab ser ved in a doz en ways, shrimp, lobster, or whatev er s in season, G reat Eastern is the best choice in the hood. Just don t let the waiter steer you away from the fish tanks toward more typical Chinese-American fare; you ll get the same food you could have gotten for less at a corner super holiday tours Chinese takeout joint. That s what happened to us some years back when we were tourists in San Francisco now we know better. Like the vast majority of Chinatown restaurants, this one has big tables for extended families. The basement dining r oom is comfortable, but w e prefer the upstairs. O ne of the nice things about eating in Chinatown is that you re almost expected to have kids in tow.

ww2 memorial washington dc For information on how to get a passport, go to Passports in the Fast Facts section in the appendix

Children of any age will be impr essed arriving at this landmark 1907 hotel, which adorns one side of Nob Hill with its imposing facade and colorful flags. Inside, the expansive lobby s high ceilings, marble columns, and chandeliers will leave little girls expecting Cinderella to turn up. Despite the splendor, ww2 memorial washington dc the overall feeling is relaxed and friendly. Guest rooms in the historic building are spacious by any standard, and the closets are so large that many will comfortably ww2 memorial washington dc fit a crib or even a rollaway! If you prefer separate showers and tubs and a stellar view select a room in the tower building. Numerous combinations of suites and r ooms, with king-size beds, queens, or double- doubles, are available.

Francisco s steepest str eets, giving y ou a good sense of the city s photogenic, hilly topography. You ll pass right b y the Cable Car Museum (p. 178). I f it s past 10am, take a moment to check it out. It s free and quite interesting. If it s closed, perhaps you can take a detour ww2 memorial washington dc there later when you are in Chinatown.

oven, coffeemaker, and plates and utensils. The two-bedroom suites also have two bath-97 rooms. The Huntington suite, complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a dining room, sleeps six. At $275 per day, that s a money-saving deal. Your kids might also get a kick out of the claw-foot tubs and faux antique telephones; par ents will appreciate the complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea and sherr y. The only downsides are smallish rooms and the inn s location ww2 memorial washington dc on a busy street (Pine Street is an oft-used one-way thoroughfare ww2 memorial washington dc from downtown to residential neighborhoods, so cars whiz b y in the afternoons). B ut it s not enough to deter the many families who come for the inn s kitchenette suites. If you want one of them, you should reserve it well in advance.

For information on how to get a passport, go to Passports in the Fast Facts section in the appendix at the end of this book the w ebsites listed pr ovide do wnloadable passpor t applications as w ell as the curr ent fees for pr ocessing passpor t applications. I nternational visitors can obtain a visa application at the w ebsite of the U.S. S tate D epartment at http:// travel.state.gov.

heurich house museum 500 Post St. (at M ason St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. &800/605-6568 or 415/771-8600. F ax 415/3980

Before you arrive in San Francisco, spend some time with the kids talking about the activities and attractions the city has to offer and make a list that includes both adult- oriented and kid-oriented sites. M ake a family calendar , but don t o verschedule; one outing in the morning and one in the afternoon is enough, because playing tourist can be exhausting. Once you ve all had some input into deciding wher e to go and what to do, give everyone old enough to carr y a backpack a copy of the itinerar y. That way, if someone star ts to whine about going to their chosen attraction, y ou can point to the calendar heurich house museum and remind them that their time will come. This advice is good no matter what ages your kids are, assuming that they are old enough to state an opinion.

500 Post St. (at M ason St.), San F rancisco, CA 94102. &800/605-6568 or 415/771-8600. F ax 415/3980267. www.jwmarriottunionsquare.com. 337 units, including 8 suites, all non-smoking. $299 $499 double; heurich house museum from $670 suite. Kids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways at varying prices; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $42; oversized heurich house museum vehicles heurich house museum $48. Amenities: Restaurant; fitness c enter; concierge; business center; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; heurich house museum dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

before H alloween for 2- to 12-y earolds. Pumpkin carving, entertainment, and crafts are among the day s offerings at this local treasure. Costumes are most appropriate. Call & 415/554-9600 or visit www.randallmuseum.org. Down at Yerba Buena Gardens, little ones will be pleased with the Gardens H alloween Costume Walk, wherein costumed kiddos collect goodies while it s still daylight. This takes place the Sunday before Halloween. Call & 415/543-1718 or visit www.ybgf.org.

indiana capitol building A better choice for families is at 28 Belden Place: Caf Tiramisu (&415/4217044; w ww.cafetiramisu.co

A better choice for families is at 28 Belden Place: Caf Tiramisu (&415/4217044; w ww.cafetiramisu.com). K ids will appr eciate the I talian far e, including pasta dishes ranging from $14 t o $18 at lunch and $14 t o $21 at dinner which those with smaller appetites can easily share. Main courses such as cioppino, Italian seafood stew, or veal scaloppini range from $17 to $23 (up to $34 at dinner). The most moderat ely pric ed pick of the bunch is P arisian-Bistro indiana capitol building inspired Caf Bastille (22 Belden Place; &415/986-5673). While parents savor French onion soup, quiche, or grilled steak and fries, kids can share a French hot dog on a baguett e with cheese and fries. Most lunch and dinner choic es are $9 to $18.50.

55 5th St. (bt w. Mission and Market sts.), San Francisco, CA 94103. &800/398-7555 or 415/543-8555. Fax 415/543-5885. www.hotelmilanosf.com. 108 units. $109 $299 double. Kids under 12 stay free in parent s r oom. A dditional person $20. Rolla ways $20; cribs fr ee. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet park ing $30; oversized vehicles $35. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; fitness center; concierge; room service (6am 1am); babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive level rooms. In room: A/C, TV, wireless high-speed Internet access, minibar, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe.

california dreamin balloon 5 In-N-Out Burger HAMBURGERS Having spent my teenage y ears in California, I can tell y ou that I n-

Crepe Express CREPES For an afternoon snack, y ou can t do better b y the kidlets than a thin crepe filled california dreamin balloon with Nutella and bananas and topped with whipped cream. That s living. This very casual cafe also ser ves savory crepes, baguette sandwiches, and salads. The food is good, but the cr epes are the reason to stop here.

601 Union St. (at Stockton St.). &415/421-5633. www.joedimaggiosrestaurant.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations recommended. Main courses $16 $38. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5 11pm. Muni: P owell- Mason cable car to Union St., and then walk 2 blocks east, or no. 30-Stockton bus to Union St.

To get the most bang for y our buck at any price point, california dreamin balloon timing helps. If your dates are flexible, california dreamin balloon you may benefit from reduced hotel rates. Downtown hotels are cheapest on weekends, whereas the opposite is usually tr ue in the M arina and F isherman s Wharf. During conventions, Union Square and SoMa hotel rates jump, but you could luck out if a hotel hasn t managed to sell all of its r ooms. I t may be willing to offer steep discounts. Another option is to look into hotels off the beaten track, such as in Japantown or Laurel Heights.

5 In-N-Out Burger HAMBURGERS Having california dreamin balloon spent my teenage y ears in California, california dreamin balloon I can tell y ou that I n-N-Out is a state wide phenomenon. california dreamin balloon F ans who insist it s the best fast food anywhere tell me what makes the burgers so good ar e the toasted buns, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomatoes. They also swoon o ver the extra-crisp , extra-thin california dreamin balloon fries, which ar e, in addition to a grilled-cheese sandwich, the only vegetarian option on the very short menu.

washington dc world war ii memorial Temp ( F) 58/46 61/49 62/49 65/50 65/51 68/53 68/54 69/56 71/56 70/55 64/51 59/47 Temp ( C) 14/8 16/

On the Fourth of July itself, the Waterfront Festival takes place ar ound PIER 39 and at Ghirardelli Square and culminates in a fir eworks show beginning at 9pm. Call & 415/705-5500 or visit www.pier39.com.

Temp ( F) 58/46 61/49 62/49 65/50 65/51 68/53 68/54 69/56 71/56 70/55 64/51 59/47 Temp ( C) 14/8 16/9 17/9 18/10 18/11 20/12 20/12 21/13 22/13 21/13 18/11 15/8 Rainfall (in.) 4.7 4.2 3.4 1.3.5.13.04.3 11.2 3 3 3.2

Too bad the Argonaut doesn t have a pool. Then again, if it did, the other wharf hotels might go out of business. When you call, ask whether the Neptune s Adventure washington dc world war ii memorial package is still available. At last check, washington dc world war ii memorial it granted a family of four a double queen room, passes to PIER 39 attractions and the H yde Street Pier, clever kids gifts, tickets for the cable car a mere block away, and a full br eakfast at the hotel s Blue Mermaid Chowder House

The vividly designed rooms and bathrooms are larger than those at the Serrano down the block; the doubles her e are just spacious enough for a crib. Suites come with a v ery large bathroom, sofa bed in the living r oom, a VCR, and two televisions.

visiting the capitol building Children generally lo ve riding on the streetcars and especially the cable cars. Inside the Muni/BAR

SFO (www.flysfo.com) consists of four main terminals: N orth ( Terminal 3), South (Terminal 1), Central (Terminal 2), and I nternational. The baggage lev el of each terminal also houses visiting the capitol building an information booth. Bank of America operates a branch on the mezzanine level of the North terminal, and y ou can locate A TMs on the upper level of all terminals. The number for general infor mation is & 650/8218211; for transit infor mation call &650/817-1717. The traveler s information desk in each terminal can also giv e you information on ho w to get wher e you re going.

Children generally lo ve riding on the streetcars and especially the cable cars. Inside the Muni/BART underground stations, keep y ourself and y our kids away from the edge of the platform. O n cable cars, y ou ar e not allo wed to hang body parts out the side, despite myriad photos showing people doing just that. I t s an excellent way to get hur t the minute a truck or a bus passes visiting the capitol building by. Jumping on or off a moving cable car is equally dangerous.

lodestar bus tours Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store ITALIAN This corner storefront could truthfully be called Mario s Bohem

To San F ranciscans, high-quality, sustain- lodestar bus tours ably pr oduced f ood needn t alwa ys be expensive or c omplicated. I t can, and should, be available in the everyday comfort f oods w e all enjo y. St ep inside and order a juic y bur ger made with locally raised meat and t opped with t omatoes and lettuc e fr esh fr om the F armer s M arket. Your taste buds will notice the difference lodestar bus tours between this and an or dinary diner, but your wallet won t. See p. 125.

Convention Center and M etreon, 47 with its o wn collection of kid-friendly attractions. D elightful bay vie ws and AT&T Park ar e ar ound the corner in nearby South Beach. Brand-new restaurants seem to pop up daily in this former industrial neighborhood. The

Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store ITALIAN This corner storefront could truthfully be called Mario s Bohemian Shoebox, it s so small. lodestar bus tours Gone are the days when y ou could find a cigar on the premises, much less smoke one; instead, Mario s has been serving big, warm focaccia sandwiches filled with meatballs or br eaded chicken lodestar bus tours cutlets, pizzas, salad, and drinks for more than 20 years. Grab a seat at the funky wooden counter and watch the waitress efficiently fill the drink or ders while the cook pr epares the food in a miniature oven. Kids will lo ve the Torani Italian syrups used to make sodas. You can also get the sandwiches to go, to enjoy them in Washington lodestar bus tours Park across the street.

2030 Union St. (bt w. Buchanan & Webster sts.). &415/929-8855. w ww.betelnutrestaurant.com. K ids menu, boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $9.50 $21. DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun Thurs 11:30am 11pm; Fri Sat 11:30am midnight. Muni: No. 41-Union or no. 45-Union-Stockton.

chelsea market tour 447 Bush St. (btw. Grant and Kearny sts.), San Francisco, CA 94108. &800/956-4322or 415/965-3232. Fa

The city s 790,000-plus residents include ethnicities from every corner of the globe. Enclaves of African-American, Chinese, El Salvadoran, Brazilian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, M iddle Eastern, R ussian, and Vietnamese r esidents, among others, make it possible for locals and visitors alike to experience a world of cultur es within 47 squar e miles. San Francisco s cosmopolitan roots can be traced to the gold rush. Before then the sleepy to wn of Yerba B uena settled b y the S panish in 1776, claimed b y M exico in 1822, and declared part of the U.S. (and r enamed chelsea market tour San Francisco) in 1848 was little more than a military chelsea market tour outpost, a port, and some ranchland. That all changed when newspaper publisher Sam Brannan took it upon himself in 1849 to publicize the discovery of gold in the American River, 130 miles east.

447 Bush St. (btw. Grant and Kearny sts.), San Francisco, CA 94108. &800/956-4322or 415/965-3232. Fax 415/956-0399. www.sfhoteldesarts.com. 43 units. $75 $250 double; $110 $279 suite. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. No rollaways; chelsea market tour no cribs. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Self-parking $26. Amenities: Concierge, chelsea market tour non-smoking rooms. In room: TV, complimentary high-speed wir eless access, fridge, iron (most rooms).

graffiti tour nyc Best Burger: At $7 for a cheeseburger , cheap. Considering they re made with the burgers atBurger Jo

222 Mason St. (btw. Ellis and O Farrell sts.), San Francisco 94102. &800/248-3308 graffiti tour nyc or 415/394-1111. Fax 415/394-1106. w ww.hotelnikkosf.com. 533 units , including 22 suit es. $189 $359 double; $350 $2,900 suite. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $30; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40; oversized vehicles $45. P ets welcome. Amenities:Restaurant; pool; health club; spa (as of 2009); concierge; business center; JTB Travel agency; Enterprise Car Rental; salon; gift shop; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive level rooms. In room: A/C, TV, fax, dataport, wireless Internet access, minibar, fridge (on request), coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod dock.

Best Burger: At $7 for a cheeseburger , cheap. Considering they re made with the burgers atBurger Joint (700 Haight only the finest ingr edients, including St.; & 415/864-3833 and 807 Valen-naturally raised N iman Ranch beef , cia St.; & 415/824-3494) don t come they re worth every penny. See p. 142.

the hop bus schedule When y ou step out of the dar kened Exploratorium Hall into the light of day , take a moment to appr

(1) 1 liter of wine or har d liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are 17 offered to trav elers who spend at least 72 hours in the U nited States and who hav e not claimed the hop bus schedule them within the pr eceding 6 months. It is forbidden to bring into the country foodstuffs (par ticularly fr uit, cooked meats, and canned goods) and plants (v egetables, seeds, tr opical plants, and the like). Foreign tourists may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or for eign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declar ed to U.S. C ustoms on entering or leaving, which includes the hop bus schedule filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Bor der P rotection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or

For HIV-positive visitors, r equirements for entering the U nited S tates ar e somewhat v ague and change fr equently. For up-to-the-minute information, contact AIDSinfo (&800/448-0440 or 301/ 519-6616 outside the U.S.; www.aidsinfo. nih.gov) or the Gay Men s Health Crisis (&212/367-1000; www.gmhc.org).

When y ou step out of the dar kened Exploratorium Hall into the light of day , take a moment to appr eciate the lo vely scenery at the Palace of Fine Arts (p. 161) abutting the E xploratorium. H ave y our kids look at the ducks and run on the grass before heading nor th on B aker S treet, crossing M arina Boulev ard and continuing to the water s edge. Walk onto the breakwater, wher e y ou ll see the bizarr e Wave Organ (p. 202), created by scientists from the Exploratorium.

If you have just 1 day in San Francisco, this itinerary introduces you to many of the city s most famous attractions without leaving your kids, or you, in a heap. You ll visit Union Square, ride a scenic the hop bus schedule cable car r oute, tour F isherman s Wharf, take a br eak in N orth Beach, and gape at the sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown. While it seems like a lot,

boston duck 4 Hostelling In ternational S an F rancisco Downtown For less than $30 per person, your family can e

A novel set in the city can also act as a catalyst to interest older children. In Peppermints in the P arlor (Atheneum, 1980), by B arbara B rooks Wallace, r ecently orphaned E mily L uccock finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery in Golden Gate Park when she mo ves to S an Francisco to liv e with her aunt and uncle. I n Sid Fleischman s By the Great Horn Spoon! (Little Brown & Co., 1963), a 12-year-old boy strikes it rich in S an Francisco during the gold r ush after sto wing away on a journey from Boston.

Close to the tony Pacific Heights neighborhood, quiet Japantown is home to two hotels that offer more for your money than you ll find in more highly touristed areas. You won t be in the center of the action, but multiple bus lines can get y ou there quickly. Plus, Japantown s Asian shops and r estaurants will add an extra sense of adv enture to y our family vacation.

4 Hostelling In ternational S an F rancisco Downtown For less than $30 per person, your family can experience dorm life in an old San Francisco style building right in the heart of Union Square. Occupying five sparsely decorated floors, rooms here are simple and clean. Each has two or three bunk beds with linens, a sink, a closet, and lockers (bring your own locks or buy some at the front desk). Although most private rooms share hallway bathrooms, a few have private facilities. Prices are per person in the dorm rooms and per double boston duck bed in the private room. Since kids under 12 are an additional $14 per night, the hostel option boston duck becomes less of a deal when y ou add more than one child. Among sev eral common r ooms is a large kitchen-style r oom with r efrigerator space, toasters, and a microwave, but no stoves or ranges.

sublime with rome tour 2011 Even the traditionally laid out roads are confusing when a hill gets in the way and the street ends

Even the traditionally laid out roads are confusing when a hill gets in the way and the street ends abruptly only to emerge on the other side, which is par ticularly annoying if you re driving. Travel sublime with rome tour 2011 with a map; I like the San Francisco Transit Rider Map and Guide (see Maps in the Fast Facts section of the appendix for details on finding one). Numbered streets, by the way , ar e do wntown, south of M arket S treet. N umbered avenues (notice the subtle difference) are found in the Richmond and Sunset districts southwest of downtown.

MODERATE Pazzia ITALIAN This restaurant, sublime with rome tour 2011 a quick walk from the Yerba Buena Center and the Museum of Modern Art, serves simple and satisfying sublime with rome tour 2011 dishes like excellent pizza, delicious pasta, and roasted meats and chicken. The uncomplicated menu is a delightful California twist on traditional Italian fare. The staff is warm and friendly to kids, and it s definitely a family-oriented little place. If you re in the area and want a real, sit-down meal, there s no better sublime with rome tour 2011 pick for the price.

Nob H ill Along California S treet from Leavenworth to S tockton streets, Nob Hill is one of the oldest and most fashionable neighborhoods in to wn. It was once the ex clusive turf of the railroad bar ons Leland S tanford, M ark Hopkins, Charles Crocker, and Collis P. Huntington collectively known as the Big Four. The properties where their mansions once stood now support fancy hotels, a private sublime with rome tour 2011 club, expensive apartment buildings, and the striking G race Cathedral. This is a wonderful place for families to stay: The largely r esidential feel of Huntington Park provides a nice respite from the congestion of the city center, y et it s just a 5-minute walk from Union Square. Also, the California cable car line r uns right by most of the hotels. The downside for those on foot is a steep uphill walk fr om Union Square sublime with rome tour 2011 to get back to the hotel. There s also cost: M ost of the hotels her e ar e lovely, but also quite pricey.

2142 Chestnut St. (bt w. St einer and P ierce sts.). &415/474-6888. w ww.dragonwell.com. H ighchairs, sublime with rome tour 2011 boosters. M ain c ourses $7.50 $8.50 lunch; sublime with rome tour 2011 $8 $12 dinner. MC, V. Daily 11:30am 10pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Steiner St.

pictures of the capitol building Civic Center and Hayes Valley W ith the Asian Ar t Museum and impr essive buildings in the B eaux Ar

Bring a current, go vernment-issued photo ID such as a driver s license pictures of the capitol building or passport. Keep your ID at the ready to show at check-in, the security checkpoint, and sometimes even the gate. Childr en under 18 do not need go vernment-issued photo IDs for domestic flights, but they do for international flights to most countries.

The hillcrest where San Francisco s early millionair es built their mansions is home to some of the city s most elegant hotels. Views from guest rooms here are among the best in town, and the ar ea feels residential even though it s just a fe w blocks from the city center. Kids will enjoy the nearby park and playground. The downside for little ones is the steep walk uphill from Union Square, but you can always catch the California cable car line, which runs close by. Room rates here are very high, but if your timing is right you may get a good deal.

Civic Center and Hayes Valley W ith the Asian Ar t Museum and impr essive buildings in the B eaux Ar ts ar chitectural style, Civic Center is a worthwhile stop for visitors. Bound b y G olden Gate Avenue and F ranklin, Hyde, and Market str eets, this is home to City Hall; the opera, ballet, and symphony stages; pictures of the capitol building the ne w main librar y; and the Civic Center Plaza. However, as a meeting ground for much of the city s homeless population, the neighborhood is less than ideal after dar k. It s busy during the performing arts season, but even then, take a cab at night. The area has some hotels, but families should think twice before lodging around here.

vietnam veterans memorial wiki BART is another option. You can catch the AirBART shuttle (&510/465-2278), which r uns ev ery 15 min

BART is another option. You can catch the AirBART shuttle (&510/465-2278), which r uns ev ery 15 minutes vietnam veterans memorial wiki in fr ont of either terminal. The far e is $2 for adults and 50 for childr en for the 15-minute ride to the O akland Coliseum BART station. From there, you ll transfer to a BART train into San Francisco; the fare is $3.15.

MAY Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is a major Mexican festiv al celebrating the B attle of P uebla against F rench occupation forces in 1862. A parade down Mission Street is followed by a festival at Civic Center P laza with music, ar ts, crafts, low-rider cars, and delicious food that most kids will lo ve. The parade is fr ee; the festival has a small admission charge of ar ound $5 for adults (fr ee for kids under 12). Visit www.sfcincodemayo. com. This fiesta is more family-oriented than Carnaval (www.carnaval.com) later in the month, which is wilder and very crowded.

EXPENSIVE San Francisco Marriott I first checked out this hotel because it has a pool, and as I stated at the beginning of this chapter , I intend to list as many hotels with pools as possible provided they re wor th listing. When I walked into the lobb y, I star ted to wonder. Serving guests vietnam veterans memorial wiki in a whopping 1,498 r ooms (!), the lobb y of this confer enceoriented hotel is predictably frenetic and crowded at most times of the day. The escalator ride up from the lobby takes you to the mezzanine level, inside an ambitious four-story

The U.S. National vietnam veterans memorial wiki Park Service offers a Golden Age Passport that gives seniors 62 y ears or older lifetime entrance to all properties vietnam veterans memorial wiki administer ed b y the N ational Park Service national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife r efuges for a one-time pr ocessing fee of $10, which must be pur chased vietnam veterans memorial wiki in person at any NPS facility that charges an entrance fee. B esides fr ee entr y, a Golden Age P assport also offers a 50% discount on federal-use fees charged for such facilities as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. F or more information, go to www.nps.gov/ fees_passes.htm or call &888/467-2757.

hop city hours Chinatown H oliday I nn acr oss fr om P ortsmouth S quare on K earny S treet. R emind everyone to us

BAKERY You used to hav e to get her e early to claim one of the outdoor tables on a sunny day, but as of this writing the Boulange hop city hours de Polk is temporarily closed while it expands into the space next door. My guess is the new, larger hop city hours establishment will still be packed. Indeed, this always-busy French bakery, which proudly uses organic flour in its delectable cr eations, is so popular that ev ery neighborhood seems to have a Boulange branch. Whichever location you visit, if it s the morning and you order a cappuccino and an almond croissant, or a chewy baguette with sweet butter and jam, you ll be transported to the Marais hop city hours in Paris. at least until y our kids yelps yank you back to r eality. Lunch items include smoked salmon quiche and tartines (savory tarts) served with salad. Kids will enjo y the chocolate croissants for breakfast or the ham and cheese baguette for lunch. (The original hop city hours Boulange was at 2325 Pine St. Now you can find the bakeries at 1000 Cole S t., 1909 U nion St., 2043 F illmore St., and 543 Columbus Ave. in North Beach.) 2300 Polk St. (at Gr een St.). &415/345-1107. www.baybread.com. Lunch items $3.25 $10. MC, V, AE. Daily 7am 7pm. Muni: No. 19-Polk to Green St., no. 41-Union, or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Van Ness Ave. and Union St., and then walk 1 block south and 1 block east.

The San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau operates the Visitor Information Center on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza on Powell and Market streets (&415/3912000; www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com). The staff is multilingual hop city hours and genuinely helpful. Visit the information center for books; maps; Municipal Railway passes hop city hours for buses, streetcars, hop city hours and cable cars; souv enirs; and tons of br ochures to guide y ou fur ther. I t s open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm and w eekends 9am to 3pm.

Chinatown H oliday I nn acr oss fr om P ortsmouth S quare on K earny S treet. R emind everyone to use the toilet after lunch if you are eating at a restaurant. Nursing moms can feel free to feed their babies on a park bench here or anywhere in town, really. Just throw a blanket over your shoulder and chest for a little priv acy.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING CHINATOWN hop city hours N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper hop city hours Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia hop city hours St.Cordelia St. Cadell hop city hours Pl.Cadell hop city hours Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac St.Kerouac St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley Pl.Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa Pl. Kearny St.Kearny St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant St.Merchant St. Commercial St.Commercial St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton hop city hours St.Stockton St. Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL hop city hours NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph Hill(Pioneer) Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable hop city hours CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper hop city hours Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell hop city hours Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo Pl. Beckett St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St. TELEGRAPH HILLTunnel Filbert hop city hours Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant hop city hours St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo hop city hours St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica Pyramid Washington Square Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth hop city hours Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio s Italian Chophouse 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola hop city hours 6 Trattoria Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway N Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny hop city hours St.Kearny St. Varennes St.Varennes St. Jasper Pl.Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl.Bannam Pl. TurkTurkMurphyMurphyLn.Ln. Cordelia St.Cordelia St. Cadell Pl.Cadell Pl. Sonoma St.Sonoma St. Margrave Pl.Margrave Pl. Fresno St.Fresno St. Gold St.Gold St. JackJackKerouac hop city hours St.Kerouac St. Romolo Pl.Romolo Pl. Beckett St.Beckett St. WentworthWentworthPl.Pl. Waverley Pl.Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl.Genoa Pl. Kearny St.Kearny St. Montgomery St.Montgomery St. Greenwich St.Greenwich St. Filbert St.Filbert St. Union St.Union St. Washington St.Washington St. Merchant St.Merchant St. Commercial St.Commercial St. Sacramento St.Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St.Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St.Vallejo St. BroadwayBroadwayMason St.Mason St. Powell St.Powell St. Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St.Stockton St. Columbus hop city hours Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave.Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave.Pacific Ave. Jackson St.Jackson St. Green St.Green St. TELEGRAPHTELEGRAPH HILLHILL NORTHNORTH BEACHBEACH CHINATOWNCHINATOWN hop city hours TransamericaTransamericaPyramidPyramidWashingtonWashingtonSquareSquareTelegraph HillTelegraph hop city hours Hill(Pioneer) Park(Pioneer) ParkPortsmouthPortsmouthSquareSquareJoe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioPlaygroundPlaygroundJACKSONJ A C K S O N SQUARES Q U A R E HISTORICH I S T O R I C DISTRICTD I S T R I C T CoitCoitTowerTower hop city hours Filbert StepsFilbert StepsGreenwich StepsGreenwich StepsPowell-Hyde &Powell-Hyde & Powell-MasonPowell-MasonCable CarsCable CarsGrant Ave.Grant Ave. Kearny St. Varennes St. Jasper Pl. Bannam Pl. TurkMurphyLn. Cordelia St. Cadell Pl. Sonoma St. Margrave Pl. Romolo Pl. Beckett St. WentworthPl. Waverley Pl. Genoa Pl. Kearny St. Montgomery St. Mason St. Powell hop city hours St. Stockton St.Stockton St. TELEGRAPH hop city hours HILLTunnel Filbert Steps Fresno St. Gold St. Jack Kerouac St. Greenwich St. Filbert St. Union St. Washington St. Merchant St. Commercial St. Sacramento St. Clay St.Clay St. Vallejo St. Broadway. Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave. Pacific Ave. Jackson St. Green St. NORTH BEACH CHINATOWN Transamerica Pyramid Washington Square hop city hours Telegraph Hill (Pioneer) Park Portsmouth Square Joe DiMaggio Playground JACKSON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Coit Tower Greenwich Steps Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason Cable Cars 52 1 7 8 10 11 1413 12 4 6 15 3 9 16 Bocadillos 15 Gelato Classico hop city hours 8 Great Eastern Restaurant 13 Hunan Home s Restaurant 12 Il Pollaio 3 Joe DiMaggio hop city hours s Italian Chophouse 7 Lichee Garden 9 L Osteria del Forno 4 Mario s Bohemian hop city hours Cigar Store 5 Molinari 11 Naan-N-Curry 14 Pasta Pomodoro 2 R&G Lounge 16 Rose Pistola 6 Trattoria Contadina 1 Victoria Pastry Co. 10 100 yds 100 m 0 0 Cable car Stairway Dining Near Chinatown & North Beach 119

capitol building raleigh Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upb

757 Market St. (at 3rd St.), San Francisco, CA 94103. &415/633-3000. Fax 415-633-3001. www.fourseasons. com/sanfrancisco. 277 units. $439 $600 double; capitol building raleigh from $845 suite. $30 for 3rd adult in room; kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. No rollaways; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $46. Small pets welcome (1 per room). Amenities: Restaurant; bar; health club; concierge; courtesy car; business center; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/movies, games, data- port, high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker (on request), hair dryer, iron, safe, iPod dock.

Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upbringing of its friendly owners, three Greek Orthodox Christian br others who w ere raised in the O ld City of J erusalem. The specialties ar e Middle Eastern/Mediterranean spit-roasted lamb gyros in pita bread and falafel capitol building raleigh wraps are among the choices but y ou ll find all-American tur key, club , and R euben sandwiches on the menu as w ell. The Blue Front is also a good br eakfast capitol building raleigh spot, ser ving up three-egg omelets, toasted bagels, and br eakfast wraps in M editerranean lavash br ead. The room is nothing fancy wooden tables are close together with plenty of people reading capitol building raleigh their papers and nursing their coffees but the huge Genie hanging out front blends in well with the colorful capitol building raleigh neighborhood.

scenic helicopter tours pigeon forge tn Amici s East C oast Pizzeria PIZZA Located across the street from AT&T Park, this is the second S an

Amici s East C oast Pizzeria PIZZA Located across the street from AT&T Park, this is the second S an Francisco location (the other is in Co w Hollow) of this r egional pizza joint specializing in East Coast style pizzas baked in wood-fir ed brick o vens. Although it s not my very favorite pizza in the city, it is pretty good, and there aren t too many other reasonably priced options near the ballpark. The menu features several other items as well, including an assortment of pastas, hearty sandwiches such as Italian sausage or eggplant parmigiana, and salads (the Caesar salad is quite tasty). With friendly waiters, crayons, scenic helicopter tours pigeon forge tn and speedy service, scenic helicopter tours pigeon forge tn what more could you need? Kids can get a mini cheese pizza for $7.75, or a small plate of plain noodles for just $2.50.

Hotel Del S ol Once upon a time, the D el Sol was a modest motel with the good fortune to be located in Cow Hollow, away from noisy Lombard Street. Then the clever hospitality company, Joie de Vivre, came along. Many gallons of bright yellow, green, and blue paint later, a star was born. She s even got the swimming pool, hammocks, and palm trees to pr ove it. M ost of the all-nonsmoking guest r ooms and suites surr ound a tiled,

austin duck adventures Shopping at the F erry Plaza Farmer s Eating Shrimp Dumplings for Break- Market: P erhaps y ou hav e

Shopping at the F erry Plaza Farmer s Eating Shrimp Dumplings for Break- Market: P erhaps y ou hav en t had a chance lately to stop and smell the roses, admire the tomatoes, or compare the peaches. I f that s the case, hop on the F-M arket str eetcar to the F erry Building and take a str oll ar ound the best outdoor mar ket in the B ay Ar ea. It s a Saturday morning ritual for a great fast: I f crab claws, por k buns, and steamed dumplings ar en t y our idea of Sunday brunch, it s time to branch out from omelets and pancakes. One of our favorite w eekend morning activities is gathering with friends at a large table with a lazy S usan in the middle, while servers bring trays laden with bite-siz ed many San Franciscans who come down with their baskets and car efully select Chinese delicacies. austin duck adventures I f y ou re planning on staying downtown, Yank Sing is the the season austin duck adventures s finest from organic farmers and local pur veyors of fr esh sausages, place to go (O ne Rincon Center , 101 Spear St., at M ission St.; & 415/781free- range meats, oliv e oils, honey, and 1111). I f y ou re planning a walk at baked goods. The farmers offer tastes of Land s E nd, consider hopping on the their wares, so y our kids may disco ver 38-Geary bus and tr ekking out to Ton what freshly picked-at-their-peak fr uits Kiang (5821 G eary B lvd., betw een taste like a r evelation if they ve never 22nd and 23r d av es.; & 415/752had a per fectly ripe pear or apricot. 4440) for a hear ty pr e-hike br unch. Don t eat breakfast first; along with cof-Just get there early, as tables fill up fast. fee drinks and a huge array of morning See p. 124 and p. 152. breads, pastries, and sw eets fr om the Strolling thr ough Chinato wn: J ust very nicest bakeries, local r estaurants steps away from Union Square, you can serve specialties that taste ev en better enter another world one decorated by eaten with a vie w of the bay. A mor e bright r ed, gr een, and gold banners. limited farmers market is also open on The knickknack shops, austin duck adventures traditional Tuesdays. See p. 161. herbalists, vendors of ceremonial papers

1075 California St. (at Taylor St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/227-4683 austin duck adventures or 415/474-5400. Fax 415/ 474-6227. www.huntingtonhotel.com. 135 units. From $315 double; from $540 suite. Kids 5 and under stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $30; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking austin duck adventures $39. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; pool (16 and over only); spa/exercise room; concierge; courtesy car; room service (6am 11:30pm); massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/movies, fax, wireless high-speed Internet access, kitchenettes available, hair dryer, safe, CD player (on request), iPod dock.

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flat, making the E mbarcadero an easy reach the Hyde Street Pier, space opens family austin duck adventures ride. S tart at the B ike Hut (see up. Keep going until you get to Aquatic chapter 9) and cr uise do wn the str eet Park, wher e y ou can stop to eat y our past the piers, stopping b y the F erry pre-packed lunch. Building to buy picnic food. Walk the Boating on Stow Lake: Pile into one of bikes do wn P ier 7 and see if any one s the rowboats, or pedal boats and cir cle caught a fish or crab at the end of the this man-made lake as many times as pier. Continue to ward P IER 39 and you can. R elax as y ou admire the tr ees Fisherman austin duck adventures s Wharf. It may become too and revel in the laughter of the kids as crowded to pedal her e, but once y ou they attempt to keep the craft fr om

boston duck Ghirardelli Sq., 900 North Point St. &415/474-3938. www.ghirardelli.com. Desserts $5 $9. Sun Thurs 9

Ghirardelli Sq., 900 North Point St. &415/474-3938. www.ghirardelli.com. Desserts $5 $9. Sun Thurs 9am 11pm; Fri Sat 9am midnight; Ice Cream shop opens at 10am. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Larkin St., and then walk 1 block north, or Powell-Hyde cable car to Beach St., and then walk 1 block west.

Cannery, with boats suspended from the ceiling, heavy wood columns wrapped in ship-131 ping rope, and hand-painted posters depicting adv ertisements of long-gone canned fish and produce exporters. Outdoor seating in the lovely Cannery courtyard is also available. Kids meals, like fish sticks or hot dogs, ar e ser ved up with fr ench fries in blue beach buckets. Tip: Stick to the traditional cho wders, like the M anhattan or N ew England, which are tastier than the restaurant s much touted Dungeness corn and crab chowder. boston duck

Koh Samui & The Monkey THAI Thai seems to be the ne w Chinese, with spring rolls and pad Thai having taken the place of broccoli beef and cashew boston duck chicken as favored boston duck take-out fare. But if you want a break from the typical Thai food you find most places these days, come to K oh S amui. Combinations sur e to whet y our appetite include crushed sesame scallops in yellow curry sauce or pumpkin curry chicken. boston duck Certainly, you ll find plenty of familiar menu items, from green papaya salad to green curry chicken. For the kids, order the wok-tossed noodles with peanut sauce or ev en some of the satays. As long as y ou steer clear of anything mar ked with an asterisk (for spicy), the kids will be fine. Be sure to order the fried bananas for dessert. The Monkey boston duck part of the name refers to the attractive shop next door, which sells Thai antiques.

rick steves spain itinerary 2355 Chestnut St. (btw. Scott and Divisadero sts.). &415/771-2216. www.a16sf.com. Highchairs, booste

Pier 43 1/2 (at Embar cadero). & 415/362-7733. w ww.franciscanrestaurant.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. Reservations accepted. Main courses $10 $50; kids menu $5. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am 11pm. Muni: F-Market streetcar to Mason St.

10 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 247 1 2 The Big Venues. 248 Comings & Goings.249Seasonal Events. 254 6 7 8 Movies. 263Dance. 265Circus Shows. 265 3 4 5 Weekend Shows. 255Theater. 256 What to Do If You Have a Sitter.258Concerts. 261 9 10 11 Spectator Sports. rick steves spain itinerary 265 Take Me Out to the Ballpark.266Story Hours. 267Arcades. 268 All-Ages Music Venues.262

2355 Chestnut St. (btw. Scott and Divisadero sts.). rick steves spain itinerary &415/771-2216. www.a16sf.com. Highchairs, boosters. 135 Reservations r ecommended. rick steves spain itinerary M ain c ourses $6 $16 lunch, $10 $25 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Wed Fri lunch 11:30am 2:30pm; Sun Thurs dinner 5 10pm; Fri Sat 5 11pm. Muni: No. 30-Stockton bus to Scott St.

andeantravelweb the American Conser vatory Theater gives Scrooge nightmar es in its annual per formances of A Christ

San Francisco is well known as a bastion of gay and lesbian households, many of which include kids. If you hope to connect with any, start by contacting Our Family Coalition (& 415/981-1960; www.our family.org), a grass-r oots organization for families with gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender members. Check their w ebsite for a calendar of social and educational events. You might also want to visit the San Francisco Lesbian, G ay, B isexual, and Transgender Community Center at 1800 Market S t., S an F rancisco, CA 94102 (&415/865-5555; www.sfcenter.org). It s easily r eached on the F-M arket and J-Church andeantravelweb str eetcars. O ther sites to check out include www.familypride.org, www. gayparentingpage.com, and www.rfamily vacations.com.

The Youth Arts Festival is a w eeklong exhibition of the visual, per forming, and literary arts by middle school and high school students thr oughout the city. The opening day of the festiv al, which takes place at Yerba Buena Center, is the most ex citing, with activities and an awards presentation. Admission andeantravelweb is free. Call & 415/543-1718 or visit www.ybgf.org.

the American Conser vatory Theater gives Scrooge nightmar es in its annual per formances of A Christmas C arol. The air is crisp, the temperatures cool. You won t go home with a tan, but you can have quite a bit of fun.

550 Geary St. (btw. Taylor and Jones sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/228-8830 or 415/775-5000. Fax 415/775-9388. www.thehoteladagio.com. 171 units, including 2 penthouse suit es. From $169 double; from $329 suite. Kids under 18 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways and cribs $20. AE, DC, DISC, MC,

duck tour west palm beach VIETNAMESE This may well be the most popular r estaurant in San Francisco. No matter that it has twi

342 Grant Ave. (at Bush St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/800-1299 or 415/394-0500. Fax 415/3940555. w ww.hoteltriton.com. 140 units , including 7 suit es. $109 $149 double; suit es fr om $269. K ids under 12 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $13; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $38. Pets

VIETNAMESE This may well be the most popular duck tour west palm beach r estaurant in San Francisco. No matter that it has twice r elocated to bigger spaces, mo ving from its original site in the M ission to a larger space in the E mbarcadero to its curr ent location in an enormous corner of the F erry B uilding. The huge space, o verlooking the water and framed by walls of glass, is still nearly impossible to get into without reservations. Even the expansive bar ar ea has an hour-long wait on w eekend evenings. But fame has not made Charles Phan, the owner behind this success story, rest on his laurels. The restaurant continues to produce mouth-watering duck tour west palm beach delicacies based on traditional duck tour west palm beach Vietnamese dishes such

pesach levy tours This is an optional stop primarily for sports fans, but if you choose to visit you ll have less time

This is an optional stop primarily for sports fans, but if you choose to visit you ll have less time for the attractions in SoMa. If y ou do go, public transpor tation will prove more efficient than feet, so take the N-Judah streetcar headed to ward AT&T Park. Get off at the 2nd & King S tation. On non-game days, the ballpar k has a playground just for kids. After the kids have had a chance to play , take the no. 15-3rd St. bus to 3rd and Mission streets. See p. 265.

On the Fourth of July itself, the Waterfront Festival takes place ar ound PIER 39 and at Ghirardelli Square and culminates in a fir eworks show beginning pesach levy tours at 9pm. Call & 415/705-5500 or visit www.pier39.com.

When Nature pesach levy tours Calls: The best public r estroom here is on the H yde Street Pier. Public bathrooms are also located on the second floor of The Cannery, at Ghirardelli, and on PIER 39. Nursing moms will have to grab a blanket and a bench. Try the courtyard at The Cannery or the east side of P IER 39.

terry flynn tours Starting at the P ine Street side of Belden Plac e is Brindisi Cucina di Mar e (88 Belden Plac e; &

Starting at the P ine Street side of Belden Plac e is Brindisi Cucina di Mar e (88 Belden Plac e; & 415/593-8000), specializing in I talian seaf ood. F rom stuffed calamari and seafood risotto to plenty of kid-friendly pasta, most main courses are less than $24. Belden Taverna (52 Belden Place; &415/986-8887) serves excessively rich grilled meats and seaf ood, and a f ew pasta choices as well. Entrees range from $16 to $25.

471 Jeff erson St. (at H yde St.). & 415/771-2222. www.bluemermaidsf.com. K ids menu , highchairs , boosters. Reservations accepted. Main courses $9 $25; kids menu $6.95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun Thurs 7am 9pm; Fri Sat 7am 10pm. Muni: Powell-Hyde cable car to Beach St., and then walk 1 block nor th.

384 Hayes St. (bt w. Franklin and Gough sts.) &415/626-1211. Highchairs, boosters. Main items about $10. AE, V, MC. Mon Fri 8am 8pm; Sat 9am 8pm; Sun 9am 5pm. Muni: No. 12-Hayes bus to Gough St., or streetcar to Van Ness Station.

andean travel 61 S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R I E S 3 T H E B E S T O F S A N F RA N C I S CO I N 2 D AYS 101

61 S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R I E S 3 T H E B E S T O F S A N F RA N C I S CO I N 2 D AYS 101 101 101 1 1 1 University of San Francisco Main Campus University of San Francisco Lone Mountain Campus Lake St. Clement St.Geary Blvd.Anza St.Balboa St.Cabrillo St. Lincoln WayLincoln Way Lincoln WayLincoln Way 43rd Ave. 25th Ave. 14th St. Duboce Ave. Stanyan St.Ashbury St. Masonic St. St. Castro Bay St. Chestnut St.Lombard St. Broadway St. California St. California St. Geary Blvd. Turk St.Golden Gate Ave.Octavia Blvd. Fulton andean travel St. Oak St. Haight St. Van Ness Ave. 19th19th Ave. 10th Ave.8th Ave. Jackson St. Park Presidio Blvd. Arguello Blvd. Presidio Ave. Lyon St.Fillmore St. Gough St. Sacramento andean travel St. Franklin St. Divisadero St. Fulton St. Fulton St. 7th7th AveAve andean travel Market St. Union St. Marina Blvd.Fell St. Lincoln Blvd. Lincoln Blvd. Point Lobos Ave. John F. Kennedy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Old Mason St. Kezar Dr. Great Highway Spreckels Lake S a n F r a n c i s c o B a y O C E A N Stow China Beach Ocean BeachO c e a n B e a c h COW HOLLOW VISTA HAYES VALLEY JAPANTOWN THE MARINA PACIFIC HEIGHTS B aker Be a ch Buena Park A.J. Rossi Playground Corona Heights Park Duboce Park LINCOLN PANHANDLE GOLDEN GATE REC. AREA MASON G O L D E N G AT E N AT I O N A L R E C R E AT I O N A R E A T H E P R E S I D I O Presidio Park Marina GreenMarina Sutro Heights Park Balboa andean travel Natural Area Cr i s sy Field The Legion Exploratorium/ Palace of Fine Arts Golden Bridge andean travel Cliff House Clayton St. California St. McAllister St. Hayes St. 19th St Fulton St. 7th Ave P A C I F I C Lake Beach OUTER RICHMOND SEACLIFF LAUREL HEIGHTS PRESIDIO HEIGHTS ANZA INNER RICHMOND HAIGHTASHBURY WESTERN ADDITION Vista PARK GOLDEN GATE NAT L REC. AREA LAND SEND G O L D E N G A T E P A R K NAT L FORT A Golf Course Mountain Lake Park Alamo Square Lafayette Park Moscone Rec. Ctr. Alta Plaza Park Green of Honor de Young Museum California Academy of Sciences Kezar Stadium Mi i Japan Center Gate 9 8 9 5 7 1 2 3 4 6 Chestnut Street/ The Marina District Exploratorium and Palace of Fine Arts Wave Organ Crissy Field de Young Museum de Young Caf California Academy of Sciences Golden Gate Park 4 Ocean Beach 2

This solidly residential neighborhood is a good choice for young families or anyone who wants r espite andean travel fr om the urban jungle. S acramento S treet shopping has something for everyone, kids included, and Laur el Village, almost an old-fashioned strip mall, draws crowds of locals.

napa valley balloons inc San Francisco has a lot going for it. F or its geographic setting, it ranks as one of the loveliest

Nearly all upscale hot els ha ve c oncierges, and man y smaller inns off er c oncierge services from the front desk. Too often, these people go underutiliz ed by guests who don t know the full range of ser vices concierges can provide. Beyond mer ely g iving dir ections t o F isherman s Wharf, c oncierges ar e ther e to act as guests problem solvers. The best ones take r eal pleasure in helping, and the mor e challeng ing the r equest, the bett er. When y ou re on vacation, why not truly r elax, and let the c oncierge be y our personal assistant napa valley balloons inc during your stay?

U.S. (2 4 w eeks abr oad), and many include air fare, accommodations in university dormitories or modest inns, meals, and tuition. Members of AARP (formerly kno wn as the American Association of R etired

San Francisco has a lot going for it. F or its geographic setting, it ranks as one of the loveliest cities on ear th. The tolerant, open-minded napa valley balloons inc population includes a dynamic mix of cultures from around the globe. The city produces some of the most innovative cuisine in the country and is home to a plethora of cultural institutions as well. Finally, from this little nook in N orthern California, one can r eadily visit some of the most dramatic mountains, beautiful beaches, and stunning national par ks in the world.

greatest concentration napa valley balloons inc of hotels in every rate categor y, clothing stor es, galleries, and theaters. Equally plentiful napa valley balloons inc in Union Square napa valley balloons inc ar e r estaurants, although they cater mainly to tourists and businesspeople. napa valley balloons inc (With a few notable exceptions, San Francisco s better dining options, at

veterans memorial washington dc Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upb

If y ou or y our child suffer fr om a chronic illness, consult your doctor before veterans memorial washington dc your depar ture. F or conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, veterans memorial washington dc or hear t problems, wear a MedicAlert identification tag (& 888/ 633-4298; www.medicalert.org), which will immediately aler t doctors to y our condition veterans memorial washington dc and giv e them access to y our records thr ough M edic Aler t s 24-hour hotline.

Chinatown It s with good reason that Chinatown is the second most visited destination in S an F rancisco, behind Fisherman s Wharf. The densely populated ar ea betw een B roadway, Taylor, Bush, and M ontgomery str eets is ev ery bit as color ful, cr owded, and atmospheric as adv ertised. The much-photographed Dragon Gate entrance on Grant Street leads to one tourist shop after another, all visually enhanced by colorful banners in red, gold, and green.

Be sure to tell all of y our credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a r eport at the near est police pr ecinct. Your cr edit card company or insur er may r equire a police report number veterans memorial washington dc or record of the loss. Most credit veterans memorial washington dc card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if y our card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wir e you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa s U.S. emergency number is & 800/ 847-2911 or 410/581-9994. American Express car dholders and trav eler s check holders should call & 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call & 800/ 307-7309 or 636/722-7111. F or other credit car ds, call the toll-fr ee number directory veterans memorial washington dc at &800/555-1212.

Blue F ront C afe AMERICAN/BREAKF AST/MEDITERRANEAN The B lue Front s menu is as eclectic as the upbringing of its friendly owners, three Greek Orthodox Christian br others veterans memorial washington dc who w ere raised in the O ld City of J erusalem. The specialties ar e Middle Eastern/Mediterranean spit-roasted lamb gyros in pita bread and falafel wraps are among the choices but y ou ll find all-American tur key, club , and R euben sandwiches on the menu as w ell. The Blue Front is also a good br eakfast veterans memorial washington dc spot, ser ving up three-egg omelets, toasted bagels, and br eakfast wraps in M editerranean lavash br ead. The room is nothing fancy wooden tables veterans memorial washington dc are close together with plenty of people reading their papers and nursing their coffees but the huge Genie hanging veterans memorial washington dc out front blends in well with the colorful neighborhood.

the national archives building Muni buses, many of which ar e connected to an o verhead electrical system, run fr om 6am until midn

Muni buses, many of which ar e connected to an o verhead the national archives building electrical system, run fr om 6am until midnight. the national archives building B us stops are indicated b y str eet corner signs and yellow bands painted on utility poles and curbs. Muni has 80 lines, so you can probably get to wher e you d like to go. eventually. This isn t exactly rapid transit.

Juban Yakiniku House JAPANESE Although the grill-your-own concept the national archives building may not have the dramatic appeal of a Benihana s, where the chef comes to your table and saut s while you watch, it s really more fun to take responsibility for your own dinner. At Juban, a gas grill embedded in the center of y our table quickly cooks thin slices of tender beef , chicken, short ribs, shrimp , and other items while y ou and y ours handle the cooking implements. The wait staff makes sur e the temperatur e is just so, but in any ev ent, it s pretty difficult to ruin your dinner. Smoke is relieved by special downdraft grills. Juban is big and modern, with wide tables to hold the v arious plates of raw and cooked food, and an accommodating staff. Yakiniku, or grilling, works well for children, the national archives building who can pick and choose what they like and in r easonable quantities.

suites the national archives building with full kitchens and discounts for stays longer the national archives building than 5 days. S ee p. 97. The kitchen units at the Marina Motel (2576 Lombard St.; & 800/346-6118 or 415/921-9406) are available to those staying the national archives building 7 nights or mor e. S ee p. 98.

San Francisco is well known as a bastion the national archives building of gay and lesbian households, many of which include kids. If you hope to connect with any, start by contacting Our Family Coalition (& 415/981-1960; www.our family.org), a grass-r oots organization for families with gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender members. Check their w ebsite for a calendar of social and educational events. You might also want to visit the San Francisco Lesbian, G ay, B isexual, and Transgender Community Center the national archives building at 1800 Market S t., S an F rancisco, CA 94102 (&415/865-5555; www.sfcenter.org). It s easily r eached on the F-M arket and J-Church str eetcars. O ther sites to check out include www.familypride.org, www. gayparentingpage.com, and www.rfamily vacations.com.