tissue paper balloon The hotel s restaurant serves all day in a spor ts-bar-like atmosphere surrounded by a total of 28 T

Value This inexpensive tissue paper balloon but tidy inn is most suitable for small families with one or possibly two y oung children. All guest rooms have queen-size beds, and a few have an additional twin bed. Depending on floor space, the very accommodating staff can pr ovide a r ollaway, crib, or foam mattr ess. Larger families would r equire taking multiple rooms, but you ll still spend very little for comfortable accommodations that include a continental breakfast of coffee, juice, pastries, and toasted bagels in a pleasant breakfast nook. The pine beds, armoires, and tables in every guest room are simple and lo vely. I nside r ooms obtain natural light fr om light w ells but ar e v ery quiet; the bright outside r ooms pick up noise fr om ev er-busy Lombar d S treet. M oscone P lay- ground, a popular destination for young families, is just 2 blocks away. Also close by are Chestnut Street, a great walking street with some of my fav orite family-friendly restaurants, and the famously tissue paper balloon crooked part of Lombard Street. Compared to the generic motels along Lombard, the Marina Inn is a Victorian oasis in a safer section of the neighborhood. 4

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.

The hotel s restaurant serves all day in a spor ts-bar-like atmosphere surrounded by a total of 28 TVs, one of them measuring a whopping 126 inches. O lder kids will enjo y the game room, complete with two pool tables, shuffleboar d, and arcade machines. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially the concierge, who will provide you with discount coupons for whar f attractions. Look for r oom deals on the H yatt w ebsite, but don t expect attractive weekend rates. Weekends here see high occupancy.

Take a City Guides walking tour (p. 187) in an in teresting neighborhood. Check out the free outdoor c oncerts and ev ents at Yerba Buena G ardens Thursdays tissue paper balloon at noon and w eekends bet ween M ay and Oc tober. Take the k ids to Golden Gate Park s Koret Children s Quarter. Take a fr ee tour of the Strybing A rboretum and B otanical G ardens in Golden Gate Park (p. 176). V isit the de Young Museum. Take in the impr essive architecture, check out the main lobby, savor the view from the museum tower, contemplate Ruth Asawa s ethereal sculptures inside, and stroll through the inspiring sculpture garden outside all at no c ost. Walk acr oss the Golden Gate Bridge. M osey through tissue paper balloon Chinatown. The sights and sounds of this c olorful neighborhood are a cultural experienc e many people w ould pay to have. Visit the lovely Hyde Street Pier at no charge. Adults must pay $5 to board the ships, but k ids are free. The nearby National Maritime Visitors Center is a hit with adults and k ids, and it s fr ee. Hang out at Crissy F ield. Relish the pric eless vista while y our k ids run around on the g rassy hills or pla y at the beach. A scend Nob Hill. Admire tissue paper balloon the stained glass at Grac e C athedral, r egard the lobby of the F airmont Hot el, and then take in the panoramic view fr om the top floor bar of the I nterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel. Experian tissue paper balloon (& 888/397-3742; tissue paper balloon www. might allow you to board the plane if y ou experian.com), and TransUnion (&800/ have a copy of y our passport or birth cer680- 7289; www.transunion.com). Finally, tificate and a copy of the police r eport if y ou ve lost all forms of photo ID, call you ve filed. your airline and explain the situation; they