duck ride Francisco s steepest str eets, giving y ou a good sense of the city s photogenic, hilly topography.

The 1,000-plus acres making up this urban oasis are filled with activities that will excite both children and their parents. Kids will love the Koret Children s Quarter, the antique carousel, Japanese Tea Garden, and Stow Lake, and adults can admir e Strybing Arboretum duck ride and the pictur esque Conser vatory of F lowers. I t s easy to get to the par k using public transpor tation, but kids may tir e of the walk to r each the v arious attractions within it. A r est stop at one of the cafes or r estaurants on 9th A venue may help. The spectacular California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum are highlights of the park.

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 there later when you are in Chinatown.

This is one of the bett er plac es t o eat in Chinatown, but y ou ve got t o k now ho w to or der. P ass on the Westernized menu and ask what fr esh fish is a vailable. Order it prepared simply with garlic or salt and pepper, and be ready for a delicious feast. See p. 120.

Warning: Around Fisherman s Wharf and elsewhere, you may see manned booths with signs proclaiming themselves tourist information centers. These booths are operated by organizations such as the Fisherman s Wharf Merchants Association or by tour companies, boat lines, or other attractions, and, as such, ar e not the best sour ce of unbiased advice. For that, you should phone or visit the Visitor Information Center mentioned above.