There are more things to do here than can be covered in any one vacation (or perhaps even any dozen). Bring the kids and have a great time! Here are a few ideas:

San Francisco has great street performers and kids love to watch them. If you see a bush in an odd spot with a lot of people looking at it, beware. Many visitors enjoy the “Bush Man,” whose entire act consists of hiding behind that bush and jumping out to scare people, but some small children find him frightening.

You’ll find more performers along the wharf area, at Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square.

Kids with maritime interests can get them satisfied here. The Liberty ship Jeremiah O’Brien and the Pampanito submarine are open for tours, as is the Hyde Street Pier Maritime Museum.

Alcatraz: This tour involves a long-ish boat ride in each direction and lots of walking around in places where running is not a good idea. It’s best for ages six and up – or maybe older depending your child. Buy tickets in advance to avoid standing in line and possible disappointment. The line to get on the ferry can be long, but there’s a lot to watch while you wait – people, sea lions and other goings-on. For kids on the go, an even better strategy is to wait until a few minutes before sailing time to get into the line. After all, the last person on the boat arrives at the Alcatraz pier at the same time as the one who stood in line for an hour.

If you or your kids like things weird and unusual, try Ripley’s Believe it Or Not or the Wax Museum. You might also enjoy the old-fashioned arcade games at Musee Mechanique, which is surprisingly popular even with kids who grew up with an electronic controller in their hands.

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