Our first sightseeing trip as a family was to Monterey and San Francisco. We went in January 2018 when the kids were 3, 6, 8, and 10. Our trips before that were always hotel destination trips and by that I mean, the hotel was the destination, not the location. Other than camping, we mostly have traveled with the express purpose of playing at the hotel. To say the kids were a little confused and not all that excited when they discovered this new type of travel. When we arrived at the Monterey Marriott, the first thing the kids wanted to do was explore the hotel. We tried explaining to them that it wasn’t a resort and that they hotel wasn’t the destination. Let’s just say this revelation was met with confusion and disappointment.
We quickly realized we needed to get them walking and see the beauty of Monterey. We took them to the Warf and watched the boats, saw the seals, had treats, and kept moving. We walked all the way down to Cannery Row which was a beautiful walk but started to lose it’s luster so found a glow in the dark miniture golf place for a little kid fun. Inserting “kid-interest” moments into our sightseeing trips is the only way to successfully enjoy the days.
We walked all the way down to Cannery Row which was a beautiful walk but started to lose it’s luster so found a glow in the dark miniture golf place for a little kid fun. Inserting “kid-interest” moments into our sightseeing trips is the only way to successfully enjoy the days.
We continued on to San Fransisco the following day and the kids were mesmorized by the steep hills, packed in highrises, and our impressive hotel, the JW Marriott Union Square where you could watch the elevators soar up and down from the lobby. We walked these kids all over the city and used the Hop On Hop Off bus as both transportation and a guided tour. It was the best way to see all the landmarks in a few days without hearing how much little legs were tired.
Alcatraz was fine. Michael and I had been before and we were excited to take the kids but we realized that it might have been a little much for the kids. The audio tour is great but not for kids as they do some audio reenactments of incidents in the jail that was a little frightening for them.
We did a trolley ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was cold, rainy, windy, and so fun to go across and see a little of beautiful Sausalito. Even in the rain, its an adorable town.
Riding the trolley and Fisherman’s Warf were fun and Ghirardelli Square was a definitely favorite. That was one of those treat stops that got us through seeing Lombard St, the Painted Ladies, Coit Tower, and every neighborhood we could drive through with minimal complaints. We had a good lunch in Chinatown and a delicious dinner at a cute Italian restaurant.
Scroll down to the bottom for links, reviews, and recommendations.
Fisherman’s Warf 
Ghirardelli Square 
China Town 
Hop on Hop Off double decker bus
- Monterey Marriott – We had adjoining rooms and they were really nice. Even the parial water view was beautiful. Perfect for a short stay.
- JW Marriott Union Square – We had adjoining rooms here also and they were great! The lobby was really impressive with elevators exposed much to the kids’ delight and the view from our room on the 18th floor was amazing.
- Uncle Vito’s San Francisco in Nob Hill was excellent. It’s a tiny place but the food was good, the prices were very reasonable, and the wine was $4!!
- Hunan Home in Chinatown was a great lunch spot with the kids. We chose it because I read a bunch of reviews and it seemed like a place with the most meals our kids were familiar with.
- The Pub was a good lunch place with the kids. Great location right in Ghirardelli Square.
- The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop was so fun for the kids. The ice cream sundaes that they are famous for are very expensive but very delicious. Definitely share because you won’t finish one on your own.
- Bubba Gump Restaurant was an easy call when it came to dinner in Monterey. Right on the water and great kid menu.
- City Sightseeing was the Hop On Hop Off double decker tour bus company we used. It met our needs for both transportation and guided tour.
- We book Alcatraz through Alcatraz Cruises
- Wipeout Bar & Grill in Fisherman’s Warf was great for lunch with the kids. Easy, entertaining, and right on Pier 39
