Taking a 2 yearold to San Fransisco, what shouldn't I miss?

[1973911s]

Going to be at Huntington Lake with the family, and we are going to head over to SF for a few days. What things shouldn't we miss with our 2 year old daughter?

Cable Car
Pier 39
??
??

Thanks

Michael

[singpilot]

2 yr old? Terrible twos..... Do everyone else at those venues a favor.

Day Care in the hotel.

[scottmandue]

The Embarcadero (is that pier 39?) Giradeli square (SP)
Golden gate park-the exploratorium-museums (I work at the Los Angeles science museum so I'm a little biased)
China town is very cool, don't know if it would be too much for a two year old though.

GG park is probably a good bet, they have lots of lawn to play on, gardens, squirrels, and did I mention museums?

[jyl]

The Exploratorium is a must. Otherwise, at two, I think kids have a good time just tagging along with dad and playing in parks.

[scottmandue]

Cable cars are a must see... but may be a little dangerous for a two year old.

[dtw]

Castro Street?!

[singpilot]

Thanks tcar. Was my point. A 2 year old will appreciate a meal when wanted, a good cartoon, and a place to nap.

They will not remember much more than that. In the meantime everyone else that is there WILL remember the 2 year old.

I remember the 4 YEAR old on the podium the other night in DC. I already question the wisdom of the Supreme Court Nominee bringing a 4 year old to a nationally televised event. If he had brought a 2 year old?

What would you think?

[singpilot]

If you knew anything about me, you'd know the words uptight and ********* don't apply.

I was simply replying to a common sense question with a common sense answer.

It takes a village. Unfortunately some people are not raised there.

Your reaction is sad, and typical of someone that would do that to a 2 year old.

[87coupe]

Good Lord, procon & singpilot both need to grow up. There are obviously appropriate, and inappropriate places to take a two year old. It's like people get on a BBS and completely lose the ability to think before they speak. I'm sure Michael is well aware of how his 2 year old behaves under certain circumstances, and is planning his destinations accordingly. I must have missed the part where he talked about taking his 2 year old to the theater.

Interesting that the ones who so quickly put him on blast don't even sign their posts w/ an actual name.

Anyways, I think your on the right track w/ the cable cars and Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiardelli square are also good places to check out while your down near the water. If your into nature type destinations, Muir Woods (just on the other side of the GG bridge) is an awesome place, with flat easy walking trails. Teddy Roosevelt made it a national monument back in 1908. Here is a pic I took last time I went



Have fun!

[pwd72s]

Take him to see the night life at North Beach. Even at age 2, he'll probably remember.

[alf]

Having 2 boys, now 5 and 7. I'd say just take short trips, kid are usually happy just hanging out with parents when they are 2. Get one of those kid back pack thingys and strap them on you where ever you decide to go.

I think that 2 is a wonderful age. So is 1 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7. Have not seen 8 yet.

alf

[M.D. Holloway]

Keep'm away from Vash, Moses and Jyl unless you want to get him drunk...

[jyl]

Okay, getting serious on child-rearing here -

I think the important thing when a kid is that young isn't that they see a specific thing like the Golden Gate Bridge or whatever, but that they see a lot of different things. Starting when my daughter was 6 months, we did a lot of traveling. Spent almost a year traveling with her, then bounced between grad school in CA and living in France and the UK for a couple of years. She just soaked it all in, big eyes and thoughtful expression. It was great for her. So, back to your trip to SF -

Chinatown would be fun, there's lots of shops with unusual and cheap trinkets. Grace Cathedral is a lovely Gothic church, stained glass and vaulted ceilings, plus a nice playground/park next door. Golden Gate Park and the Presidio have big expanses of grass and interesting little woods to run around. Angel Island (a small island south of Alcatraz) has great views, a bit of beach, and short easy walking trails. Muir Beach (in Marin, about 20 min north of the GG bridge) is a pretty little beach in a cove, with a nearby British inn and pub (the Pelican Inn, how's that for a name) where you'd enjoy lunch and a pint (kids welcome, they like playing in the grassy lawn). Crissy Field and the surrounding waterfront are pleasant open spaces, close enough to the Exploratorium. That's probably enough to keep you occupied.

[vash]

the big aquarium at golden gate park. steinhart. the first wed, of every month is free. at least it used to be.

i think the aquarium in monterrey has a big petting thing going on, rays, octopus, starfish....

[singpilot]

Procon;

Sorry if I offended you. Was not what I meant to do.

My sister reminded me this morning why I come across that way when it comes to 2 year olds. Hers were terrors. They still are 20 years later. In rehab. They grew up with no limits. Never made the transition to a society that does.

I'll not venture there again (responding about child rearing, haha).

[speeder]

Without wanting to get into this pissing match, I have to agree that a 2-year old is not aware of much and will not remember much. I have an unbelievable early childhood memory, (I can remember specific events from ~2 y.o. when many aquaintences remember nothing), of course all 2 year olds are not alike and some probably travel better than others. Most people plan around how much ass pain will be involved in dragging the kid here or there, not what the 2 y.o. will appreciate.

2 year olds appreciate being doted on by parents, fed and having frequent oil and filter changes. Some like seeing a furry dog on the street and ice cream. Also, there are inappropriate places to subject others to a screaming baby, (the parents would be the ass-wholes in this situation), but most tourist destinations are obnoxious enough to start with so no foul. Plus, you have to expect kids at any "family type" place.

There is a miserable SOB in my building who complains loudly whenever kids are splashing and having fun in the pool below our window, (a pleasant sound if you ask me), he is way out of line. I told him that he needs to move to a retirement home. he didn't like that, since he's younger than me. (40-something). Like Singpilot said, there are boundaries in society that most people understand but some don't get. It goes both ways w/ people accepting children and parents being considerate. Hope that you have a great trip!

[JeremyD]

with two young kids of my own - and experience in SFO - I recommend two things - #1 Sealions at pier 39 #2 warm clothes

Between getting ready for that - and a nap - that's a good day for you

[stevepaa]

Carry them across the GG bridge. Good for you and they can nap. You can tell them about it when they grow up. Other wise go wherever you want, but I think they are too young to really remember.

[Jims5543]

Just got back from South Beach with my 12 y/o and 2 y/o. Our mission for the weekend was to go to the Miami Seaquarium. The 2 y/o loved it! We also spent a day on the beach. It was a tie beteween me (topless ladies) and the 2 y/o for a fun day.

Do outdoor things that move fast and you'll have a ball. Make sure to stop and let your 2 y/o bounce around and burn off some energy as much as possible. Where is was safe, we let him walk to wear him out.

Yup, with a 2 y/o going to nice restruants and bars are out. Loud sportsbars and evenings at the hotel pool were in. I had a blast and the kids did too.

One thing that really upsets me when we go to Atlantis is all the kids that get dumped in the Kids camp from 10 in the morning to 10 at night. Why take your kids on vacation if your just going to dump them off? Peoples priorities stagger me sometimes.

[M.D. Holloway]

Show them as much as you can - they may not remember the memories but the stimulus alone will enrich them (colors, sounds, textures, smells,...). The more they experience the better they behave in public (and private) then again, this advice comes from the father of a boy who eats 'spit snadwiches'!