Visiting Sausalito and San Francisco with Kids

San Francisco is a pretty big city. Here’s what you should do and see if you’re visiting Sausalito and San Francisco with kids.

This post is a continuation of our 3-week family road trip we took in July. If missed the previous posts in the series, you can read them here:

Planning a Road Trip to CA | Southern California | Central Coast Part 1 | Central Coast Part 2

We drove from Santa Cruz and stopped at Half Moon Bay for a picnic lunch. It was lovely and so gorgeous to see all the cliffs. So different from home. We were really excited about our timing as approached SanFran and were going to arrive at our hotel in time for check at 3pm. The only problem was that the roads surrounding our hotel were closed. There was a serious car accident right outside the hotel. We decided to head across the Golden Gate Bridge and spend some time in Sausalito. It was such a pretty spot right on the water.

Sausalito

It was a sunny Sunday and the weather was perfect for people watching and enjoying a day on the water.

Sausalito is a small town that was once a fishing community. The ship building industry developed rapidly in World War II. It’s a really cute coastal town with lots of lovely shops and restaurants. We got some gelato and walked around.

In the above photo you can see Angel Island, which was an immigration center from 1910-1940 but is now a national park. You can see more about that here.

We really loved walking down the boardwalk and looking at all the boats. My husband and sons love to sail.

I know this isn’t a sailboat, but I thought it was pretty 😉

One of my favorite photos from the trip, I love the wispy clouds and the blue numbers on the white buildings:

Before heading back to San Francisco we had a lovely Mexican dinner at Copita. Celebrity Chef, Joanne Weir, opened the restaurant in 2012. They had autographed copies of Kitchen Gypsy (affiliate link) at the restaurant.

San Francisco

Where we stayed

I really wanted to stay at an AirBnB, but we couldn’t find an AirBnB that had parking. Parking is essential in this city, when you rent a car. We stayed 4 nights so we just wanted to park the car and leave it so we could explore. I have heard amazing things about the Westin, we stayed at Hotel Spero. The room was beautiful but I think I would stay in a different area of town if we return for another visit. It wasn’t in the best part of the city.

What To See

We had two full days in the city and we walked 10 miles one day and 8 1/2 the next. We saw A LOT. It was amazing just to see the hills of San Francisco and the historic Victorians.

Can you see how steep this hill is:

My butt and legs were so sore after each day!

China Town

We loved walking around China Town and went in many, many shops. I was excited to hear about Japan Town as I thought it was going to be similar to China Town, but it was really mostly a mall.

The Ferry Building

This was a fun building with gorgeous views. There were so many great shops and food stalls. We had an amazing lunch at The Slanted Door.

Highly recommend this modern Vietnamese for lunch or dinner. Charles Phen, the executive chef, is amazing. We sat outside and this was our view:

I loved the decor in the restaurant. Look at these leather couches and the live edge tables.

Lunch was delicious:

Fisherman’s Wharf

I thought this was very crowded and touristy and didn’t really like this area. We like to visit places that are off the beaten path.

We did enjoy seeing the USS Pampanito and the Musee Mecanique, an antique penny arcade.

Alcatraz Island

Sadly we couldn’t get tickets to Alcatraz. It books out 3-6 months ahead of time, but heard we might be able to get cancellations. We weren’t able to, but wanted to mention that it does sell out so book ahead. Isn’t it funny how many people tried to escape Alcatraz and boat loads of people are trying to get there now!

Lombard Street

This is the twisty turny street – it is known as the crookedest street in the world. Cars can only travel down at 5 miles an hour.

Haight Ashbury

It was so fun to tell the kids about the 1960s (we weren’t alive then) and to take them into all the retro shops on Haight and Ashbury.

The Design District

I so enjoyed walking around the Design District and my guys were so patient with me while I absorbed all the design inspiration I needed. We had fun at Design within Reach, if you look closely you’ll see the boys snuggled on the couch.

Conor really really wants one of these chairs:

I absolutely loved everything at Big Daddy’s. Honestly I could have moved in.

I love how they mix all different styles:

Pinecrest Diner

The line was out the door at the Pinecrest Diner but well worth the wait. It’s the oldest standing 24 hour dining in Union Square. Founded by Greek immigrants in 1969, this is a San Francisco institution. Fabulous breakfast, just look at John:

The Japanese Tea Garden

This was one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. This tranquil tea garden in Golden Gate Park, you would never in a million years believe you were in the middle of a city.

It’s the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. Makoto Hagiwara is the Japanese landscape architect behind the design. He and his family lived on the grounds for many years. On the Japanese Tea Garden’s site it says, “Mr. Hagiwara expanded the garden to its current size of approximately 5 acres where he and his family lived for many years until 1942 when they, along with approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, were forced to evacuate their homes and move into internment camps. When the war was over, the Hagiwara family was not allowed to return to their home at the tea garden and in subsequent years, many Hagiwara family treasures were removed and new additions were made.” I just find it so very sad, that so many families lives were forever changed with the internment camps, especially when he brought, and still brings, peace to so many with his designs.

We strolled the gardens with the boys and enjoyed tea. I think our fortune was absolutely perfect:

I will treasure our time at the tea garden always.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Of course, the day we visited the bridge, to walk across, was very cold and windy and foggy. I told Luke it was too windy to walk across for me, but it was pretty to just be near it.

I love this photo of my guys. We framed it for part of Luke’s birthday gift and he now has it in his office.

The fog is so famous in San Francisco, they call it Karl.

Muir Woods

On the way from San Francisco to Wine Country we stopped at Muir Woods and it was one of our whole families’ most favorite things we did in San Francisco.

Muir Woods is primeval forest and has been a national monument and living laboratory since 1908. They have a beautiful gift shop, wonderful guides and such amazing hiking trails.

We took the higher trail which I recommend as there was so much to see.

Plan ahead, parking must be booked before you arrive at the park. The Redwoods were just so amazing to see. We were all in awe by their size and magnificent beauty. It felt good to forest bathe.

I know we missed so much in San Francisco. What are your favorites? What did we miss? Next up is Wine Country, that will be my last post from our trip. I’ve so enjoyed sharing our journey with you and hope you’ve enjoyed reading it. Perhaps, our tips will help you plan your family’s next big adventure!