Christina's Guidebook (updated regularly). Photo by photographer Jesse Bradford

Golden Gate Ferry

Bay Area Rapid Transit

https://www.sftourismtips.com/diego-rivera-murals.html

https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/veterans-trail

https://crosstowntrail.org/

https://sfenvironment.org/farmers-markets-in-sf

Bring comfortable walking shoes & layers of clothing. It is cool early mornings. It will be warm when the sun breaks through the fog and chilly again when the sun sets (or the closer you are to Ocean Beach). Rainy season tends to be from late Oct. to Early Spring. Global Warming may bring a warm false early Spring in mid Feb. Some showers in March or April. A drop in temperature is felt in November with very brief cold weather between Christmas & New Year’s. The hottest brief time of the year is usually between mid August to early October. We call this time of year, our “Indian Summer”.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times! Don’t walk through drunken crowds wearing gang colors or L.A. Dodgers’ blue. Avoid dark secluded alleys. Unless you are administering aid, food or clothing to the homeless, etc., be extra aware if you venture into the Tendeloin or South of Market. Avoid looking at your mobile device when crossing the street. If you drive, look out for pedestrians (slow moving Seniors, runaway toddlers, joggers with headsets, speeding cyclists and those young people on rented scooters that NEVER pay attention to road rules!)

Only outsiders say that!

https://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-network-map

https://sfbike.org/resources/maps-routes/

There are a variety of tour operators. I’ve been to some of the places known to be haunted in Chinatown. (While you’re in Chinatown, pick up your SF souvenirs to take home.) http://www.sfchinatownghosttours.com/

As more businesses are opening up, many are asking for proof of vaccination in order to dine/drink libations inside. Airlines are asking for proof of negative testing 72 hours before departure. (Inquire with your airline and don’t get stuck! There are places for free testing all around the City.)

The famous 19th Century writer Mark Twain is quoted to say, “The coldest Winter I have ever spent was a Summer in San Francisco.” (Climate Change has changed all this! Dryer & warmer weather.) Wear layers. Morning & late afternoon fog will bring a chill. Sun breaking through fog will bring warmer weather. Extreme hot weather is a very brief week between August & mid October. Natives call this our “Indian Summer”. Rainy Season hits between late October to Early Spring along with a drop in temperature felt in November. Very cold weather is a brief week between Christmas & New Year’s.

From “Groupon” app, discounts for “Things to Do” (including Kids Activities) in San Francisco; to “City Pass”; to “Go City Pass”, and others. There are time limits and other restrictions. Figure out which one works best for you. https://www.citypass.com/san-francisco https://gocity.com/san-francisco/en-us

California Academy of Sciences with Steinhart Aquarium; Children’s Playground. Boating at Stow Lake Boathouse. Golden Gate Park is huge! The roads are closed on Sundays, (some Saturdays & holidays too) where pedestrians, cyclists etc take over) You may be able to park at Ocean Beach (Western border of Park and take the shuttle in. Read up on the schedule. https://sfrecpark.org/1538/accessGGP https://goldengatepark.com/ https://stowlakeboathouse.com/

My favorite thing to do was to take the train and close my eyes for a brief moment’s respite from chasing children. https://www.sfzoo.org/

“Carousel” at Golden Gate Park - Children’s Playground https://goldengatepark.com/golden-gate-park-carousel.html. “Children’s Creativity Carousel and museum” -Yerba Buena Gardens - Folsom & 4th Street downtown) https://creativity.org/visit/ “Dentzel Carousel” inside the SF Zoo. https://www.sfzoo.org/?s=Carousel%20 “San Francisco Carousel at Pier 39” (also visit the seals and the Aquarium when you’re out there).

Balmy Alley between 24th & 25th is a mile away. It is an alley decorated with murals.

https://www.7x7.com/tag/7x7-magazine

https://www.sfgate.com/

https://www.kqed.org/news/11791667/what-are-those-grids-of-glass-in-the-sidewalk-and-why-are-they-purple

https://thebolditalic.com/what-lies-beneath-the-buried-ships-of-san-francisco-f16b2a045532

Places to get free Covid tests. No insurance needed: https://datasf.org/covid19-testing-locations/. Places for vaccination. Free. Vaccines are now available for anyone 5 years old and up. No insurance needed: https://sf.gov/get-vaccinated-against-covid-19

https://www.chabadsf.org/templates/section_cdo/aid/5164092/jewish/Tourist.htm

Check out this link on several upcoming string concerts in beautiful venues lit with thousands of candles! https://feverup.com/san-francisco/candlelight?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ad_smartly&utm_campaign=candlelight_SFO&utm_term=23849368230770247&fbclid=IwAR1zdVQmhKFNAm-FUDNh0k1pyPGdcXmEPHbRuaZ78NxQ6cI2YKBYZz1d1LY_aem_AW7jBR3X6m1DNVWc-Vj0YFdo5FwZvP9_pN1gpxzdOGoDatYVIL8rYQ75QVC6FQSseSA5P_QSmbSaxBs0WaaK86F7cKXewLH525vFKdt3PEwxiGCjbd-GSrApdCFQly8heII

A fun way of learning San Francisco history. (2 hours). https://www.emperornortontour.com/index.html

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/spots-wont-believe-sf/

https://www.thesfmama.com/best-playgrounds-in-san-francisco/

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/best-playgrounds-sf/

https://www.sftourismtips.com/things-to-do-in-san-francisco-with-teenagers.html

https://www.rent.com/blog/apartment-vs-flat/

A Podcast about the San Francisco Bay Area: https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/francisco-park-opening/?fbclid=IwAR3c4FMfVDBdeQC2FNp4blwiHN67BBT_xqRg_YXMr64RRLXk1rTnqUgDlnE

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/sf-museums-gardens-free-admission-days/

https://secretsanfrancisco.com/lesser-known-public-art-sf/

SF Tour Guy; SF Bucket List; SF Outs; Streets of SF; The 415 Guy;

http://skmorton.com

Playground, carousel, museum and free entertainment on Fridays during lunchtime. Check their calendar. https://ybgfestival.org/childrens-garden-series/

This park opens July 17th in the Presidio.

Info on San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency / Muni Metro (local bus lines and streetcars). *Youth 18 and under are free (except cable cars - unless you obtain a SFMTA Youth Pass for students 16 to 18 years old) *Program good until June 2024. Young children under 4 are always free.