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Today we travel to San Francisco, CA with Kate @ See Kate Sew
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When Jamie asked for fun things to do in cities, I immediately thought of San Francisco. San Francisco is the city where I grew up. Since I was a kid in SF, I know lots of fun things to do there-things that I used to do. Most of the things I listed I’ve done multiple times and they never get old. I can’t wait to take my kids there and do some of these. In fact, just writing this makes me ache for the Berkeley hills! These are things your kids will remember!
1. Tilden Park
Tilden park is located in Berkeley, right outside of the city. It is full of beautiful views from the Berkeley hills. Free hiking and perfect for picnics. There are also some inexpensive things to do like ride the trains or take a carousel ride on the 100-year old merry-go-round.
2. Boudin Bread Factory
The Boudin Bread Factory not only delivers the best sourdough in the world, but it also offers a free tour! Complete with samples. Their dough is used to make all sorts of edible bread sculptures, including crabs and turtles!
3. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate is one of the most famous bridges in the world. It has a walking and biking path that is fun to walk, just to complete your experience of the city.
4. Look for Bush Man
Bush Man hangs out on the wharf. You can usually spot him on a trip to the city. He hides behind trash cans, holding a big branch, as if he were a bush. Then he pops out and scares people. It’s really fun to watch him from the other side of the street. Although it may sound immature, kids love it! (And so do I.)
5. Ghirardelli square.
This is a no-brainer that everyone will enjoy. The old Ghirardelli Factory is a neat thing to look at, though it is abandoned. You can watch the huge vats of chocolate being made and enjoy free pre-unwrapped chocolate squares inside the restaurant. (And if you have some money buy a cookie sundae!) YUM.
6. Jelly Belly Factory
This is located outside of the city in Fairfield, but is worth hitting up if you are in the area. Offers a free tour including a Jelly Belly worker hat and free samples! I had a lot of good memories at the jelly belly factory, which features art made of jelly beans all over the walls.
7. Pier 39
Walking around Pier 39 is a treat. You can smell the clam chowder poured in sourdough bread bowls and that sweet fishy smell. There is also a dock full of sea lions that you can watch. They usually bask in the sun all day, great for kids!
8. China Town
You haven’t been to the city until you’ve been to China Town. China town carries a unique smell with it, too. A smell of food and open markets, I love that. While there are tons of things to buy, walking through is an experience in itself. A neat cultural experience.
9. Drive down Lombard street
The windiest road in America! Your kids will remember the turns on this one. It’s just a short drive, but oh so fun. Did you know people actually live on Lombard Street? You’ll see their houses and cars when you go!
10. Free Museums
The first Tuesday of the month most museums offer free admission. Some include: de Young Museum, SF MOMA, Conservatory of Flowers.
Not free but worth doing: Alcatraz tickets run about $16 a pop an include a headset tour with recorded criminals voices. Creepy, but really cool, too.
Thanks for having me Jamie! And for keeping things really awesome and FREE!
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Thank you Kate 
Hunting for Bush man sounds really fun! Our Austin city celeb is Leslie, he wears a thong around downtown! I also really, really want to visit the jelly bean factory. I love jelly beans, my favorite flavor is juicy pear. I gag if I accidentally eat a buttered popcorn… Recently, I realized the BF loves buttered popcorn. Grossness! Are you a buttered popcorn fan?
Hunting for Bush man sounds really fun! Our Austin city celeb is Leslie, he wears a thong around downtown! I also really, really want to visit the jelly bean factory. I love jelly beans, my favorite flavor is juicy pear. I gag if I accidentally eat a buttered popcorn… Recently, I realized the BF loves buttered popcorn. Grossness! Are you a buttered popcorn fan?
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Oh Jamie! I'm having so much FUN reading this series!!
I LOVE bushman! I was just in SF over spring break–wish I'd seen this! The first time I went to SF Bushman surprised me and then later I wondered why I thought it was totally normal for a bush to be planted randomly on the sidewalk.
My husband and I made our 1st trip to SF in 2006. 5 years, and 5 more trips there later… It STILL holds my heart. LOVE IT.
Lol to the bush man. We've seen him the few times we've been to Fisherman's Wharf. Freaked my daughter out!