Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san francisco, CA

Things to do Before Leaving San Francisco

by Michael Rohde

June 30, 2009

For some people, to live, work, and raise a family in San Francisco is a dream they like would like see come to fruition. For others, due to changing times and conditions, harsh realities can settle in and they have to re-adjust their goals and priorities. For those of you permanently settled in this great city, please ignore the following list. However, if you see your days numbered living in the city by the bay—and you’re about to find yourself living in the city across the bay, over the hills, and far away—then this list is for you.

Things my family should do before we leave San Francisco (and live 20 minutes away in the East Bay):

1. Go to Alcatraz. That’s right folks, I’ve lived in San Francisco for more years than I can think of and I’ve never been to Alcatraz. That’s a crime right there if you ask me.
2. Go to Muir Woods. The last time I went to Muir Woods, I think I was about 10-years old, and on vacation with my family, who lived in Minnesota at the time. Haven’t been back since. You know what keeps us away? Every time we drive across the bridge we see huge signs along the highway that read, “Muir Woods Parking Full.” Then, a few miles further down, we see where the shuttle parking is located. We just keep on moseying on down the road to the Costco or the Target. The redwoods have been there for hundreds of years, they willl be there for another few weeks.
3. Go to Boulevard one last time. Of course, this item will be checked off sans kids, but Boulevard holds a special place in our hearts. It’s one of the first fine dining experiences I had with my wife; we love the service and we love the food even more.
4. Take a sailboat ride around the bay. This one probably won’t happen, because my wife gets sea sick and it is too cold and windy for the toddlers. But, like I said, we’re not moving that far away and we can always make a day trip out of it when the kids get older.
5. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge. Again, this one ranks up there with the sailboat ride. As soon as the kids can walk more than 10 feet without stopping to examine a crack in the sidewalk, we are so there!
6. Go to Mitchell’s. Excellent ice cream. ‘Nuff said.
7. One last picnic at Crissy Field. This is a fan favorite for all of us. The kids love running around the big fields, the people watching can’t be beat, and picnic food is the best. If you ask my kids, what do you eat on a picnic, the answer is invariably, “Cook, Chips!” That’s right, we eat cookies and chips on a picnic. The sandwiches and fruit are very quickly tossed aside.
8. Ride a Cable Car. Yes, we have ridden many a cable car in our time, but not with the kids. We think they’ll love it.
9. Visit Alamo Square Park. This is my wife’s pick. She likes the views and wants to show the kids the painted ladies.
10. I wrote about this last week, but I forgot about my father-in-law visiting, so we still have to get down to the Farmers’ Market at the Ferry building and eat chilaquiles. Of course, seeing my father-in-law did provide an opportunity to knock a couple of other restaurants off our list before we leave: we had a great breakfast at Ella’s and we dined at Garibaldi’s the night before. So, all-in-all, it was a win-win situation. And there’s always another Saturday around the bend…at least…for a little while longer.

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Children of Hangzhou and Derique

by Michael Rohde

June 10, 2009

Once more this week I’m promoting the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Yerba Buena Gardens. If you’ve ever wondered why I mention them so often, it’s because they send me press releases on what they are doing (and it doesn’t hurt that they have very worthwhile activities).

If you know of any up coming kid-friendly activities that you’d like to share with other San Francisco Bay Area families, feel free to contact me.

Bay Area Discovery Museum Presents the Children of Hangzhou
Opening to the public on June 13, 2009, Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China is an exhibition designed to engage children and families in learning about one of the oldest civilizations--and now among the most modern--in the world through some of its young people. Created by Boston Children's Museum (BCM) and sponsored by State Street and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the exhibit will be at the Bay Area Discovery Museum through September 13, 2009.

The exhibition is organized into several components:

• Bus Stop, where visitors "enter" Hangzhou, China, and "meet" the four children
• Wu Lin Men Apartments, where visitors "meet" Weicheng and his family in their apartment, and learn to cook a birthday meal for his grandmother
• Yellow Dragon Theater, where visitors "meet" Qianyun, who is studying Chinese opera, and join in a performance of White Snake Lady or play traditional instruments
• Bao Chu Ta Middle School, where visitors "meet" Gangzheng at school, learn about the Great Wall, and count on the abacus
• Pavilion, where visitors learn about Chinese writing, poetry, and yin and yang, the traditional worldview of balance and dualities in nature
• Hangzhou Children's Library, where visitors can check out the latest software and  learn about China
• Huang Tian Fan Village, where visitors "meet" Doudou, help her plant rice seedlings with her grandfather, and learn how two thirds of people in China live - on the land.

Yerba Buena Gardens
The Unique Derique
Friday, June 12, 11am & 12:15pm
Saturday, June 13, 11am & 12:15pm
Turning his agile limbs into a drum set or a harpsichord keyboard, the unique Derique delights audiences of all ages. His interactive performance--percussive, syncopated and dynamic--will leave you smiling for the rest of the day.

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Win Tickets to See Elmo Live

by Michael Rohde

May 12, 2009

Elmo is coming to the Oakland ORACLE Arena and BeingSavvy San Francisco has a family 4-pack of tickets as a giveaway.

A little about the show
When Elmo's sunflower, Sunny, outgrows his flower pot, Big Bird's garden seems to be the perfect place for Sunny to flourish. An excited Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street's fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow faster. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and his friends shrink! As Abby tries to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird's garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming fears and appreciation of nature. From dancing ladybugs to grouchy beetles, get ready for a fresh, original Sesame Street Live on a whole new scale!

Enter the contest
To enter the contest, simply leave a comment (only one comment per family; multiple comments disqualifies you), and make sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner. The ticket vouchers are good for any performance at any time and you can redeem them at the box office.

This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends at midnight PST on May 24, 2009. I will draw a winner at random and announce the winner's name on May 25, 2009.

Discount code available
For those who don't win, but would still like to attend, use the use promo code SESAME to save $3 off per ticket. You can buy your tickets now at any Ticketmaster location.

Sesame Street Live
"Elmo’s Green Thumb"
Oakland, CA; ORACLE Arena
Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21

• Ticket prices: $15, $20, $25 & $30 (Gold Circle).
• Opening Night (Thursday, June 18, 7 pm)—All seats $15 (excluding Gold Circle seating).
• Additional fees/surcharges may apply. 

Performance Schedule

• Thursday, June 18: 7:00 PM
• Friday, June 19: 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
• Saturday, June 20: 10:30 AM & 2:00 PM
• Sunday, June 21: 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM

Leave your comment now for your family's chance to win!  Read more...

Mother's Day 2009

by Michael Rohde

May 06, 2009

I have to give Sunday Streets continual props. The first one of the year was a blast. We went down to AT&T Park, ran the bases, played ball in the Fan Lot, and then walked over to the playground and a grassy field, which is about a block away. Sponsors had hula hoops and catch-and-throw toys spread out. It was hilarious to see my little two-year old trying to hula. She had no trouble getting inside the hoop and picking it up, but it was far too big for her to start swinging her hips. Gotta hand it to her for trying though!

I bring Sunday Streets up because on May 10 they will be back at it again along the Waterfront route in the Southeast Sector of the city. The route highlights the San Francisco Bay Trail, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The route starts at AT&T Park, stretches to the Bayview Opera House, and then finishes at India Basin (details).

If you’re still looking for something to do today, don’t forget that the Bay Area Discovery Museum offers free admission on the first Wednesday of every month (yep, that’s today).

Koret Museum Days
BADM is participating in Koret Museum Days, which means on Sunday May 10, admission is free of charge. Seventeen other museums and varied locations are participating, including the Exploratorium, the SF Museum of Modern Art, and the SF Zoo (full list of locations).

That’s all good for Mom Day, but what about Saturday? Don't worry, there’s stuff to do then as well:

Richmond District Family Fun Days
The Richmond Village Beacon is presenting a carnival event with resource booths, food, and games for every member of the family! This event is free and open to the public (details).

Baby Loves Disco (in my wife's words, "geez, this is expensive!")
If your baby/toddler/kid loves to dance the afternoon away, and you don't mind dropping $18/per person at the door (that's $72 for a family of four), then Baby Loves Disco is where you need to be heading on Saturday.

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New Year's Resolutions for Toddlers

by Graham Charles

January 01, 2009

My mother is a clinical psychologist who, among many career successes, did great work with families with hyperactive children. One of her greatest tools -- one she not only used with me but also passed on to me -- was the "rewards chart." I put that in quotation marks because it's not always a classic "chart" -- with some families, she used a currency of some sort, like tickets or tokens. But  Read more...

Let Your Semi-Verbal Kids Write the Thank-Yous

by Graham Charles

December 29, 2008

Ah, the 8th candle has been lit, the tree is starting to mildew, and all that remains of the gift-giving portion of the holidays is everyone's favorite pastime: the Thank-You Cards. Like many parents of a toddler, I used to approach thank-you notes pragmatically. I wrote ostensibly in my toddler's voice -- "Thank you for that bath towel! I use it every day!" -- and if her mood allowed, she  Read more...

Happy Thanksgiving, Savvy Readers!

by Graham Charles

November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year, and I can tell it's going to be a favorite for my daughter Fern, too. As she nears three, she's starting to clue in to many of the emotional chords that echo through this most giftless of holidays. First, of course, is gratitude. The other day, Fern was surprised after she thanked me for an animal cracker and I immediately handed over  Read more...

99 Things to Do In San Francisco Before Kindergarten, Part 6: Places to Go With Grandparents

by Graham Charles

November 17, 2008

My almost-three-year old, Fern, has just been blessed (or cursed!) with a little sister. Naturally, she's been getting to spend a lot of time with her extended family: grandparents and cousins and uncles and aunts -- not to mention friends -- who have all pitched in to help entertain the new big sister. There are some San Francisco sights that lend themselves especially to visiting relations;  Read more...

Museumette: Model Trains at the Randall Museum

by Graham Charles

October 16, 2008

After a certain age, model trains ceases to be called "playing" and turns into a "hobby," and so it is for the members of the Golden Gate Model Railroad Club. I've never had the patience to actually do any model railroad construction, but I find it fascinating to watch, so Fern and I occasionally check out the club's open hours, Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum. At  Read more...

San Francisco's Friendliest Playgrounds

by Graham Charles

September 09, 2008

I'll admit it -- San Francisco can be cliquey. So many cultural revolutions have run through our hilly streets that it's easy to feel that you're just not hippie, yuppie, global villagey, veggie, investment-fundy, MUNI-y, artsy, or techie enough -- the specific in-group, of course, varying by neighborhood. Basically, though, people are really friendly here, and a few of our  Read more...

Parents Place for great preschool classes

by Mike Adamick

July 24, 2008

I've been impressed with Parents Place for a long time now, what with magical instructors and playgroup leaders like Jeni Clancy and Lee Ann Slaton. They are two of San Francisco hidden gems. So I'm pleased to share soem great playgroups and activity groups for those looking for more things to do with the kids. Jeni leads a playgroup every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and also teaches  Read more...

Playground Resource: Golden Gate Mothers Group

by Mike Adamick

July 10, 2008

If you're going to be out and about in a new part of town and want to hit a playground along the way, the Golden Gate Mothers Group offers the best resource I've seen for the city's parks and playgrounds -- complete with brief explanations of what's available and photos, too. Plus there's a fantastic map for pin-pointing the parks. We find it very useful when we know we're going to be doing  Read more...