San Francisco- A great place for a busy vacation.

I recently vacationed in San Francisco. This is my second trip to the city and I have to say, I'm still impressed by the craziness of it all! People in funny headgear, nudie cyclists, skaters in caped outfits- I saw it all! And this time, I dragged my two kids with me!

After 8 days of getting used to the dirt, crowds and chaos and finally having adjusted my gaping jaw to a more respectable look, it was time to fly out to Orange County for 5 crazy days at Disneyland! Well, we actually spend 3 entire days in the theme park and two days just gallivanting in search of decent restaurants. But more on that later.

Some tips to surviving San Francisco:
In San Francisco, you have got to play tourist; there's nothing like it. Ride the cable car and visit the Embarcadero; gawk at the seals on Pier 39 and eat at Boudin's (though if I'm honest, I must admit I'm not a big fan of sourdough bread!) Kids will love the little aquarium by Pier 39 where they get to actually pet a baby shark and walk through a tunnel under the 'sea'.

A ride on the carousal around the corner is also a must. And a well-hidden treasure is the kid's park at the Golden Gate Park. There's a mini simulated beach with sand and water, lots of swings and slides and monkey bars, and yet another carousal ride (this one is cheap- USD 2 for adults and kids go free!).

The weather changes in the city are rather frequent, so a jacket is a must, even on hot summer days. Be prepared also to inhale a lot of dust, smog and pot along with the other sights and smells that make up the city. I was also lucky to catch Tosca at the SF Opera House, courtesy my mother and that was a treat! Absolutely loved it.

There was much I didn't like about the city- the litter on the streets and in the public transportation was a bit sad, but with the influx of so many immigrants into the city from all around the States (and indeed, globally), it's bound to be expected.

In retrospect, I had a fun time and it's a great place for a visit, kids included.

New to the city? You may want to grab a copy of one of the following books:





And for the kids: