When our son was born I will admit I did wonder if my days of wanderlust were officially over. At first caring for a newborn was so challenging it seemed like an epic task just to pop to the local store. Well, the two of us began to suss each other out, routines were formed and before we knew it I was planning our first family mini-break – to San Francisco. At three-months-old Baby T found himself jetsetting across the USA to the city by the bay. Sightseeing with a tot (and half a ton of baby paraphernalia) of course meant taking things at a slower and more sensible pace than my pavement pounding pre-bubba days but it was a lot of fun to explore the city as a family.
Here’s our baby-friendly itinerary…
San Fran sights via the ferry
Beginning our day in Sausalito, a Bay area city in Marin County with boutique shops, quaint restaurants and The Marine Mammal Center, we took the scenic route to San Francisco via the Sausalito Ferry. Concerned that a tour of the cramped and stark prison cells of Alcatraz might be too cold and windy for an infant we chose to admire it from the more hospitable conditions of the ferry. As we motored past we had a great view…
With my husband keeping our sleeping son snug inside the cabin I ventured up the front of the boat to take some photos. He later reported that he’d watched with amusement through the window as I circled my arms in an exaggerated swimming motion to boast to some French tourists [to a chorus of ‘Championne!’] about the time I swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco’s aquatic park.
Yup, busted.
In addition to easily impressed French tourists, the ferry offers amazing views of the golden gate bridge – and all for $10.50 per adult.
Wanders around Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco’s historic waterfront district is the gateway to much entertainment. You could take a boat excursion, sample some wine tasting or rent a bike and cycle over the golden gate bridge.
We chose to wander around the wharf enjoying the colourful array of moored boats then joined the throngs of tourists in the midst of an instagram frenzy over the famous sea lions lounging around on the pontoons of Pier 39.
According to the Pier 39 website a few sea lions began sunbaking on Pier 39’s K-Dock following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and it was soon the hottest blubber spot in town. As the population of sea lions grew – attracted by the plentiful supply of food and protection from predators – naturalists from The Marine Mammal Center advised that the stinky pod of sea mammals should be allowed to stay put.
A jaunt around Japantown
During our visit we got a guided tour from our friend Jack who has lived just outside the city for many years. It was Jack who persuaded me to do the Sharkfest swim in 2012 (did I mention it?) and he swims almost every day in the bitterly cold bay without a wetsuit. Brrr. Jack’s daughter-in-law is Japanese and so he regularly frequents Japantown and took us to one of his regular lunch haunts, Sapporo-Ya in the Japan Center Mall, for ramen noodles. Yum.
With full bellies, we then explored the mall popping in and out of colourful shops selling Japanese treats, kimonos, cute stationery, books and magazines and unique gifts and trinkets that I snapped up for Christmas presents.
OK so Baby T slept through most of our sightseeing but we’ll definitely be back once he’s walking 🙂
