Union Square
Union Square is shopping-central in San Francisco.Young girls may like to go to the one of the hotels for afternoon tea.
You can find a restroom in any of the department stores around the square, or in the major hotels.
Other Parts of the City
South of Market
There are many attractions in the trendy South of Market area. Zeum (a children's art center) has a 1906 carousel that was originally at Playland at the Beach. Just across the street is the Metreon complex with movie theatres and IMAX.Lombard Street
Everybody loves a drive down Lombard Street, the "crookedest street." Start at the top of Lombard on Hyde Street and drive down. Hyde Street goes up the hill from Ghirardelli Square. If you're trying to limit driving, you can work this little drive in with a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge.The Presidio
This former military base has a playground, a cheap bowling alley, and a Burger King with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.Take a Ride
Several of my fellow guides report that their kids love to ride BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)The historic Market Street Railway has renovated street cars from America's past. Try riding one if you need to get down Market in a hurry.
Of course, the kids will want to ride a cable car. Beware that the lines can be quite long. The turnaround at Bay and Taylor, just up from Fisherman's Wharf, usually has the shortest lines. Some people say you can save time by boarding a few blocks up from a turnaround, but I've never had any luck at it.
Museums
The Cable Car Museum is fun for ages four and up. Get off the cable car at Mason and Washington and watch the cables being pulled by giant motors, then go downstairs to see the giant sheaves that keep it all straight.The Exploratorium is the grand-daddy of all hands-on science museums and it's still a leader. Fun for all ages. It's just past the Marina on your way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Wells Fargo Museum (open weekdays only) has a real stagecoach that you can climb on!
The Fire Department Museum is a hit with all ages. It's jam-packed with firefighting memorabilia, and they have six antique fire engines on display.
