If I want to take the kids to San Francisco next year…

[Bearsinmotion]

When should i book? Am just thinking flights and mid range hotel near Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf for ten days in the summer holiday next year. Is it better to book now or nearer the time to get the best deals?

Thank you all, there are some fantastic suggestions there, I love the Amtrak idea, and good to know it’s not utterly terrifying 😁.

I have always been too wary about driving abroad, especially as it’s just me and the kids but maybe I just need to get my big girl pants on and do it!

I second the Amtrak idea! We've done the Californian Zephyr from Chicago to SF and the Southwest Chief from Flagstaff (after visiting the Grand Canyon) to Chicago. Both good but the first one goes through spectacular scenery!

We've just done a 2 week drive/train combo:
Flew to LA, then drove to Santa Barbara, Sequoia, Mount Whitney area, Death Valley, Vegas, Hoover Dam, Williams (Grand Canyon), Flagstaff, then took the Southwest Chief to Chicago and stayed there for 4 nights in an apartment (via HomeExchange). Loads of scenery, wildlife and stuff to see in each place.

The CZ Amtrak trip was probably the best thing I've ever done, travel wise.

I have also done southwest Chief but zephyr has the best scenery

I love SF, last time I went though 17 years ago, the homeless situation was out of control and seems only to have worsened since. Frankly I’d avoid it now unless to fly in, hire an RV and head south on the PCH.

San Fran
Yosemite
Vegas
San Diego

Best road trip ever

Agree San Diego is a much better bet. Nice beaches. Great museums. Take a trip to LA too. Its neighbourhoods are really great these days - little Tokyo etc.
SF has say gone down the pan. IMO at least!

Oh another top tip - the National Parks are great across the US especially at that age - we have done many trips when the children were you g and teens and the rangers put on great walks and programs for families

I go several times a year for work. Was due to go pre covid with kids but having been there this month I now won’t bother. The homeless and drugs issue is out of hand. I don’t feel terribly safe there anymore.

The Amtrak journal one of my favorite trips of all time.

Food in dining car, which was included in the fare, was quite decent! And we had a cooler in our bedroom with beer, Coke and wine purchased in some shop near the station in Chicago. And snacks.

The 45-ish hours flew by; i never even opened my book.

Go to Vancouver - there is SO much to do. You can then take the VIA train through the Rockies to either Banff or Jasper National park, which is absolutely stunning! You can then head into / fly back from either Calgary or Edmonton. But Calgary would be worth visiting too.

San Francisco and the Bay Area in general is great. I used to live there and Dh, oldest dc (4) and I went there for 2 weeks a few years ago.

BUT you need to stay away from the main tourist areas/downtown. Those are rubbish and there is a lot of homelessness and deprivation.

I’d recommend looking for an Airbnb around the Inner Sunset. This means you have easy access to Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park. You can go to the Haight (which is also a bit rubbish but you have to see it). You can visit the more touristy areas if you really want but you aren’t stuck there. Chinatown and Japantown are interesting. There is amazing Mexican food in the Mission. You’ll also be able to get to the zoo via public transport.

There’s a vintage arcade near Pier 39, which dd loved. And we just had lots of picnics in parks with playgrounds, took some nice lunch food and a bottle of wine, relaxed on a blanket and dd played. You can take the ferry to Sausalito. If you hire a car, you can drive to Napa, the Redwoods, Montecito, down to Monterrey to go to the aquarium. You could even go out to Lake Tahoe, though must take into account weather conditions and book accommodation well in advance.

It is really a lovely city, but you just have to stay away from all the tourist crap. It’s just like people who go to London, only go to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and the M&Ms world and then complain it’s so overcrowded and commercialised. You’re better off going and staying and enjoying the real SF that people who live there love.