There are more things to do here than can be covered in any one vacation (or perhaps even any dozen). To be sure you and the kids have a great time, click through our list for a few some things to do that the whole family will enjoy.
If you need more help to plan your trip to San Francisco with the kids, look no further than the San Francisco Vacation Planner. It covers where to stay, when to go - and more.
Take the Kids on a Cable Car Ride
It's not often you can see a National Landmark and take a ride at the same time, but that's exactly what you can do on a San Francisco cable car. They're an old-fashioned mode of transportation kept alive by the public's enthusiasm for the experience.The turnaround at Bay and Taylor, just up from Fisherman's Wharf, usually has the shortest lines, but also the least-interesting surroundings to wait in. If you're also going to take a walk on Lombard Street (the "crookedest" street), take the Powell-Hyde line and get off at Lombard. It will save you a long walk up a steep hill.
Pros and Cons
The San Francisco cable cars are a unique and iconic way to get around and standing on the sideboards, holding on as you go down the hills is at least as much fun as a mild roller coaster, but the lines to get on can be quite long and the cars get crowded. They may not be a good choice for families with strollers or very active little ones.See what other people think about cable cars as a tourist attraction.
More About the Cable Cars
Get all the details in the Cable Car Rider's GuideFind out how to take a cable car tour of San Francisco
See more about what they're like: browse the photo gallery.
See a map of the cable car routes
Thanks to Sid Arigapudi for his assistance in preparing this compilation.
