This post lists some things to see and do around San Francisco that my amazing wife and great kids helped me make for one of my cool sisters. Distances are given from the The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. I list directions and some details so that you can find everything in one place. Leave a message if I left off a detail you think is important or if you have a suggestion on another great place to visit.
Why the Ritz? My sisters and her family is staying there. She asked for the list for their upcoming trip and I thought I'd share my recommendations with everyone.
San Francisco
See the lions and other animals at the San Francisco Zoo [link]
San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Blvd & Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94132 [link]
Car directions from Half Moon Bay at [link] (25.9 miles)
Facebook page at [link]
Zoo map at [link]
Visitor Guide at [link]
Non-resident ticket prices on July 1st 2017: Adult (15-64) $20.00, Seniors (65+) 0 $17.00, Children (4-14) $14.00, Children (3 and under) $0.00 [link]
Note: SF Zoo tracks the number of tickets its sells and may sell out
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, last admission at 4:00 PM
55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 [link]
Car directions from Half Moon Bay at [link] (31.5 miles)
Park at 800 10th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118 [link]
Tickets at [link]
Adult Ticket (Ages 18-64) $39.95
Child Ticket (Ages 4-11) $29.95
Youth Ticket (Ages 12-17) $34.95
Student Ticket (Ages 18+, ID required) $34.95
Senior Ticket (Ages 65+, ID required) $34.95
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge [link]
Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109 [link]
Car directions from Half Moon Bay at [link] (35.1 miles)
Parking to ride a Cable Car at Ghirardelli square [link]
First hour $5, each additional $8, 12 hours $35, 24 hours $40
Book parking at [link]
Fares: Cable car conductors will accept the following:
Single ride
Fares may be paid on-board to the Cable Car conductor.
Please have small bills available.
Transfers between cable cars are not offered.
If you depart one vehicle, you must pay full fare to board another.
Fares
MuniMobile: Adult & Youth $7.00
Clipper Card: Adult & Youth $7.00
Cash $7.00
Senior/ Disabled/ Medicare: 7am-9pm $7.00
Senior/ Disabled/ Medicare: 9pm-7am $3.00
All Day Travel
MuniMobile $22.00
Paper Passport $22.00
Visit the Exploratorium [link] and the Embarcadero [link]
Piers 1, 1½, 3 and 5, The Embarcadero; San Francisco, California
Pier 15 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111 [link]
Parking info at [link]
Exploratorium Pier 15 Parking Lot [link], Open 24/7, entrance on Front Street, Use discount code 1234000 and receive below rates
October–February $15 flat rate
March–September (peak season) $15 for 3 hours
$20 for 4 hours
$25–$40 for 4+ hours (rate for 4+ hours varies by day)
Evening rate (after 4 p.m., year-round) $10
Pier 19 ½ Parking Lot [link]
Monday–Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–10:15 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Temporary entrance at Pier 19 off Embarcadero heading north
Use discount code 1234000 and receive below rates:
October–February $15 flat rate
March–September (peak season) $15 for 3 hours
$20 for 4 hours
$25–$40 for 4+ hours (rate for 4+ hours varies by day)
Almost San Francisco
See the planes land at SFO and pick up sea glass from Coyote Point Recreation Area [link] and visit CuriOdyssey [link]
Peninsula
See Google HQ [link]
See the Android sculptures at Google [link]
See Facebook headquarters [link]
Visit the Apple store in Palo Alto [link]
Visit the Apple store at Infinite Loop (HQ before the spaceship) [link]
Visit the Apple spaceship (Apple HQ) [link]
Get a burger on the King's road at In-N-Out in Mountain View [link]
East Bay: Berkeley
Go to the original Peets [link]
Beyond the Peninsula
See monarchs fly under the arch at Natural Bridges State Beach [link]
Drive through beautiful strawberry fields and visit Sunset State Beach [link]
See a giant pacific octopus and other animals at Monterey Bay Aquarium [link]
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 [link]
Car directions form Half Moon Bay at [link] (90.1 miles)
Parking
Lots
Cannery Row Lot 7: 160 Irving St. Monterey, CA [link]
$15.00 for all day, $5.00 after 4:00 PM. Visa or MasterCard. Enforced 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Cannery Row Parking Garage: 601 Foam St. Monterey, CA [link]
A flat rate will be charged at entry, Visa or MasterCard accepted.
Cannery Row Parking Lot 21: 32 Cannery Row Monterey, CA [link]
$1.50 per hour, $10.00 all day. Visa or MasterCard. Enforced 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Bike Rides
Ride Old La Honda
34.62 miles from Mountain View up Old La Honda and back [link]
Ride your bike around the bay
Ride your bike from Mountain View to Mt. Diablo and Back
131.85 miles [link]
Ride your bike up On Orbit
32.92 miles from Mountain View up On Orbit and back [link]
Ride your bike up Hammy
72.8 miles from Mountain View up Mt. Hamilton and back [link]
Reference
The picture of the Golden Gate Bridge was taken from [link]
