DK Travel : San Francisco : Outdoor

Bay Quackers Duck Tour

A wacky land and sea tour of San Francisco in a decommissioned WWII amphibious vehicle called a "DUKW" and nicknamed a "Duck".

Before the tour, the guide distributes plastic yellow “quackers” and leads everyone in a little warm-up exercise. During the tour, passengers are encouraged to quack at passersby, locals, and tourists, many of whom actually quack back (this alone is worth the price of the tour for me, and frankly restores my faith in humanity).

The 90-minute tour takes you through Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, and Union Square. At China Basin (south of AT&T Park), the Duck magically morphs into a boat, and everyone gets a chance to drive (kids included).

I'm a fan of these tours for the same reason I like the motorized cable car tours: you can see something of the city while sitting on your butt. Who doesn't need a little rest while traveling with kids?
Biking Across Golden Gate Bridge

On Fisherman's Wharf there are a number of bike hire companies that rent by the hour or by the day. As well as 'bike the bridge' a number of other intineraries are available that include ferry connection to Marin County.
Huntington Park Playground

Yes, I'm sick of hanging out at playgrounds too, but this one is an exception! Lush lawns, comfy benches, a beautiful fountain, cable cars trundling past, and exquisite views of Grace Cathedral.

Families will have a hard time tearing themselves away from this poshest of all parks.

If your child is afraid of dogs, this might not be the place for you. Residents pay no mind to the posted leash law.
Labyrinths at Grace Cathedral

Ignore the meditative people shuffling around like they've had too much cold medicine, and let your children have fun solving this puzzle with their feet. There are two labyrinths at Grace Cathedral---we recommend the outdoors one. Climb the steps, turn right, and you're there.

Nob Hill is pretty posh, but there's a nice children's playground across the street in Huntington Park if your kids have extra energy to burn afterwards.
Parrot-spotting on Telegraph Hill

Explore Telegraph Hill on foot looking for the wild parrot flock that roosts there in all their green and red squawking glory. Trust me, if these clownish avians are anywhere nearby, you can’t miss them.

Meander down the pedestrian-only Filbert Steps, just under Coit Tower. If you don’t find them there, try the park at Drumm and Clay (especially at dusk). Unfortunately, it's illegal to feed them anymore, but they're still fun to watch.
Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Lobos is one of California's most beautiful state parks, located on the coast about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is outstanding for hiking, sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, & SCUBA diving. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters and migrating gray whales (from December to May), as well as numerous sea birds.
Purisima Creek Redwoods

A series of hiking trails takes you through this former Redwood forest. The Douglas Firs are jaw-droppingly big enough but it's the boles of the Redwoods which give you some sense of the former glories of this woodland. The Redwood stumps have now thrown up "daughter" trees to give you some sense of their past but it still leaves you aching for a time machine. You'll probably also see the Banana Slug, the World's second biggest slug, just try and avoid treading on them.
San Mateo Central Park

San Mateo Central Park 50 E. 5th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401

Central Park is San Mateo’s signature park. It has lighted tennis courts, bocce ball courts, a playground and a baseball field.

Japanese Tea Garden The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the finest tea gardens in California and was designed by landscape architect, Nagao Sakurai of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo. It features a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. The Japanese Tea Garden is beautiful throughout the year, but be sure to visit in the late Winter and early Spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. The Japanese Garden hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Koi fish feeding is twice daily at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information about the Japanese Tea Garden, call (650) 522-7440.
Sea Lion Colony

At the end of Pier 39 is an enormous, vociferous, and pungent colony of California Sea Lions. These lazy pinipeds don’t bother migrating anymore, so they’re a sure thing year round. They're a real hit with kids and adults alike.

To avoid the schlock (and myriad spending opportunities) of Pier 39, simply skirt around the left side of the pier. As many times as I've been to see the sea lions, I always find myself barking back.