Giggle + Grow

Many visitors have claimed that the Japanese Tea Garden, located inside of Golden Gate Park, is perhaps the most beautiful and serene part of San Francisco. That statement may very well be true, as hundreds of people have had the pleasure of seeing the garden and spending time taking in its incredible natural amenities. The landscaping is truly breathtaking, as well as the detailed Japanese sculptures and miniature pagodas that are also featured here. So when you're in San Francisco, make plans to experience the Japanese Tea Garden's mesmerizing, almost intoxicating natural allure.

If your kids are always curious about the world around them, then their trip to San Francisco's Exploratorium will lead them to lots of answers in a truly fun and educational way. Among the two floors of this facility, you will find several exhibits and attractions that encourage several different types of interaction. Among the impressive 650 exhibits, the kids will learn about such vast subjects as science, art, and perception, just to name a few. The Exploratorium is known as the first and foremost of the world's interactive museums and has won several awards for its consistent presentation of creative exhibits that offer an exceptional level of educational value.

The Alameda Creek Regional Trail is a 12-mile long, multi-use recreation trail that winds along the banks of Alameda Creek from the mouth of Niles Canyon in the east to San Francisco Bay at its western end. Walkers, runners, and cyclists enjoy this popular, picturesque trail.

People who love books love Litquake, the yearly literary festival held every fall in San Francisco. Renowned authors are on hand for lectures and book signings, and interesting panels, workshops and parties are also part of what makes Litquake such an essential event for both readers and writers of all backgrounds. One of the highlights of this event is the three-hour Lit-Crawl through the Mission District that features stops at galleries, bookstores, bars and cafes.