Happy Cow Creamery & Tea

There are many traditions to be celebrated in San Francisco. One of the most iconic is taking a ride on the city's cable cars. They were first put into use in 1873 as a means of offering transportation for citizens who needed a respite from walking up the steep hills in the city. The fact that the cable cars operate in exactly the same way (they grip underground loops of steel to move forward) says quite a lot about this mode of transportation that has survived over one hundred years and is now almost always associated with the city of San Francisco.

Do any of your kids show an interest in art? Whether they love to create it or just take it all in, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art will more than likely inspire some new ideas. Several styles of modern art are featured as the museum regularly rotates its exhibits and attractions. In addition to viewing the art, the kids can actually create some of their own in the various modern art hands-on workshops that are provided on Family Sundays. But be prepared for a good workout, as the museum is an impressive six stories that is topped by a 145-foot skylight tower that the kids will surely want to check out.

When you visit San Francisco for the first time, visiting Alcatraz is definitely a must-do. The Rock, as Alcatraz is known locally, was originally a lighthouse and a military out post and prison before becoming a federal prison. The likes of Al Capone, among others, served their time here. The tour takes you from the shore to this ominous island and the guides are all well-informed and always ready to answer your questions. The inherent drama of Alcatraz itself makes it worth seeing, but the added touches and expert treatment by the guides only underscore how essential it is to see this dramatic facility when you are in the Bay Area.

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.