Weekend Wrap Up: Playing Tourist in San Francisco the Budget-Friendly, Kid-Friendly Way during the Holidays

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Hope everyone had a great weekend and got some last minute shopping done!  I know we did!  This weekend was very rare as we didn’t have anything planned, which means we got to play tourist in the City.  Something I love to do, because there is a never-ending list of things to do!

Tourist Stop #1:  The Fairmont Hotel’s Gingerbread House

I saw on the news that the Fairmont had made the biggest Gingerbread House and of course, I had to see it with baby.  From what I can recall, the last time I went to the Fairmont was to have drinks & go dancing at the infamous Tonga Room via Anthony Bourdain’s Layover show.  Good times! Pre-baby, of course!

When you enter the Fairmont from the Main Entrance, you will see the Gingerbread House right away.

Fee: $0

Kid-Friendly:  Absolutely!  This was meant for the kids!

Stroller-Friendly:  Easy ramp access to the right of the entrance, but why they have the smoker’s area right in front of that door?  I don’t know why!

Pet-Friendly:  Apparently, didn’t bring our pups but saw a few well-behaved dogs inside.

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Tourist Stop #2:  The Grace Cathedral

http://www.gracecathedral.org/

This is a beautiful church if you like to see architecture and beauty all-in-one.  Also, you can find some unique gift ideas in their gift shop.

Fee:  $0; donations accepted

Kid-Friendly:  Yes, those stairs at the front of the church should get your kid tired on their way up!

Stroller-Friendly:  Yes!  There is a separate entrance to the right of the stairs where there is also a very clean bathroom with plenty of stalls and diaper changing station.  There’s even a Peet’s coffee in this hallway as well.

Pet-Friendly:  I’m sure only service dogs allowed.

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Tourist Stop #3:  The Union Square Christmas Tree

http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/event/holiday_tree_lighting_ceremony2

This is the time of the year to take that obligatory photo-op with the City’s famous Union Square Tree & Menorah.

Fee:  $0 to see the tree & people watch 🙂

Kid-Friendly:  Definitely!  For a fee, you can pay to have your kids ice skate & get them tired.

Stroller-Friendly:  Yes, just find the areas where the ramps are or you could be circling a while.

Pet-Friendly:  Yes, plenty of space for everyone here and even grass! Except dogs can’t ice skate 🙂

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Tourist Stop #4:  The Nutcracker Under the Dome Light Show

http://www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco/entertainment/nutcracker/

This short light show in the Westfield Shopping mall is great and kept our little one entertained while we enjoyed a hot beverage and some snacks 🙂  It also reminded us being in Vegas; somewhere we think we wont be going for a long time 🙂

Fee:  $0

Kid-Friendly:  Yes! However, baby almost broke her neck looking up right under the dome so maybe pick those ottoman-like seats around the edge and lay down to see this short light show 🙂

Stroller-Friendly:  Yes!  You’ll find strollers galore here.

Pet- Friendly:  Yes, one of the many reasons I love this Westfield shopping center.

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Tourist Stop #5:  Winter Walk SF (Stockton St. Between Geary & Ellis)

This area has been turned into a pedestrian walkway with Food Trucks, Balloon Artists, Bubble Makers, Live Music and more!

Fee:  $0 (However, food trucks available for meals & snacks and tips for balloon artists, etc.)

Kid-Friendly:  Definitely!  Parents, this is your perfect rest stop and play area for kids.  Plenty of space to run around!

Stroller-Friendly: Yes – That artificial grass is so easy to wheel through compared to real grass

Pet-Friendly:  Yes – you’ll find volunteers for animal shelters here with pets you can adopt or owners with their dogs in all shapes & sizes.

 

 

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So, there you have it!  A full day in San Francisco getting to know the City during the Holidays with your kin and pets in tow without breaking the budget because all those gifts you bought already did!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

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