Alaska to SF--

Hi--

I%26#39;m taking my two teens to the Bay area for a four-day trip in early August. We%26#39;re staying in Alameda, and want to use public transport as much as possible--both for practical reasons and b/c i, IMHO, it%26#39;s the *only* way for fully experience SF!

I have a few questions I hope you can answer:

1. Where does the Alameda ferry disembark, in S.F.? Once we disembark from the ferry, do we need to arrange land transporation to get to F.Wharf or Pier 39?

2. Any suggestions for Alacatraz tours?

3. Any other ideas for ';must do'; in SF, with a 14 yo female and 17 yo male?

4. These kids love waterparks--(living in Alaska, it%26#39;s a real treat to go to outdoor water parks)--any suggestions in the vicinity--we will have a car, and plan a Napa trip, as well.

Thanks so much~

Happy travels~

Alaska to SF--

Tundra_rose asked about 芦water parks)--any suggestions in the vicinity--we will have a car, and plan a Napa trip, as well.禄

There%26#39;s one in Vallejo, right next to Napa.

There was, and might still be, a great one in Manteca (arguable the best extant) but it%26#39;s much farther away. I didn%26#39;t see it during two recent passings through.

Alaska to SF--

Tundra Rose,

Regarding your question on where the Alameda ferries terminate in San Francisco: the ferry disembarks at the Ferry Building, at the foot of the Embarcadero, and at Pier 41, which is in the Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf/Pier 39 area. If you plan on disembarking at the Ferry Building, you can take the F trolley to Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf. The F line is operated by Muni, the public transit system for San Francisco. It%26#39;s $1.50 for adults, and 50 cents for those 17 and under.

Regarding ';must do'; in San Francisco: I imagine the Golden Gate Bridge, cable car rides, walking in Golden Gate Park (or renting out rollerblades on a Sunday, as a portion of the park is closed to cars for much of the day), and Union Square may be places to see, especially the latter if any of the three of you are believers of ';retail therapy.';

Coit Tower, Lombard Street (e.g. ';crookedest street in the world';), Alamo Square (the row of Victorian houses often seen in postcards), Ocean Beach, AT%26amp;T Park, and the Transamerica Pyramid may be other things to consider.

Regarding waterparks: Manteca would have been perfect, but I%26#39;m pretty sure they ceased operations. That said, Six Flags Marine World (or whatever they%26#39;re calling it these days) in Vallejo would be your next best bet, as they have a couple of water rides. There is ferry service (Baylink) from San Francisco to Vallejo, but unfortunately, not from Alameda to Vallejo.

rjg

Thank you both for your helpful responses!

The info on the Alameda ferry was especially helpful--

Found the Alacatraz tour info, and am doing the ';night tour';--good thing I checked, b/c all except one night was sold out.

We%26#39;ll go down to Monterey for a couple of days before SF, as well. I%26#39;m so glad I rented a convertible--hoping for sunny weather, since it%26#39;s been raining here--

Water World in Concord is the closet water park to Alameda. There%26#39;s also Raging Waters in San Jose. You should be able to drive to either in less than an hour.