SF Area to stay w/ 2 kids?

I have read several forums about the three good areas to stay in SF for walking and site seeing and just taking in the beauty of the city(we are thinking of not renting a car, only for a day or to take a trip to Redwoods, etc) We have 2 boys ages 10 and 12. Which area would be more fun and interesting - Fisherman%26#39;s Warf, Union Square or Embarcadero? Any hotel recommendations? We%26#39;d like to make this a trip to remember - splurge a bit. It%26#39;s been years since my husband and I have been up to SF. The kids have never seen the city. I%26#39;ve taken notes from this site%26#39;s forums - lots of great suggestions for spending time in SF with kids - Alcatraz, Exploratorium, Academy of Science, etc. However, what is the Segway tour? It was mentioned but not defined . Any suggestions and input is appreciated. My boys also love music (play guitar, sax, base) Is there a music venu that%26#39;s appropriate for kids? FYI - We%26#39;ll be up late August.

Thanks!

SF Area to stay w/ 2 kids?

For the moment, I%26#39;ll just address two of the things you mentioned that you were interested in. The Calif. Academy of Sciences is still at its temporary home at 875 Howard, while the new Golden Gate Park campus is being built.

http://www.calacademy.org/

Of course, the Howard site is not as extensive as the full facility, but they were able to relocate a lot of exhibits and also create some new ones.

875 Howard is near 5th St. two blocks south of Market. You can walk there from the Powell St. cable turnaround or any public transit stop at Market and Powell, 4th, or 5th.

The Segway is a battery-powered human transporter that you stand on and maneuver by body motion. Here is their website.

http://www.sfelectrictour.com/index.html

I have not been on a Segway, but they have a very highly respected endorsement; when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was here two years ago, some members took the tour on a free day and reportedly had a fabulous time!

SF Area to stay w/ 2 kids?

I think, for kids 10 %26amp; 12 that Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf might be more fun. Yes, it%26#39;s touristy, but it%26#39;s still fun for kids. The Argonaut has a nautical theme and gets good marks. Also the Holiday Inn Express, seems to get repeat business from some of our travelers.

As for music venues apprppriate for kids... I%26#39;m at a loss here. At first I thought there might be some cool opportunities at the Blue Bear School of Music, but it looks like their showcases already ended in June and they are in the middle of their ten-week class cycle. The next one isn%26#39;t until September. Just in case you%26#39;re curious about Blue Bear, which is intended to teach kids how to play popular music, I%26#39;ll post the link:

www.bluebear.org

It%26#39;s over at Fort Mason, which is also by the water, and an interesting place to explore and isn%26#39;t too far from Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf.

We just got back from a trip to SF with 2 kids. We stayed at Fishermans Wharf - the Tuscan Inn. It was a very good location - close by almost everything. There%26#39;s a grocery store right across the street for snacks. I also highly recommend the Alcatraz tour.

Having also stayed in SF with my then 10 yr old son I would also go for Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf. He%26#39;s 12 now and still talking about Alcatraz!

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