San Francisco

The Rock

During winter break, we took the family on a little road trip to San Francisco. My husband and I have wanted to visit Alcatraz Island for quite some time and decided that we would do it on our last trip. It’s one of those things that is on our bucket list and sounded a bit touristy, but we couldn’t wait to make the visit and we wanted to take the kids.

: Getting Ready to Get on the boat!

The infamous penitentiary, is a mile and a half offshore from San Francisco and rich in history. Not only is touring the island taking a step back in time and a fantastic history lesson, it also fun to explore in a breath taking setting. Is it family friendly? You bet it is! This national park and treasure is one that you have to visit with the family. I promise you will have some fun!

Arriving at the island

The kids were excited about the boat ride over and more than excited to start exploring the island. Getting to the island is only about a 15 minute ferry ride and the kids loved it! It’s always fun to ride a boat when you’re a kid.

The National Parks have a fantastic junior ranger program for the kiddos and there is a great one at Alcatraz. The kids were more than ready to explore the island with both mom and dad.

Ready to become a Jr. Ranger

What I loved about visiting Alcatraz, is that you tour at your own pace. You walk around as long as you want and make your trip what you want to make it. I think we only spent about three hours and that included exploring the island and taking the self guided tour with headsets of the penitentiary.

The views are amazing!

The kiddos loved being able to put on their headsets and learn all about the history of this famous place. They loved every second of it!

Walking through the prison is an experience like no other!

After a little walk around of the island we were ready to take the tour. Grab your headphones and be prepared for an interesting history lesson.

The kids loved being able to use their headphones, ask questions and hear all about the "bad guys".

We had a great time and I can’t wait to head back this summer and take one of the evening excursions with my husband.

The view of San Francisco from the island is out of this world!

If you are planning to visit Alcatraz make sure to make reservations. This is imperative! I can’t tell you how many people were turned away on the day we were there because the day was sold out. If you are going plan on making a reservation. Alcatraz Tours is the only and official ferry service to the park. You can reserve your tickets by heading here. For additional information about this national park head here.

Aquarium of the Bay

I love family vacations and the last week of Winter Break we decided to head up North for a week away in the Central Coast and San Francisco. We love the Central Coast and the Bay Area and it was the perfect place to visit with the family. We couldn’t ask for better weather, it was in the 60’s and 70’s most of the week we were there.

While we were in San Francisco we decided to take the family to visit The Aquarium of the Bay. The Aquarium is located in the heart of San Francisco’s history and culture. They are nestled in the shadow of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill on Fisherman’s Wharf at PIER 39, along the City’s “Walkable Waterfront.”

San Francisco Bay's Aquarium

The Aquarium of the Bay partners with The Bay Institute to protect, restore and inspire the conservation of San Francisco Bay, from the Sierra to the Sea. The Aquarium features marine life found in the Bay of San Francisco. There are about 20,000 animals including Sevengill Sharks that my kiddos were absolutely enthralled with.

: Credit: Aquarium of the Bay

The Aquarium is home to a 700,000 gallon Aquarium Tunnels. We loved being able to step on a walkway and be surrounded by beautiful sharks and stingrays swimming above us.

I snapped this photo and I can't get over the beauty of the Jellfish

The Aquarium features walls of jellies which I could have watched for hours! They are incredibly beautiful creatures.

I could watch for hours!

We had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium. I can’t rave about this experience enough! It’s only $10 more per ticket and worth every single penny. We went on the 4pm tour and it turned out to be a tour for just five of us. Our family and an additional patron and it felt like a personal and very exclusive behind the magic tour.

We walked not the catwalk above the tunnel aquariums and I can’t even begin to describe how cool it was. We also learned how the animals are fed and how they are cared for. The kids loved being able to ask questions and it made for a memorable experience. You really have to experience it for yourself.

The Aquarium is open every day of the year except for Christmas. For additional information head here.