{This is a mom-daughter vacation that my teen daughter and I took to California this summer…very generously provided through Disney Parks Canada &Travel California.}
Now that our city is covered in snow for the winter, I can’t help but to think back to the most amazing California adventure that my daughter & I enjoyed this summer. If winter has you thinking of a warm weather family vacation in the not-too-distant future, I have some great suggestions on where you may want to visit. Let’s start with San Francisco, shall we?
Where do you go when you want to enjoy a vibrant city, shopping and lots of exciting adventure? My daughter and I were completely smitten with this city from the moment we got off the plane. Every wonderful thing you have ever heard about San Francisco is…. absolutely true! This city we discovered on our short stay there left us with such an impression that we are eager to go back again to explore more!
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While in San Francisco for only a few days, we were treated to a city that is not only amazing in beauty, but full of life and with endless things to do. My teen daughter loved it so much that she declared that she would like to move there one day! Here are a few of the fantastic things that we enjoyed about San Francisco while there and that we highly recommend as a fun family experience!
The Westin St. Francis
We loved our stay in this historic hotel which has been a part of the San Francisco landscape since opening on March 24, 1904. Not only luxurious, but it was located right in the heart of downtown San Francisco which gave us a feel for the real pulse of the city. Within walking distance to a myriad of shops and restaurants, it provided us with a walk-around experience that was completely awesome for finding fun and adventure in the city.. From the comfortable beds, the beautiful lobby and the fantastic breakfast buffet…we would not hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to San Francisco.
The Golden Gate Bridge
It is amazing to see this beautiful piece of engineering in real life. We walked only a small distance across it, but it felt much larger in real life than from seeing it from a distance. You could walk, run or rent bicycles to ride across the bridge, but my daughter is afraid of heights so we opted for just a short walk on the bridge. But another time, we would have loved to pack a picnic lunch and maybe go for the bike ride across.It’s such a scenic area.
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The Hornblower Dinner Cruise
The Hornblower Dinner Cruise was our very first dinner cruise and we loved it!. The delicious food along with the relaxed atmosphere and lovely views of the San Francisco Bay area were a completely enjoyable experience. We left in daylight and we returned in the evening and I could not believe the changing beauty of our surroundings in the golden light of sunset. Look at this beautiful shot of the Golden Gate bridge I captured at sunset as we were cruising by. Majestic.
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The Walt Disney Family Museum
Located in San Francisco’s Presidio area, this museum explores the history of Walt Disney’s fascinating life and his many, many contributions to the fields of films, animation, music, and photography…along with many artifacts such as one of the first prototypes of an underwater camera. There are many of Walt’s original drawings and sketches of his ideas, as well as a full scale model of Disneyland. The day that we visited this museum, a Kite Festival was taking place as part of the Tyrus Wong VIP exhibit. Tyrus Wong was an original animator for Disney who contributed to the film Bambi, among others. Now 102 years old, Mr. Wong was on site at the Presidio flying kites that day and we could see him in the distance with family members.
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Your daughter is beautiful! I love the idea of this trip and that toilet is freaky! No I couldn't do that.
What a fab trip Angie and your photos are wonderful!! Your daughter sure is brave, LOL 🙂
Suz
wow! best vacation ever!! I would love to visit alcatraz! sounds amazing!
San Francisco is the next city on my list to visit! It looks like you had a wonderful time, I can't wait until I can go see this beautiful city for myself! Kudos to Hunter for drinking from the toilet fountain… don't think I could do that one!
Could you drink from a fountain in a toilet bowl?
No way, lol!
What a great vacay. Would love to visit one day.
Haha. I had to do a double take on the toilet bowl.
Looks like a fabulous trip Angie! What a wonderful experience with your daughter!
Alcatraz is totally on our list … one of these days!
I have always wanted to go to San Francisco. Your trip looks incredible and the hotel is amazing! I hope to go one day…soon!
I have always wanted to visit San Fran! The hotel is absolutely beautiful. Being a Disney fan I would love to check out the Walt Disney museum also.
thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and awesome experiences!
I have also always wanted to go to California and San Francisco and I am a wee bit jealous. The first picture is awesome and I think you and your daughter will look back at this time together for years and honestly now I am getting misty thinking about it. This is a fantastic trip to share with your daughter. I am kind of overwhelmed by all that you did while there. I assume it's all shopping and beaches and hills and star spotting in San Fran and then I see a post like this and I really have my eyes opened. So there is a lot more to do there than I ever realized. Maybe when my oldest is about to go to university I will plan a trip like this too for us to remember and look back on for life.
I have never been to San Fran, but have always wanted to. Alcatraz is a must see on my list, but thanks to your post you opened my eyes to other fun things to do. The museum just looks like fun and the pier is a new must "do".
The hotel is stunning! My kind of vacation 🙂
Lovely post Angie! When I was 15 my family briefly stopped in San Francisco on a drive to Disneyland and I've wanted to go back ever since then to really soak up the city! That picture of the bridge through the mist is amazing – can't wait to read about the rest of your adventures.
Raj
Pink Chai Style
I have never been to California before. I followed along with your trip and loved watching your advetures. I thought it was wonderful you could experience it with your daughter. I have had the pleasue if staying at another Westin hotel and loved it. I will have to check this one out if I ever get the chance to visit the area. It is on my bucket list 🙂 Looking forward to reading more
I absolutely love the photo of the bridge with the fog and the one of you and your daughter with the bridge in the background. San Fran is such an amazing city. I've been there once but it was only to pass through. Looks like you had a fantastic trip, Angie! Another trip back there is now on my bucket list!
Sounfs like you gals had a fabulous time! 🙂 I've been wanting to go to SF for ages, and its great to see whats available for tours and shopping! I never in my wildest dreams thought there would be an Alcatraz reunion, lol!! That audio history tour sounds incredible! One if my guilty pleasures is reading "true" ghost stories, mainly for the historical value, and there were a few I read a long time ago originating from there. Would love to visit that place specifically for a spooky tour, heh.
San Francisco is close to San Josee right? I am planning to go to Blogher14 in San Josee and was planning to go to San Fran in the same trip. It will be my birthday while I am there so I think I may treat myself to a stay at the Westin. I am a BIG fan of the chain. Thanks so much for taking 'us' on 'your' trip!
What a fun time you two had!! Many memories made…
Wow – San Fran looks like such a beautiful city with so many fun things to do – I hope to get there one day – your photos tell a lovely story of your trip!
so what? we also have snow… 🙂 🙂 🙂
Your daughter became a beautiful young lady 🙂
when I was 16, I went with my mother to Italy. so I'm sure you two had a great time!!
Oh, If you need a warm place, you know where to find me.
:)Lior