Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 22:02     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:Echoing earlier posters. SF is great for lots of reasons — awesome restaurants etc. — but it also has weird weather and can be surprisingly cold think coats in July. You basically need to drive out to Napa to escape the cold/foggy weather pattern. The PNW is arguably at about its best in the summer months.


Ha you just need to go 15 minutes to the East Bay. Berkeley and Oakland in summer are pretty much perfect weather.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 21:59     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Echoing earlier posters. SF is great for lots of reasons — awesome restaurants etc. — but it also has weird weather and can be surprisingly cold think coats in July. You basically need to drive out to Napa to escape the cold/foggy weather pattern. The PNW is arguably at about its best in the summer months.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 17:26     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

I really like both cities. But San Francisco has those moments that really take your breathe away. It can be such a beautiful city at moments in time. And if you are traveling with kids, there are a gazillion things to do in the general region, like Point Reyes or the redwoods. But it's cold as hell in June-ish. There's the Mark Twain quote - "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." Whereas the Seattle area is usually perfect at that season. And that too has a great setting with tons to do.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 17:04     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Palo Alto I mean


LOL Palo Alto - it's a high end suburb what on earth would you do there? But, on the topic of OPs question, SF itself is terrific with lots of cool neighborhoods and easy access to beautiful coast and wine country just north of city. But please, skip PA, it is dreadfully boring.


Yes all ages of kids have a great time in wine country.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 16:15     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids but I also think you're underestimating just how much kids are entertained by an open field to run around in.

San Francisco my kid absolutely didn't want to leave the because we visited. He was just running around and putting his toes in the water (too cold to do anything else) and could have done that for most of the day.


Yes, little kids are easily amused.

I literally saw a dad struggling to coax his little one away from a puddle on the walkway at the Polynesian on their way to the pool. The kid would have been content splashing in a rain puddle all day…but he was a toddler.

Tweens and teens need something to do. And pre-tweens require age appropriate fun.


I like how multiple people who have been to both cities have said "yes there's lots to do with kids", and some have posted lists. But still, PP is somehow convinced that this idea is impossible.


Yes, she is the most negative of Nellies!
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 16:00     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:Palo Alto I mean


LOL Palo Alto - it's a high end suburb what on earth would you do there? But, on the topic of OPs question, SF itself is terrific with lots of cool neighborhoods and easy access to beautiful coast and wine country just north of city. But please, skip PA, it is dreadfully boring.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 07:32     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In Seattle, the Rem Koolhaas designed public library is a nice way to spend a morning as well. Also the outdoor sculpture garden. The farmers markets all over the city are the best of almost anywhere in the world in summer. The San Juan islands are worthy of exploration. You could do a day trip by ferry to Victoria.

And who are you people who need to entertain kids? We always brought our kids with us on trips we wanted to go on. We always had fun interesting times. Honestly, you sound like you’re raising spoiled brats.


“So, what kind of family vacations did you go on as a child?”

“We really didn’t take big vacations. My parents liked visiting libraries and parks in random US cities and we mostly stayed in airbnbs. I’ve never been to Europe or South America or even the Caribbean or Disney World, but I’ve been to San Francisco and Seattle.”

JK

I think there’s a window during childhood when certain trips are magical. And like others, my family has fun wherever we go. But we prioritize travel and essentially sort it into two buckets: trips and vacations. A long weekend in Seattle or Boston is a trip. Two weeks in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is a vacation. And while we might pop into a library to see the architecture or a special item, we definitely wouldn’t plan half a day in a library with tweens or teens.


A library or used bookstore is a highlight for my teen, and I have to drag them away. Also thrift stores. They can go to the museum or historical site I want to go to, and then we also go some places they like.


Actually they've also wanted to stay in some art museums longer than I do. Either way, there's nothing wrong with traveling to San Francisco and Seattle. My childhood was very similar what you make fun of in your quote, but even "less" with no airplanes and no full weeks and only one major city, but that's not a failure of my parents! You can make family memories in Williamsburg or plenty of other places close by.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2025 07:22     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In Seattle, the Rem Koolhaas designed public library is a nice way to spend a morning as well. Also the outdoor sculpture garden. The farmers markets all over the city are the best of almost anywhere in the world in summer. The San Juan islands are worthy of exploration. You could do a day trip by ferry to Victoria.

And who are you people who need to entertain kids? We always brought our kids with us on trips we wanted to go on. We always had fun interesting times. Honestly, you sound like you’re raising spoiled brats.


“So, what kind of family vacations did you go on as a child?”

“We really didn’t take big vacations. My parents liked visiting libraries and parks in random US cities and we mostly stayed in airbnbs. I’ve never been to Europe or South America or even the Caribbean or Disney World, but I’ve been to San Francisco and Seattle.”

JK

I think there’s a window during childhood when certain trips are magical. And like others, my family has fun wherever we go. But we prioritize travel and essentially sort it into two buckets: trips and vacations. A long weekend in Seattle or Boston is a trip. Two weeks in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is a vacation. And while we might pop into a library to see the architecture or a special item, we definitely wouldn’t plan half a day in a library with tweens or teens.


A library or used bookstore is a highlight for my teen, and I have to drag them away. Also thrift stores. They can go to the museum or historical site I want to go to, and then we also go some places they like.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 17:12     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:Spouse and I lived in SF for over a decade and will be returning for a week this summer with DC. There is no way we would run out of things to do/see in the greater Bay area in a week.

That said, SF is COLD in the summer. Like wear a puffy and a beanie cold. Unless you're in the Mission, then it's tank top hot. The temperature can easily change 30 degrees within 7 miles east/south in any direction. If you're not prepared for that, go to Seattle. Unlike SF, summer is the absolute best time to visit Seattle.


Coming from DC in the summer, the chill in SF is so refreshing…just need to be prepared for it. It’s crazy how much different the weather is if you go inland just a little bit. San Jose and SF are maybe 40 minutes apart, but weather wise, worlds apart.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 14:36     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Spouse and I lived in SF for over a decade and will be returning for a week this summer with DC. There is no way we would run out of things to do/see in the greater Bay area in a week.

That said, SF is COLD in the summer. Like wear a puffy and a beanie cold. Unless you're in the Mission, then it's tank top hot. The temperature can easily change 30 degrees within 7 miles east/south in any direction. If you're not prepared for that, go to Seattle. Unlike SF, summer is the absolute best time to visit Seattle.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 13:35     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:In Seattle, the Rem Koolhaas designed public library is a nice way to spend a morning as well. Also the outdoor sculpture garden. The farmers markets all over the city are the best of almost anywhere in the world in summer. The San Juan islands are worthy of exploration. You could do a day trip by ferry to Victoria.

And who are you people who need to entertain kids? We always brought our kids with us on trips we wanted to go on. We always had fun interesting times. Honestly, you sound like you’re raising spoiled brats.


“So, what kind of family vacations did you go on as a child?”

“We really didn’t take big vacations. My parents liked visiting libraries and parks in random US cities and we mostly stayed in airbnbs. I’ve never been to Europe or South America or even the Caribbean or Disney World, but I’ve been to San Francisco and Seattle.”

JK

I think there’s a window during childhood when certain trips are magical. And like others, my family has fun wherever we go. But we prioritize travel and essentially sort it into two buckets: trips and vacations. A long weekend in Seattle or Boston is a trip. Two weeks in the Caribbean or Mediterranean is a vacation. And while we might pop into a library to see the architecture or a special item, we definitely wouldn’t plan half a day in a library with tweens or teens.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 12:34     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

In Seattle, the Rem Koolhaas designed public library is a nice way to spend a morning as well. Also the outdoor sculpture garden. The farmers markets all over the city are the best of almost anywhere in the world in summer. The San Juan islands are worthy of exploration. You could do a day trip by ferry to Victoria.

And who are you people who need to entertain kids? We always brought our kids with us on trips we wanted to go on. We always had fun interesting times. Honestly, you sound like you’re raising spoiled brats.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 12:22     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids but I also think you're underestimating just how much kids are entertained by an open field to run around in.

San Francisco my kid absolutely didn't want to leave the because we visited. He was just running around and putting his toes in the water (too cold to do anything else) and could have done that for most of the day.


Yes, little kids are easily amused.

I literally saw a dad struggling to coax his little one away from a puddle on the walkway at the Polynesian on their way to the pool. The kid would have been content splashing in a rain puddle all day…but he was a toddler.

Tweens and teens need something to do. And pre-tweens require age appropriate fun.


I like how multiple people who have been to both cities have said "yes there's lots to do with kids", and some have posted lists. But still, PP is somehow convinced that this idea is impossible.


Also, funny you posted about something from Disney. I have never been to Disney Orlando or California, have no desire to ever go, never once considered taking my kids, happy they are now past the target demo age. It's not my thing. But I don't think other people are crazy or dumb or deluding themselves for going.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 12:19     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids but I also think you're underestimating just how much kids are entertained by an open field to run around in.

San Francisco my kid absolutely didn't want to leave the because we visited. He was just running around and putting his toes in the water (too cold to do anything else) and could have done that for most of the day.


Yes, little kids are easily amused.

I literally saw a dad struggling to coax his little one away from a puddle on the walkway at the Polynesian on their way to the pool. The kid would have been content splashing in a rain puddle all day…but he was a toddler.

Tweens and teens need something to do. And pre-tweens require age appropriate fun.


I like how multiple people who have been to both cities have said "yes there's lots to do with kids", and some have posted lists. But still, PP is somehow convinced that this idea is impossible.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2025 12:13     Subject: Can’t decide…Seattle or San Francisco

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the ages of the kids but I also think you're underestimating just how much kids are entertained by an open field to run around in.

San Francisco my kid absolutely didn't want to leave the because we visited. He was just running around and putting his toes in the water (too cold to do anything else) and could have done that for most of the day.


Yes, little kids are easily amused.

I literally saw a dad struggling to coax his little one away from a puddle on the walkway at the Polynesian on their way to the pool. The kid would have been content splashing in a rain puddle all day…but he was a toddler.

Tweens and teens need something to do. And pre-tweens require age appropriate fun.