Oakland, San Francisco Trip (What to do?)

[darkknight]

I'm going to take a trip with my family for my wifes graduation gift to Oakland, San Francisco on May 20th. We are going there because she has family there and wanted to take a trip before starting her new career. Anyone from around that area know any good collector shops or anything fun to do down there? Keep in mind I got a 3 year old son. I know before we leave SF we are going to a baseball game. She wouldn't mind going to SDCC but during that time I got a training in Alaska for military Maybe next year.

 

[plasmid303]

Sweet, bro. Will this be your first time visiting San Francisco and Oakland?

 

[darkknight]

Sweet, bro. Will this be your first time visiting San Francisco and Oakland?

Yeah, you around that area? Thinking of checking out the Alcatraz tour, but the wifey is kind of scared

 

[plasmid303]

Yeah, you around that area? Thinking of checking out the Alcatraz tour, but the wifey is kind of scared

I'm in Sacramento and I go to SF a few times every year (Oakland, not so much). Alcatraz might sound intimidating, but it's harmless and the view from the island is astounding. Go for the view, it's worth it.

Since it's a family trip, I could recommend seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf). If your kid was a bit older I'd definitely suggest going to the Exploratorium.

As for collectibles, I'm not too sure in that regard. There's a couple shops in JapanTown (which I recommend going to anyway) that carry some Medicom, HT, and SS stuff along with lots of other Japanese toys. There are some great restaurants and shops there too.

One of my favorite ice cream shops, Joe's, is right across the street from a collectibles and comics shop that carries a decent selection of 1/6 and other Marvel/DC stuff.

Otherwise I'd just suggest walking around and exploring.

 

[darkknight]

Thanks bro! JapanTown here I come We generally are going for sight seeing and such, I'll keep these places in mind. Yeah Golden Gate is a must. Is there a local amusement park?

 

[tbay]

This is a pretty good collectible/comic shop in San Francisco:

https://www.candccentral.com/directions.html

The 1/6 displays are pretty awesome at this shop, but everything is WAY overpriced:

https://www.artoftoy.com/

Golden Gate Park is a great place to visit (Japanese garden, Academy of Sciences). I'd check out the Palace of Fine Arts and Lombard Street (crooked street) too.

 

[tbay]

In Oakland there's a kid's theme park (no rides for adults or anything, but i bet your 3 year old will like it):

https://www.fairyland.org/

The closest roller coaster style amusement park is about 1 hour south of san francisco:

https://www.pgathrills.com/

 

[darkknight]

This is a pretty good collectible/comic shop in San Francisco:

https://www.candccentral.com/directions.html

The 1/6 displays are pretty awesome at this shop, but everything is WAY overpriced:

https://www.artoftoy.com/

Golden Gate Park is a great place to visit (Japanese garden, Academy of Sciences). I'd check out the Palace of Fine Arts and Lombard Street (crooked street) too.

Thanks bro, damn that artoftoy are really pricey. Need to bring a GPS, I'm coming from Hawaii and I hope I don't get loss Looks like there is a lot of great places to stop by

 

[plasmid303]

Thanks bro! JapanTown here I come We generally are going for sight seeing and such, I'll keep these places in mind. Yeah Golden Gate is a must. Is there a local amusement park?

Sorry that's something I don't know.

They're not local, but I've only been to Six Flag's Discovery Kingdom, which is probably one of the more popular (not to mention large and busy) theme parks in the bay area. It's about an hour outside of SF. And then there's California's Great America, which is another big amusement park.

In Oakland there's a kid's theme park (no rides for adults or anything, but i bet your 3 year old will like it):

https://www.fairyland.org/

Yeah that's the one that's really close to Joe's Ice Cream. I stop there every time I'm in SF (for ice cream, i mean)

 

[darkknight]

^ Thanks guys, I will keep all those in mind. Hope I don't spend too much.

 

[automaton]

Art of Toy is terribly overpriced... but worth a peek... nice thing about San Fran, everything is a quick cab ride away... i recommend Union Square for a taste of the city life, a trolly ride to the pier for a little adventure, and Haight Ashbury for a little culture...

 

[Saya]

they have the tour to alcatraz- kids love to do that, and its kinda cool./china town/Fishermans Wharf.

Thats about all I can think of. have a great trip.

 

[ProgMatinee]

Definately the wharf. Make sure you get some clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and ride the trolly.

South of San Fran is San jose which has a good amusement park and a nice water park.

 

[darkknight]

Will try to stop by Art of Toy just for the fun of it, is fishermans wharf mostly for site seeing? Thanks to all for all the info. I appreciate it

 

[Saya]

Will try to stop by Art of Toy just for the fun of it, is fishermans wharf mostly for site seeing? Thanks to all for all the info. I appreciate it

Yeah, Fishermans Wharf has: shops, restaurants touristy stuff like that. fun tho. I think they even have a ripley's believe it or not museum and a wax museum down there somewhere near pier 39. get one of those tourist books from AAA. they're free and have all the stuff you can do there.

 

[darkknight]

they have the tour to alcatraz- kids love to do that, and its kinda cool./china town/Fishermans Wharf.

Thats about all I can think of. have a great trip.

Just was talking to my wife about the alcatraz tour, she doesn't want to go because she said its haunted, she don't want to bring my son in there She told me to go by myself.

 

[Saya]

thats funny. I thought it was great. but Im into that stuff. You will really dig it. the cells are tiny and they did a good job preserving how it was back then. If your their you should do it, its not that long either.

 

[darkknight]

thats funny. I thought it was great. but Im into that stuff. You will really dig it. the cells are tiny and they did a good job preserving how it was back then. If your their you should do it, its not that long either.

How much is the tour, I wouldn't mind going by myself.

 

[Saya]

Oh man, Im not sure anymore been a few yrs since Ive been. but you could find out online. But its worth looking into, I dont think its too much.

 

[BeachBum]

If you're going to be in Oakland, then yes, take the kid to Children's Fairyland, it is great for 3 yr olds. Great America and 6 Flags are more for older kids. If you get over to Fisherman's Wharf, take the family to Ghiradelli Sqaure and stop at the ice cream shop. There will be a line, but it will be worth it-- and doesn't every 3 yr old love ice cream?

What else? Children's Playground in Golden Gate Park, my neice loved that place, in fact, she's in her early 20s now and she still likes going there.

The Academy of Science is amazing, might go over the head of a 3 yr old, but you'll enjoy it. If you go there, make sure you go up on the roof.

Have fun.