FAMILY-FRIENDLY SAN FRANCISKO

San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive, but families can stay in Marin County in one of the low-cost/high-value hotels and B&Bs, and then simply take the ferry at Larkspur Landing into the city. Kids love the boat ride, and it beats fighting the Golden Gate and downtown traffic. Once in San Fran, stroll through Union Square and continue on to Chinatown for lunch. Or visit Fisherman's Wharf and then trolley back to the Ferry Building, with its sensational food market and Farmer's Market. Don’t miss Golden Gate Park, which houses the country’s oldest Japanese garden, and the San Francisco Zoo, both of which have excellent bus connections.