Pretzel’s San Francisco Travel Guide

Hi Palz!

Today I'm sharing my absolute favorite family friendly spots in my hometown of San Francisco. Get ready for an adventure filled with exciting sights, yummy smells, and the most magical places that make my tail wag!

Sea Lions & China Town

Making Friends at Pier 39

ARF! ARF! ARF! That's the sound of my sea lion friends at Pier 39. This is where I met my friend Buttercup the Sea Lion and her whole family. They're super loud and silly, and even though we speak different languages, we still have the best time together!

Pretzel's Tip: Visit the sea lions early in the day when they're most active and chatty! They’re at Pier 39 almost year round (but migrate in June through mid July).

Riding the Cable Cars Through Chinatown

For the most amazing adventure from Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown, hop on the Powell-Mason cable car line! You can find it at Taylor and Bay Streets (that's super close to where my sea lion friends live!).

The cable car will go DING-DING all the way up those fun San Francisco hills and drop you off at Powell and Washington/Jackson Streets. That puts you right at the edge of Chinatown – how exciting! From there, just wiggle your way east to Grant Street, where you'll find the MOST magical red lanterns dancing in the breeze above your head! My nose always leads me straight to the fortune cookie factory where the sweet smells make my tummy rumble with happiness!

Pretzel's Tip: Start your cable car journey early in the morning to avoid long lines, and don't forget to look up at all the beautiful buildings as you ride!

Bay Side Adventures

Magical Science Fun at the Exploratorium

At Pier 15 is one of my absolute FAVORITE places in the whole wide world – the Exploratorium! My ears perk up and my tail wags super fast whenever we visit this magical palace of science and wonder!

Inside, there are hundreds of paw-on exhibits where you can make giant bubbles, play with light and shadows, create musical sounds, and even see a real fog bridge! My eyes get SO big trying to see everything at once! 

Pretzel's Tip: Ask for a scavenger hunt sheet when you first arrive. The friendly humans at the front desk will give you a list of exciting exhibits to find, like a treasure hunt!

Tasty Treats at the Ferry Building

After your Chinatown adventure, take a stroll down to the Ferry Building! My nose goes absolutely wild at this big, beautiful marketplace filled with the most amazing smells that make my tail wag non-stop. From fresh-baked bread to yummy cheese and sweet treats, there's something to make everyone's tummy happy!

Pretzel's Tip: On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, there's a special farmers' market outside where you can taste fruits and veggies right from nearby farms. I love watching the big ferry boats come and go! Check farmers’ market hours here.

Adventure to Angel Island

Right from the Ferry Building, hop on a ferry for the most magical day trip to Angel Island! This special island in the middle of the bay feels like a secret adventure waiting to happen.

When you arrive, you can hike up to the very top of Mount Livermore where you can see ALL of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and even the Bay Bridge all at once! The views make my heart do happy flips. If hiking isn't your style, you can take a fun tram tour around the island or—my absolute favorite—rent electric bikes to zoom around the island! The electric bikes make going up the hills super easy and SO much fun for the whole family.

Pretzel's Tip: Pack plenty of snacks for your island adventure, there’s not much to sniff out on the island! 

Park Fun

Golden Gate Park: A Floral Paradise!

My heart does a happy dance whenever I visit Golden Gate Park! With over 1,000 acres to explore, my favorite spot is definitely the Botanical Garden! I love chasing butterflies through the California Native Garden where wildflowers bloom, their petals bright as jewels in the sunshine! The Garden of Fragrance has the most amazing smells that make my nose wiggle with excitement! 

Pretzel's Tip: Did you know that there are bison in Golden Gate Park? Visit the Bison Paddock and say hello!

Exploring Magical Alamo Square Park

Just a short bus ride from Golden Gate Park is Alamo Square Park, where my friends and I love to play fetch! This park has the prettiest view of colorful houses all in a row (humans call them the "Painted Ladies"). 

The park has plenty of space to run around and meet other puppy pals, and if you stand at the top of the hill, you can see all the way to downtown!

Pretzel's Tip: This is the perfect spot for a family photo with the city skyline behind you!

 

The most amazing adventures happen when you follow your curiosity! San Francisco is full of magical corners waiting to be discovered, so keep your ears perked, your nose wiggling, and your eyes wide open!

Fill your own notebook with drawings and stories from your San Francisco adventure, and remember - the best memories are the ones you make with your palz!

Love, 

Pretzel 

 

Want to take Pretzel home with you? Check out The San Francisco Collection with all of Pretzel's favorite San Francisco adventures!