Travel is more fun with kids

Chinese New Year Traditions

This year is the year of the Tiger. My oldest daughter is a tiger so I am keeping my finger crossed for No Rain on the Parade! We went last year for the second time and we had a great time. It is a fabulous event. Even though we are not Asian, the cultural mix of the Bay Area make it a fabulous opportunity to share other people’s customs and celebrations.

The Chinese New Year is dependent on the Lunar Calendar and therefore changes every year. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 14th and we will enter the lunar year 4708. People will tell each other Gung Hey Fat Choy" which means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth".

It is fun to check yours and family members Chinese Zodiac sign if you do not know it already; maybe one of you is a Tiger.  If you are not sure what your sign is, look at this website.You will also discover the main characteristics associated with your sign. If you are born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 you are a Tiger.

To celebrate the New Year, Chinese families eat lots of lucky foods in order to get lucky for the coming year: long noodles will bring a long life, dates, peanuts, sticky rice, lettuce (the word for lettuce and money is the same in Chinese language), and tangerines (The word tangerine in Chinese is the same as good luck).

It is customary to give younger generations a red envelope with a money inside.
Learn how to make your own Red Envelope.

Before Chinese New Year, homes will be cleaned thoroughly to sweep away the bad luck. Houses will be decorated with lots of red as it is the symbol of good luck. A traditional dinner with lots of food will be held on New Year’s eve,

On Chinese New Year, people will wear new clothes, will not take a bath or shower as it is believed to wash the luck away, same with the dusting and the cleaning. They are very careful not to break anything, visit relatives and friends.

Famous Tigers
Emily Bronte, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jay Leno, Karl Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter, Queen Elizabeth II, Jon Stewart, Stevie Wonder,Ludwig Van Beethoven,Mel Brooks, Oscar Wilde.

Next year will be the year of the Rabbit!

Reminder: Saturday and Sunday February 27 and 28
San Francisco Chinese New Year Celebrations

Saturday February 27 - 5:15pm-8:00pm - Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush). Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free
$30 for bleacher tickets
Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden dragon, (“Gum Lung.”)

 
Saturday and Sunday February 27 - 28 Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00am-4:00pm
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information:  415 986-1822  415 986-1822

Related Posts:
Make your own red envelope
10 tips to enjoy the Chinese Parade with your kids

Chinese New Year Celebrations in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento

We are going to enter the year of the TIGER and the lunar year 4708. This year, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Sunday February 14th.

Here are some events you do not want to miss.

San Francisco
Saturday February 6, 10:30 am Southwest Airlines Mini-Procession & Ribbon Cutting
Grant Avenue from California to Pacific Avenue.
The procession begins at historic St. Mary’s Square, follows the original parade route down Grant Avenue, and proceeds to the Flower Fair’s main stage on Washington below Grant. The procession will include lion dancers, giant walking puppets, costumed stilt walkers, drummers and dancers. Following the procession, the Mayor will join honored guests in officially opening the Festival with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

San Francisco
February 6 - 7 Chinese New Year Flower Fair
Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Grant Avenue from Clay to Broadway Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton Jackson & Washington Streets from Kearny to Stockton

Oakland
Saturday and Sunday February 6 and 7, Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar 10 am – 5 pm
(9th Street at Franklin)
The event features vendors selling traditional new year decorations, flowers, gifts, candies, and other items of interest. There will also be continuous live cultural entertainment featuring dragon and lion dancing, martial arts, Chinese cultural music, and a "Little Prince & Princess

Sacramento
Saturday February 6, ‘Thriving in the Year of the Tiger’
Click here for time, location, and ticket prices.
Twenty-five groups with 300 performers will participate:  the youngest at 5 years old; the oldest at 89 years old.  The stellar cast will include beginners and international gold medal winners.

San Francisco
Sunday February 7th - Asian Art Museum
Lion dance, hands-on activities, and author reading, from noon to 3:00 pm
More details here.
Free (Target First Free Sunday Program)

San Francisco
Saturday February 27 - 5:15pm-8:00pm - Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush). Call 415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free
$30 for bleacher tickets
Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and a 250 foot long Golden dragon, (“Gum Lung.”)

San Francisco
Saturday and Sunday February 27 - 28 Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00am-4:00pm
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information:  415 986-1822  415 986-1822

Related Posts:
Make your own red envelope
10 tips to enjoy the Chinese Parade with your kids

Things To Do
San Francisco

San Francisco: free days at the Museums on February 2010 and free day at the Sacramento Museums

Museum of Modern Art
Free on Tuesday February 2nd
Closed on Wednesdays

De Young Museum
Free on Tuesday February 2nd
Closed on Mondays
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition Review

Museum of Legion of Honor
Free on Tuesday February 2nd
Closed on Mondays

Asian Art Museum
Free on Sunday February 7th. Year of the Tiger Celebration from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm with Chinese classical dance and music and ending with a Lion dance.
Closed on Mondays

Academy of Sciences
Free on Wednesday February 17th

Exploratorium
Free on Wednesday February 17th
Closed on Mondays

Conservatory of Flowers
Free on Tuesday February 2nd
Closed on Mondays
Review of the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibition

Cartoon Art Museum
Tuesday February 2nd is ‘pay what you wish day’
Closed on Mondays

On Saturday February 6th, 25 Sacramento Museums will be open free of charge. See the list here. I will do a special post closer to the date.

Related Posts: 
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition Review
Review of the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibition
Tips for a drama-free visit to any museum with your children

Things To Do
San Francisco

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition Review

I have seen the King Tut Exhibition in July 2008 while visiting London. I found it to be a marvelous exhibition and I was longing to see it again. Lucky me, it stopped in San Francisco at deYoung Museum and  I visited it again with my oldest daughter Olivia and her 6th grade core class. Olivia did not come with me to London so it was a first for her.

Unfortunately, many pieces are missing from the London exhibition, I felt disappointed and my daughter, even though she liked the exhibition, felt the exhibition was too short. And to be honest, if you have toured the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris and other major museums that have good Egyptian exhibitions, no need to rush to that particular one. If you have been to Egypt, lucky you, you know the answer.

However if your children have never seen any major Egyptian museum or if you need to see anything Egyptian related (like me), this may be for you.  But check out at the end of the blog how you can get less expensive tickets (full price is $27.50 per adult and $16.50 per child).

Mirror Case

 Before you go, make sure that you tell your children

- Who was King Tuthankamun and the story of its life. He became King at the age of 9 and passed away at 19. The exhibition will not teach you anything, it is about appreciation so make sure that your children have some history background before they go. I rented a DVD and we watched it together before going. You can also browse the Tut Exhibition website, it is very resourceful.

- The story of the discovery of its tomb. It is fascinating and that helped Tutankhamun be a mainstream name compared to other Pharaohs. When you are going to enter the gallery showing King Tut’s belongings, you will see a sculpture of the bust of the young Pharaoh. This particular piece is gorgeous.

- The Death Mask and the mummy will not be showcased even though the Mask is on every advertisement or poster about the exhibition. I found that to be very misleading. The Mask will not leave Egypt anymore as the government found it too fragile to travel. Your chance to see it will be to travel to Cairo (Egypt).

You need to know:

- Crowd control: it was long to get in so calling them beforehand to check what the less crowded times are is your best bet.

- The galleries are dark so if you go with young children, make sure that they will not be impressed. But I would not advise to go with toddlers, a place like the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose will be more appropriate. As I said before, you  have to be mature enough to appreciate what’s in front of you to really enjoy that exhibition.

- Make sure that you do not rush, you can not return to previous galleries so let your child enjoy the pieces. What I liked the most was very different from Olivia’s favorite piece. She was fascinated by the little coffins holding the fetuses from what we assume are King Tut’s children.

- Do NOT take the audio tour, I did in London and I was disappointed. It was not informative at all.

- It is a timed entry exhibition, they advise that buy your tickets in advance. In my case, in London, I just showed up and got tickets right away, it was July but the exhibition had been going for a while so the rush was gone. But you can never know, especially towards the end of March. 

How to get less expensive tickets

- FriscoKids has the best tip: through January 29, 2010, buy one adult admission ticket, get one free! Tickets are valid through March 15, 2010. Use promo code: TUTBOGO
- Your deYoung membership will give you access to a reduced price,
- Friday evening reservations are less expensive
- Borders cards holder: if you buy your tickets at www.ticketmaster.com/kingtut and are a Borders Rewards Member, you will save 20% with code TUTBB. IF you are not a member, you can still save 10% with the code TUTBOOKS.
-  Costco sells some tickets in their stores.
- Peet's coffee customers get a 20% discount on adult admission tickets. Offer and tickets valid through March 15, 2010. Use promo code: TUTPEETS (thanks FriscoKids)

Information:
DeYoung  Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco
T: 415.750.3600

Tutankhamun and the golden age of the Pharaohs
Till March 28,2010
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. daily (last ticket at 5 p.m.);
Fridays until 8:45 p.m. (last ticket at 7:30 pm).
Mondays reserved for school group visits, 9 am–2 pm,

Related Posts
Egyptian exhibitions in the San Francisco and the Bay Area

Things To Do
San Francisco

10 places to take the kids on a rainy day in the San Francisco Bay Area

If I’d be visiting San Francisco and the Bay Area under the rain with my children, this is where I would take them:

Do not forget to read my post on not letting the rain sabotage your vacation.

1 Haas-Lilienthal House, San Francisco
This is definitely the kind of outing that we postponed for years. It was never a good timing or it never popped her mind. We finally visited it last year and it was very interesting and a beautiful place to spend a raining day!
The house is only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for limited hours. Guided tours.

   
Girls listening to the guide

2 USS Pampanito, San Francisco
I have never visited the USS Pampanito (or any submarine) but I bet that visiting it on a rainy day should be lots of fun! Not for claustrophobics.

3 Musee Mecanique at the Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
We prefer the old location, it was way smaller and felt more special. This one is way bigger and let’s look at the positive aspect, you have more space to roam around and play old mechanical games. Our family really enjoyed hanging out there so bring lots of quarters and enjoy the fun.

4 Cable Car Museum, San Francisco
An overlooked museum but such an interesting place to visit. And it is free so do not miss it. Keep in mind that parking is not easy.

5 Disney Museum, San Francisco
Now would be the time to do it! But not with children under 8. It is a fascinating museum that our family enjoyed discovering. Read my review here.

6 Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek
Same as the Haas-Lilienthal House, we knew about it but never managed to visit it for the longest time. Once we did, we realized what a treasure this museum is, saving animals and educating the young generation on preservation and the Bay Area wild life.

7 Cantor Museum and Stanford University
You know that I just love this museum, it is free and it is a beautiful place to explore the arts. Take your umbrella and wander in the University admiring the Rodin sculptures.

  

8 Brushstrokes studio, Berkeley
Enjoy making some pottery or mosaic in a warm studio! The owner, Jessica, is really friendly and you will feel right at home (and you have to love the warmth inside the studio!).

9 The  Monterrey Bay Aquarium
You can spend your whole day there and never get tired of everything there is to discover. With all the glass windows, the rain dropping on them makes the place a safe harbor.

 10 The Winchester Mystery House
I have never been but that’s a place that would be on my to do list for a raining day. Check out their website: the music makes the story even more intriguing….The fee is on the high side by the way….

Related posts
Disney Family Museum: discover the man behind the mouse
8 tips to not let the rain sabotage your vacation
Tips for a drama-free visit to any museum with kids

Things To Do
San Francisco

Welcoming 2010

I am back to blogging every week after a short pause.

First, some news regarding Travel is More Fun with Kids

One of the first news I received in 2010 had to do with 2009. In December 09, I was the most read Readers’ Blog on SFGate! That was pretty exciting to receive that kind of email.

I became a Superoo for 2010! I  write for Trekaroo, a fantastic website that lists reviews for children attractions. I love working with them, they are a great complement to all our blogs out there. They have picked Superoos for 2010 and I am one of them. I will get to review places and try new products.

I also became a featured blogger on Raveable. Raveable showcases hotel reviews and I share my blog posts with them.

I also started a new venture: les Bavards. Bavard means Chatterbox in French and I give French conversation class for adults who would like to practice their French before traveling to France. Website to be up soon but if you know anybody who wants to take group classes in a fun environment, redirect them to me!

Finally, I finished the first draft on a book on Paris and the meaning of the names of the metros stations. I have been wanting to do that for a long time, there is not much to do on the Parisian metros while waiting to be transported to your destination and it is gets depressing to look at people’s tired faces in the metro. While sitting there, I always wondered who were the people behind some of the metro names. I am happy I started that book. Now I just need to finish it!

What 2010 will bring us in the Bay Area.

Among many other events that will happen in the San Francisco Bay Area, note:

- The reopening of the happy Hollow Park in San Jose on March 10. We loved that place and we can not wait to see what they have done with it.

- Two fantastic exhibitions opening at the DeYoung Museum: the Musee d’Orsay Museum is lending the DeYoung some of its masterpieces and they will be showcased in two installments: one from May 22 to September 6, 2010 and the other one, just after.

- The end of the  King Tut Exhibition at the de Young Museum, you have three months to do so, it will close on March 28,2010.

And much more! I will keep you posted all along the year.

On a ‘happening right now’ note:

- This is the last week-end  to see the Maurice Sendak exhibition at the SF Jewish Museum.It will close its door on January 19th.

- SF MOMA is free for all this week-end (their 75th anniversary week-end) and they will have many family activities both days.

In Paris:

The Picasso Museum will be closed all year for renovations. Believe me, it is for the best! I just did not like that place. It is hard to top the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, but be that boring…?

Level 5 of the Musee d’Orsay will be closed and the works of arts transferred to San Francisco.

Children will be able to learn about the Playmobils at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and discover Hungry Dinosaurs and A world in Colors at the Palais de la Decouverte till May 2010

And if you are in Paris during the summer, you do not want to miss Paris Plages (like I do every year! but on a personal note, when I was raised by the Mediterranean Sea and we spend July and August there; when we go back to Paris just before heading back to the States, my children are not interested one bit in artificial sandy beaches by the Seine).

As far as traveling

You will need more than ever to double-check your balance allowances directly with the airline companies before traveling. I was reading yesterday that Delta just increased their fees for carry-ons on domestic flights.

A cool opportunity to get ‘free’ tickets for Disney parks in 2010: volunteer one day and get a free ticket. Children as young as 6 can participate. They list all opportunities online by zip code. However, finding a spot when you have younger children is not easy, I have not found any available opportunities yet with two children under 13.

A bientôt!

San Francisco: free days at the Museums in January 2010

Happy New Year! I am wishing you and your family all the best for 2010.

Lydie

Museum of Modern Art
Free on Tuesday January 5th
Closed on Wednesdays

De Young Museum
Free on Tuesday January 5th
Closed on Mondays

Museum of Legion of Honor
Free on Tuesday January 5th
Closed on Mondays

Asian Art Museum
Free on Sunday January 3rd
Closed on Mondays

Academy of Sciences
Free on Wednesday January 20th

Exploratorium
Free on Wednesday January 20th
Closed on Mondays

Conservatory of Flowers
Free on Tuesday January 5th
Closed on Mondays
Review of the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibition

Cartoon Art Museum
Tuesday January 5th is ‘pay what you wish day’
Closed on Mondays

Related Posts: 
Paris: free days at the Museums and more
French National Monuments and Museums now free in France for anybody under 26
Tips for a drama-free visit to any museum with your children
Maurice Sendak exhibition at the SF Jewish Museum. Closing on January 19th, 2010

br>

Things To Do
San Francisco

What to do on Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas or as we say back home: Joyeux Noel!

If you feel like going out on Christmas day, enjoy the outdoors! They are so many options in the Bay Area, the sky is the limit. My favorite would be looking at the waves, our family always has a great time at the beach, warm or cold days, it does not matter for us.

On Christmas day, the San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum will be open from 11:00 am to 4:00pm
It is your chance to discover the Maurice Sendak’s exhibition before it closes in January. Also, on that day, they will be hosting lots of families activities to celebrate Maurice Sendak. So, take advantage of it. Read my review before going.
For other exhibitions, click here

It will be still time to enjoy the Lights, pick a city and go admire their Holidays lights, check the Lights of the Valley website for locations.  
Blogger A Frog Mom in California just wrote about a fantastic Holiday house to visit in Novato and friends also mentioned the House of the Dove in Livermore.

Bay Area on the Cheap has more ideas, check out their article on Christmas Day 2009 – What’s open.

Reminders:

On December 26th, enjoy free entrance for the Kwanzaa Celebration at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Free Museum admission and performances at 11am and 1pm: by the African Roots of Jazz
Do not forget to obtain your free performance ticket at the Front Desk prior to entering the theatre.There are a limited number for each show, and only ticket holders can be allowed into the theater.

Create art projects inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the Museum’s Entry Pavilion. Renowned jazz drummer E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings in African cultures to today. The program features instrumental music, songs, theater, and audience participation.

On January 1st, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University will be open from 11 am to 5 pm on January 1st
They have very interesting exhibits on primitive arts, and wonderful Rodin sculptures, inside and outside in the gardens.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Related posts

Top 10 free activities to enjoy in SF and the Bay Area during the Holidays
Indoor and Outdoor ice skating rinks in the SF Bay Area
Paris in December: 5 fun things to enjoy outdoors
Holiday Events all around the Bay Area (on Trekaroo)
‘Where the Wild Things Are’ exhibition review (till Jan 19, 2010)

Top 10 free activities to enjoy in San Francisco and the Bay Area during the Holidays

Christmas vacations are around the corner! I can not wait to have my children with me and enjoy some time with them. I have put together a list of 10 ways to spend your days during the Holidays, and best of all, these activities do not cost a dime!

1 Visit a factory

Pick a factory to visit: Jelly Belly Factory, Fortune Cookie Factory, and more. Check out my post on the subject.

  
2 Discover the Island by the Bay: spend an afternoon in Alameda

- You can go to Crown Beach, play at the beach or at the park and visit the Crab Cove Visitor Center where you will learn more about the inhabitants of the Bay.

- Go admire Victorian houses on Grand Street

-  Finish your a day on Thompson Avenue.
Any day during the Holiday Season, starting at 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm, you can stroll along what’s called Christmas Lane. Almost all the homes are heavily decorated with beautiful light features, Santas, elves, snowmen etc. This is one of these feel good outings when you realize you do not need much to be happy with your family and this is the true Christmas spirit.

Santa is there, you can take pictures with him but arrive early, 6:30 pm as he will not stay there all evening. You can even drop your letter in the mailbox.

They even have a Facebook Fan page.

3 Spend a day in the State Capital

You can do many free things in Sacramento: visit the State Capital, walk in Old Sacramento and enjoy the colored taffies, the Willikers Toy Emporium (1113 Front Street) and its beautiful train layout in the back of the store, discover the Wells Fargo Museums, one in Old Sacramento, the other one in Capitol Mall , old Sacramento School House Museum, California Foundry Museum, and at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm, attend their Theatre of Lights.

The Sacramento Zoo will be free on December 24th.

 

4 Admire Holidays Lights

To stay in the spirit, you can pick a city and go admire their Holidays lights, check the Lights of the Valley website for locations.  
Blogger A Frog Mom in California just wrote about a fantastic Holiday house to visit in Novato and friends also mentioned the House of the Dove in Livermore.

5 On Dec 25th, enjoy free entrance at the SF Contemporary Jewish Museum ^,

On that day, the Museum will be open from 11:00 am to 4:00pm
It is your chance to discover the Maurice Sendak’s exhibition before it closes in January. Also, on that day, they will be hosting lots of families activities to celebrate Maurice Sendak. So, take advantage of it. Read my review before going.
For other exhibitions, click here

6 On Dec 26th, enjoy free entrance for the Kwanzaa Celebration at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito)
Free Museum admission and performances at 11am and 1pm: by the African Roots of Jazz
Do not forget to obtain your free performance ticket at the Front Desk prior to entering the theatre.There are a limited number for each show, and only ticket holders can be allowed into the theater.

Create art projects inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the Museum’s Entry Pavilion. Renowned jazz drummer E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms, such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings in African cultures to today. The program features instrumental music, songs, theater, and audience participation.

7 Spend a day in San Francisco and visit the city free museums

Cable car museum, San Francisco
1201 Mason Street
We have been to this museum a number of times with family visiting from France. This is always on their top 5! There is something about this little museum!

Wells Fargo Museum. There are so many things to discover in this little museum, a favorite is the original stage coach. Ask for their kid game at the desk.

San Francisco Fire Department Museum
Open Thursday through Sunday 1 to 4 pm

You can also go to  the Golden Gate Park: your choice of spotting the buffalos, looking at the windmill, admiring SF from the DeYoung observation tower, the beautiful gardens.

Enjoy a walk on the Fisherman’s Wharf: Pier 39, the sea lions, Hyde Street Pier.

 

8 Visit the Jack London Historic Park in Glen Ellen
Take a picnic and spent hours in this Historic Park discovering Jack London, the museum with objects that belonged to him (and a letter of rejection from a publisher), the Wolf House, his grave, and the home where he spent his last years.

9 Discover the Silicon Valley

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
Closed on Mondays

Hewlett Packard Garage: the birth of the Silicon Valley

 

One of my favorite museums: Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University will be open from 11 am to 5 pm on January 1st
They have very interesting exhibits on primitive arts, and wonderful Rodin sculptures, inside and outside in the gardens.

You can combine the visit with a stroll in the University. The surroundings are very peaceful. My children usually take their rollerblades and scooters when we visit that area.

 


NASA Museum, Mountain View
Closed on Mondays

Google offices, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View.
My children enjoyed discovering the sculptures and the Google Dog.

Intel Museum,San Jose


10 Free things to do in Santa Cruz

Check out this link for free things to do in Santa Cruz, one day is not enough!
Free self guided walking tours

We could look at the Monarch whole day!

Enjoy the holidays!

Related posts

Indoor and Outdoor ice skating rinks in the SF Bay Area
Paris in December: 5 fun things to enjoy outdoors
San Francisco Holiday season News
Holiday Events all around the Bay Area (on Trekaroo)
Golden Gate Express Garden Railway at the SF Conservatory of Flowers
‘Where the Wild Things Are’ exhibition review (till Jan 19, 2010)

Things To Do
San Francisco

Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks in San Francisco and the Bay Area

Here is a list of indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks in the Bay Area.

Dress in layers, put your hat and gloves and enjoy your skating outing.

If you have younger children, try to go early during the day or after their naps, ‘accidents’ are most likely to happen when children are tired.
 
SAN FRANCISCO

Yerba Buena Ice Skating - Indoor
All year long indoor skating
The skating rink is open for public skating daily. Schedule varies so check it here.

Children (12 and under) 6.25 (9.25 with skate rental)
Adults 8.00 (11 with skate rental)
Family Skate  aka Cheap Skate: Wednesday evening (excluding holidays), they offer free skate rental for our evening session.

Embarcadero Center Ice Rink - Outdoor
Nov. 11, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010 
Go to the  Justin Herman Plaza where the Embarcadero Center ice rink is.  

Open 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday – Thursday
Open 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. on Friday & Saturday
90 minute sessions that start on every even hour

Adults $9.00; Seniors/Children ages 10 and under $5.50
Monday – Friday until 6:00 p.m.

Adults $9.50/Children ages 10 and under $6.00
Friday 6:00 p.m. session until closing on Sunday

Skate Rentals $3.50

 

Photo courtesy of www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square - Outdoor
Nov. 11, 2009-Jan. 18, 2010
Buy your tickets in advance.

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 
(The rink will close at 9:30 p.m. on December 31).
Sessions are 90 minutes and start every other even hour.

Admission is $9 for adults; $4.50 for children eight and under, Monday through Friday until 6:00 p.m.
There is a 50 cent surcharge from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until closing on Sunday.
Skate rental is $4 with a $1 surcharge for hockey skates.

 
Photo courtesy of www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

EAST BAY

Oakland Ice Center - Indoor

Hours vary, check out their schedule.

General Admission:
Youth 12 &Under: $7.00
Adults $8.00
Seniors $7.00

Skate Rental $3.00

Check out their Skating Deals. We like their Sundays Family Skate $27.00 for Family of Four (4).

Fremont Sharks Ice - Indoor

Check out their schedule

General Admission 13 & Over $8.00
Children: (12 & under)  $7.00
Senior $5.00
Skate Rental $4.00
Discount passes available

Walnut Creek on Ice - Outdoor
November 12, 2009 - January 18, 2010
Seasonal outdoor ice rink in Walnut Creek.

Skating Schedule
Monday - Thursday   11 am - 9 pm
Friday - Saturday   11 am - 11 pm
Sundays 11 am - 9 pm

Special Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve  11 am - 6pm
Christmas Day   11 am - 6pm
New Year's Eve   11 am - 8 pm
New Year's Day   11 am - 11 pm

Admission Rates
Monday - Thursday   $11.00
Friday till 5 pm   $11.00
Friday after 5 pm   $15.00
Saturday - Sunday   $15.00

Holiday Rates
December 22 - January 1   $15.00

PENINSULA

Palo Alto Winter Lodge – Outdoor

Check their schedule.
Single Admission: $8.00
Skate rental: $3.00

Belmont Iceland - Indoor
Check the schedule.

Admission Rates
Day Rates: 
Adults $7.00
Children (5-17) $6.00
4 and under $4.00  
(includes skates)

Skate rental $3.00

Evening Rates:
Adults and Children (5+) $7.00
4 and under $4.00  (includes skates)
Skate rental $3.00

Skate on our Friday evening public session,
5:30 - 7:45 PM for only $5, including skate rental.

San Mateo Ice Center - Indoor
Check the schedule.
Admission/Skate Rental Combo:$12.00
Admission Only:$10.00
Skate Rental Only (all skates): $4.00
Seniors: $6.00

Ice Oasis, Redwood City – Indoor
Check the schedule.
Admission Rates
Adults $8.00
Seniors $7.00
Rental skates: $3.00
4 and under: free

Cupertino Ice Center - Indoor
Check the schedule.
Admission/Skate Rental Combo:$12.00
Admission Only:$10.00
Skate Rental Only (all skates): $4.00
Seniors: $6.00

SOUTH BAY

San Jose Downtown Ice-skating Rink – outdoor
Nov. 20,2009-Jan. 18,2010

Twirl and spin inside and among 32 palm trees!
Rates; $15 adults and $13 12-under for skates rental and unlimited time on the ice.
Hours:
Nov. 20-Dec. 17
Sunday: noon - 10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - midnight
Saturday: noon - midnight

Special Hours 
Dec. 6, San Jose Holiday Parade: 11 a.m.-midnight

Dec. 18 - Jan. 3
Daily: 11 a.m. - midnight
Christmas: 2 p.m. - midnight
New Year's Eve: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
New Year's Day : 2 p.m. - midnight

Jan. 4 - 18
Sunday: noon - 10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - midnight
Saturday: noon - midnight

Jan. 18, MLK Holiday: noon-9 p.m. 

NORTH BAY

Santa Rosa Snoopy’s Home Ice – Indoor
Click here for the schedule.

Prices:

Weekend, Summer and Holiday Session Prices:
Adults (18 & over) $9.00
Juniors (12 to 17) $9.00
Child (11 & under) $7.00
Skate Rental $3.00
P&P: Adult - $7.00 Child - $5.50
Midday Cheap Skate session Monday - Thursday 12pm - 2pm
$5 admission includes skate rental

Regular Public Session Prices:
Adults (18 & Over) $7.00
(Juniors 12 to 17) $7.00
Children (11 & under) $5.50
Skate Rental (any age) $2.00

Puppy Practice:
A Session for children 12 & under, and their parents. The session includes a 20 minute group lesson for the children as well as the adults. (Chairs may be used during this session for beginners).
Prices:
Adults $7.00
Children $5.50.
No Skate Rental Charge.

As far as ice-skating rinks located at the Lake Tahoe, read this article from SFGate for the list.

Discover my list of the best ice-skating rinks in the US: you will find the rink at Yosemite Park.

Things To Do
San Francisco