Adventure for a teenager in San Francisco next week

August 4, 2015 2:32 PM

I promised my 16-year-old nephew a visit to Alcatraz, which I didn't realize had to be booked far in advance and therefore appears not to be possible during our week in The City starting this Sunday. So what can I do to make it up? This will be his first trip there.

He wants a boat ride. I can of course take him on ferries but he wants something more exciting. His parents won't allow him to do something like jet ski in the bay. His current interest is the military - he'll hike around the Presidio - but I feel awful fucking up his visit to Alcatraz. What similarly interesting activity could be equivalent?

posted by goofyfoot to Travel & Transportation around San Francisco, CA (31 answers total)

Best answer: It looks like all hope is not necessarily lost, at least according to this. Seems you have the option of trying for first-come first-serve same-day tickets or, or buying tickets as part of another package. I know some bus tours have Alcatraz tickets included. But if I were you, I'd call the Alcatraz Cruises people and ask what they recommend.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:37 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

I've been to SF & Alcatraz several times, and never have I booked in advance. Maybe I've just gotten lucky, but I've always either booked the day before or morning of.
posted by TurquoiseZebra at 2:42 PM on August 4, 2015 [3 favorites]

Consider angel island for hiking and far fewer tourists (and equally impressive views back towards the city) - there are some abandoned buildings on the far side from the ferry drop off - I think they're leftover from when it was an immigration processing center and high school me found exploring them pretty awesome.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:50 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There are a whole mess of abandoned military installations up by Point Bonita and the nearby Marin headlands. Free, not too crowded, ridiculously gorgeous views (or fog), some nice hiking.
posted by theodolite at 2:54 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There are many companies that offer cruises/sailing around the Bay.

Adventure Cat is one I've taken; they offer 1.5 hour daytime and sunset sailing trips. (They also offer an Alcatraz trip but that is sold out until the 28th).
posted by mountmccabe at 2:56 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: The Sweeney Ridge Trail just south of the city has awesome views and an old Nike missile installation you can poke around in.
posted by handful of rain at 3:00 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

Seconding the awesomeness of Angel Island or hiking around the old forts in Marin just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. If he's around on Saturday, he could also take a free sailing lesson over in Berkeley at the Marina (and maybe make friends with experienced sailors that could take him farther, if his parents would allow it...)
posted by three_red_balloons at 3:00 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

I've never booked Alcatraz in advance, just showed up and all was good.
posted by Cosine at 3:05 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

The U.S.S. Hornet lets you climb over and down into an aircraft carrier. We've done it a few times: http://www.uss-hornet.org/

I hear great things about the maritime park: http://www.maritime.org/hours.htm
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 3:07 PM on August 4, 2015

how about a jet BOAT ride? they are usually scenic plus JET. exciting all kids of safe and still a boat ride. just google it lots and lots of options.
posted by chasles at 3:14 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

- Have an icecream or handmade soda at the "Soda Fountain" :-)
- Lunch in the restaurant/bar at the 27th floor of the Marriot Hotel at the Union Square!
- White there visit the Apple store.
- Tour the Kamei Chinese supply & houseware store at 525-547 Clement Street. Plus the rest of th Chinese shops and restaurants of course.
- Spend time on Valencia street and its neighborhoods. Awesome shopping, murals, coffee, food etc.
posted by Mac-Expert at 3:16 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I second the Marin Headlands suggestion. There's a restored Nike missile site (they claim it's the only restored one in fact) there that's open for a few hours a few days a week. I'd call to confirm hours. A few other ideas:

• City Kayak
• Segway tours or rentals. This guy, who I've used before, has a shop near Golden Gate Park that rents Segways. You can explore around the park with them or bomb through the trails at speed (a very fun way to quite possibly hurt yourself). There are also organized Segway tours available if you want a more structured activity.

The city is very busy with tourists right now. Alcatraz may be possible if you work at it, but I would not count on it just working out.
posted by zachlipton at 3:18 PM on August 4, 2015

It's not equivalent to Alcatraz (which is really really cool), but the U.S.S. Pampanito is a WWII submarine that you can tour. My boyfriend & I really enjoyed it.
posted by jabes at 3:24 PM on August 4, 2015

If you head to the Wharf you should be able to hop on a cheap boat tour that'll take you out and around Alcatraz for a closer look, no advance booking required.

Fort Funston might be up his alley for an another hiking destination.
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:26 PM on August 4, 2015

Best answer: Rocketboat! (Link is to discount tickets)
posted by janey47 at 3:33 PM on August 4, 2015

The National Park Service has a lot of properties in and around SF collected into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It might be worth taking a look at their "things to do" list (which includes the Nike missile site along with a bunch of other ideas).
posted by elmay at 3:36 PM on August 4, 2015

ride bikes over the golden gate bridge
posted by j_curiouser at 3:40 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: In addition to the Nike missile site in the Marin headlands, there's Point Bonita Lighthouse, which you access by going through a poorly-lit tunnel and then crossing a pedestrian suspension bridge (check the website for hours!). Above Point Bonita are some old Army targeting stations, but they're in pretty poor condition now.

I second the recommendation for Angel Island. There are a ton of old buildings out there, including some former military buildings, and the barracks from when it was an immigration processing center. You can hike to the top of the island and get some great views (learn to ID poison oak before you go, though!).
posted by suelac at 3:42 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

The SF Dungeon at Fisherman's Wharf is a cool way to learn some SF history, it's like an interactive play kind of where they bring you into different rooms and have a little historical bit in each one. I'm a local and I loved it.
posted by ad4pt at 3:56 PM on August 4, 2015

Best answer: Yes, rent and ride bikes over the bridge! It's woozy/scary in that way that teens seem to love. Plus, crazy views. The GG Bridge is surprisingly tall to most first time visitors. I mean, I live here and went over it recently for the first time in a year and, dang, I still get the dizzies when the wind and traffic moves the bridge. Plus, you can bike over to Sausalito, etc., and gawk at mansions and houseboats.

Also, drive to/hike around Twin Peaks, Bernal Hil, etc. Great views of the city. My teenage niece loves to go to Billy Goat Hill when she visits, because there's a thrill swing up there (and also great views).

On that note, there are lots of neat staircase walks to explore. The one near Billy Goat Hill, the Harry Street Stairs, is pretty cool.

I've also taken kids visiting us on the ferry to Larkspur and back. The suggestions for ferries t Angel Island are good, too, but there are lots of ferries. Maybe go to Alameda (since you get to see lots of heavy machinery)?
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:57 PM on August 4, 2015 [2 favorites]

Or walk across the bridge, inexpensive and fun, but traffic is loud. Foam ear thingies should balance it out. We walked halfway and back, while a fundraiser was going on and it was a hoot seeing all the costumes, wings, wands, tutus a real party. Watching boats pass underneath was very cool. Pack binoculars to peek at Alcatraz. We needed windbreakers in July. Dress in layers. There is a tidal organ on the shore near the yacht club...it's ok. I didn't notice any noteworthy audio while there - I had a gratis copy of Weird California that clued me in.

Window shopping/walking through Chinatown, followed by dinner.

The Exploratorium is great hands on fun for all ages, especially if he enjoys creative problem solving.
posted by childofTethys at 4:02 PM on August 4, 2015

Best answer: For Alcatraz, just search for tickets on the website a couple times a day starting now, and cancellation tickets will pop up. This has worked for me twice to find tickets at the last minute even though tours were officially sold out for the next 1.5 months. In fact, I just snagged 2 spots two weeks ago on a Sunday for that Tuesday. It just means you might have to be flexible about day and time, but since he's here for a whole week and you have 5 days to check for tickets till then, I'm confident you'll find tickets. Just be prepared to hit buy as soon as you see them!
posted by lettersoflead at 5:27 PM on August 4, 2015

USS Jeremiah O'Brien at Fisherman's Wharf is one of two remaining operational Liberty Ships.
posted by rhizome at 5:42 PM on August 4, 2015

I bought tickets on the day of my visit by buying a tour company package that included a boat ride in the bay, Alcatraz (and possibly something else that I didn't use).
posted by AnnaRat at 6:12 PM on August 4, 2015

I'm really surprised Alcatraz is booked up - maybe just try to get a ticket there the day of. If not there, then a ferry to Angel Island and hiking around there for the day ought to be a good alternative.
posted by Toddles at 8:18 PM on August 4, 2015

^ It is generally booked weeks in advance. It's not surprising at all. If you want a specific time slot during a trip, you definitely need to book early. Same thing happened when my family visited and didn't tell us far enough ahead of time they wanted to see Alcatraz -- there were no tickets.
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:26 PM on August 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

Do you have a car?

If so, take him to the Rosie the Riveter NHP in Richmond and walk over to the memorial afterward.
posted by brujita at 9:38 PM on August 4, 2015

There may be a few tickets left on August 21st 9:30 AM but you have to book NOW NOW NOW! ANd it's a combo tour that takes you to both Alcatraz and Angel Islands, together about 5.5 hours.

https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/SearchEventDaySpan.aspx?date=08-19-2015&selected=2517,2521,2524,2527,2532,2536,3031,3032
posted by kschang at 10:27 PM on August 4, 2015

Otherwise, the closest you can get is the "bay cruise", which is about 1 hour boat ride that takes you AROUND the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, and lasts about 1 hour, departs from Fisherman's Wharf. Both Red and White *and* Blue and Gold do this so you have more flexible schedules.
posted by kschang at 10:29 PM on August 4, 2015

Water related activity... "Ride the Duck", those amphib cars that they drive around the city, then take a dip in the ocean (short trip) not too far from shore and back on land to conclude.

http://sanfrancisco.ridetheducks.com/
posted by kschang at 10:32 PM on August 4, 2015

Yes to Angel Island. All kinds of former military stuff there and the hike around the island is cool. And also the Marin Headlands and the battery installations. You can drive or hike to a bunch of them.

Rosie the Riveter and the Craneway Pavilion is a different part of WW2 history in the Bay Area, but it's pretty cool out there -- great views of the Bay.

Is NASA Ames the kind of thing he'd be interested in?
posted by gingerbeer at 5:14 PM on August 5, 2015