Afternoon: Reception, orientation, introductions and get acquainted session at hotel.

Dinner: Dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: American breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Morning: Separate introductory lectures for children and adults on the Gold Rush period.

Lunch: Group lunch in Chinatown.

Afternoon: Walking exploration of Barbary Coast and Chinatown.

Dinner: Group dinner enjoyed at a local restaurant.

Evening: Children's activities and adult lectures will cover California's journey to statehood and the growth of San Francisco's population.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: American breakfast at hotel restaurant

Morning: This morning we take the bus to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park – the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. It’s a stunning architectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals. Admission to the California Academy of Sciences includes access to all museum and aquarium exhibits, including the rainforest, planetarium, and living roof. Admission to this popular Bay Area attraction includes a wide range of daily programs and activities, including dive shows, penguin feedings, swamp talks and more.

Lunch: A lunch voucher will be provided to use in the Academy restaurant or cafe.

Afternoon: Continue your visit to the Academy or take an optional excursion with the group leader; a visit to the de Young Tower, with panoramic views of the city. The de Young is a 5 minute walk from the Acedmy. This afternoon we fly kites in Golden Gate Park, kites provided.

Dinner: Dinner independent, suggestions will be provided

Evening: Evening free to pursue personal interests. An opportunity to take in a play or baseball game.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast: American breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Excursion to the Maritime Museum's historic vessels at the Hyde Street Pier. Here it is possible to board a square-rigged tall ship and several other vessels on display. A National Park Service Ranger will guide us through the ships, giving an in depth look at life aboard these old ships

Lunch: Select from one of many venues available in the Fisherman's Wharf area.

Afternoon: At your leisure, explore Fisherman's wharf. Visit the Aquarium (tickets provided) and perhaps the Musee Mechanique, a collection of 19th century mechanical toys, the USS Pampanito, and many other attractions. The group leader will make sure you know of all the options in the area.

Dinner: Dinner free to explore personal choice with many suggestions provided both in waterfront and surrounding area.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: A public bus is taken to board the ferry at Pier 33 for the 20 minute ride to Alcatraz Much of Alcatraz is steep and hilly; the walking distance from the dock to the cell house at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile and the elevation change is 130 feet. A tram is available for people who do not wish to climb the hill.

Breakfast: American breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Presentation on Alcatraz with stories of the notorious inmates and daring escape attempts.

Lunch: Choose from a variety of vendors at Pier 39. After lunch, be sure to check out the California Sea Lions on the docks at Pier 39.

Afternoon: The history of Alcatraz--The Rock-- includes a Civil War fortress, federal prison, bird sanctuary, first lighthouse on the West Coast, and the birthplace of the American Indian Red Power movement. Visiting Alcatraz is a self guided experience which you can do at your own pace. Park Service staff offer free programs throughout the day on a variety of topics: escapes, military history, American Indian occupation, natural history, etc. Once on the island you can stay as long or as short as you wish - there is a ferry departing about every half hour and you can return to San Francisco on any ferry. The group leader will let you know which ferry she will be taking back. There are numerous videos and exhibits on the island, as well as a complimentary cell house audio tour which covers the penitentiary era (1934 - 1963). On arriving at the Alcatraz dock, you will be greeted by a park ranger who will give you a brief orientation including information on any special activities available that day. The weather on Alcatraz can be some what unpredictable and can change quickly - it may be warm and sunny in the city and very windy and cool on the island. Summer days can sometimes be as cool as winter due to thick fog and strong winds. We recommend dressing in layers. There is no food service available on the island - only water is available on site. Eating, drinking and smoking are only allowed at the dock level. (Alcatraz Island information courtesy of the National Park Service)

Dinner: The farewell dinner will be on Fisherman's Wharf with panoramic views of the Bay and Golden Gate

Lodging: Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: American breakfast at the hotel restaurant

Morning: Morning wrap up sessions for both adults and children.

Meals Included: Breakfast