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California

Bridges, Redwoods & Alcatraz: San Francisco With Your Grandchild

Program No. 21059RJ
A jailhouse that has stories to tell, bridges that stretch across the sparkling sea and the tallest trees on Earth — discover these and more in the Bay Area with your grandchild.
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  • San Francisco with Grandchild
  • San Francisco with Grandchild
  • San Francisco with Grandchild
  • San Francisco with Grandchild
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GrandparentRegional StudiesCity DiscoveriesAges 10 – 14
Length
6 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,999 / ADULT
1,249 / CHILD

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6 days
5 nights
11 meals
5B 3L 3D
1
Registration, Orientation, Golden Gate Bridge Presentation
San Francisco, California
2
Golden Gate Bridge, Point Bonita Lighthouse, Muir Woods
San Francisco, California
3
Chinatown, Exploratorium, All About Alcatraz
San Francisco, California
4
Jeremiah O'Brien, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island
San Francisco, California
5
CA Academy of Sciences, Free time, Wrap up
San Francisco, California
6
Program Concludes
San Francisco, California
View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Climb aboard a classic cable car with your grandchild to explore the City by the Bay and the nature that surrounds it. Ride a ferry to Alcatraz Island to explore the famous jailhouse, and take in the sights, smells and sounds of the largest Chinatown in America. Walk across one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and tinker with some science experiments at the Exploratorium. Plus get outside the city to play amongst the foot of giant redwoods in Muir Woods and hike to a seaside lighthouse. Introduce your grandchild to this world-class city as you explore our favorite spots around San Francisco, making new friends along the way!
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to three miles at a time over varied terrain, including stairs. Extensive use of public transportation.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Experience natural and cultural wonders including redwoods at Muir Woods and the complex history of Alcatraz Island.
  • Go behind the scenes at the Academy of Sciences, where you’ll be transported into a rainforest, an earthquake and a starry night sky!
  • Learn what life was like for people aboard the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a World War II ship that is now a living museum near Fisherman's Wharf.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
James Dalessandro
James is a writer and filmmaker best known for his novel "1906," a retelling of that year's earthquake in San Francisco. He has more than 20 feature film and television scripts to his credit. He wrote and directed "The Damnedest Finest Ruins," a documentary on the earthquake. In his adopted hometown of San Francisco, James lectures on the Transcontinental Railroad, Old Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the history of its artists: Mark Twain, Jack London, Isadora Duncan and the Beat Generation.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of James Dalessandro
James Dalessandro View biography
James is a writer and filmmaker best known for his novel "1906," a retelling of that year's earthquake in San Francisco. He has more than 20 feature film and television scripts to his credit. He wrote and directed "The Damnedest Finest Ruins," a documentary on the earthquake. In his adopted hometown of San Francisco, James lectures on the Transcontinental Railroad, Old Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the history of its artists: Mark Twain, Jack London, Isadora Duncan and the Beat Generation.
Profile Image of John Martini
John Martini View biography
John Martini is a native San Franciscan and a life-long researcher into the history of California and the American West. He worked as a national park ranger for more than 25 years at parks around the country including Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, the National Maritime Museum, the USS Arizona Memorial, the Presidio of San Francisco, and Teddy Roosevelt's estate at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. For many years, John was stationed at the Marin Headlands District of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area as a supervisory park ranger for interpretation and education. He completed his long career with the National Park Service at the Presidio of San Francisco where he served as curator of military history. He now works as an independent historian and consultant specializing in historical research, interpretation and preserving of cultural resources.
Profile Image of Kenn Sparks
Kenn Sparks View biography
Kenn Sparks is an award-winning journalist, foreign correspondent, and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker. His life has taken him from the once-closed cities of Siberia to debating business economics with Barack Obama. Kenn’s Road Scholar groups explore the mysteries of old Chinatown, hear tales of treacherous sea voyages to Gold Rush California while aboard a famous 19th-century Square Rigger, experience the mostly unknown legacy of the wives of the Big 4 Robber Barons, and wonder at centuries of Medieval and Renaissance art and relics at Grace Cathedral.
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