Are you renting an RV in San Francisco and using your rental as your primary mode of transportation? Before you hitch up the trailer for a day of sightseeing, be mindful of the city’s narrow streets and parking limitations. For an authentic San Francisco experience, rent a bike or take a trolley to avoid any frustrating parking challenges.
Families looking for activities to entertain both kids and adults should add some cultural and historical experiences to their itinerary. Visit the historic ships docked at Hyde Street Pier or tour the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and the SS Pampanito Submarine on Pier 45 and then learn about the city’s nautical history at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Before hopping a cable car to visit Chinatown or the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, don’t forget to stop by the Exploratorium. This public learning laboratory has hands-on experiences that are both fun and educational.
The Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the city’s most prominent tourist attractions. Everyone in the family will like the Pier 39 carousel and the sea lion colony, as well as the Aquarium By the Bay. The food and sweet scenes are also second-to-none, so it would be a shame to miss lunch while you are out and about. When your bellies are full, walk off your lunch before hopping on a cruise to tour Alcatraz Island and the historic abandoned prison that held infamous criminals like Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly.
Do you plan to use San Francisco as a starting-off point to head to areas outside of the city? Napa and Sonoma, favorite stops in California’s beautiful wine country, are approximately an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco. The area has several RV parks and campgrounds, and some are even within walking distance of vineyards. To avoid driving, book a guided winery tour to immerse yourself in the full wine-tasting experience.
For some people, a camping trip isn't complete without visiting a national park. You are in luck! Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Yosemite National Park are all within a day's drive from San Francisco. The parks have some of the best hiking trails and outdoor recreation in the state, and all three parks are home to the world's biggest tree, the giant sequoias.