by D. Hanousek

So, this week I'm writing from Portland, Oregon. I'm in the middle of a two-week offsite and I've been away from San Francisco for eight days. I was lucky enough to see my husband and kids in Tahoe over the weekend, but as I sit in my hotel room feeling homesick and watching First Week In, I realize that I have another confession to make: I Love San Francisco.

My mind keeps wandering to the places in San Francisco where I love being outdoors with my family (the few places that are family-friendly, that is.) Here are a few of them.

Crissy Field
One of my favorite family activities is heading up to Crissy Field to take a walk, fly a kite, or count the hundreds of fuzzy caterpillars that crawl across the walking trails if you're there on the right day. Normally, I try to stay out of the Marina since I try to pretend as much as possible that I'm not a privileged white person. (I also try to avoid the area in case of an earthquake.) Crissy Field is just so San Francisco with the perfect backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, the kids running around naked on the beach, and family-friendly dogs offering wet-nosed kisses to babies in strollers. I also appreciate the convenience of Sports Basement and its play area. It offers a great way to fit in a little necessary shopping while the kids still think they're on an adventure.

Fort Funston
Fort Funston must be one of San Francisco's best kept secrets because it's always bustling with dog owners and hang gliders, but it never feels crowded, especially with kids. Whether you brave the steep staircase, wind up the paved path, or park in the lot, Fort Funston is a fun adventure and accessible for families. Just make sure you bundle up. The hang gliders are awesome and fascinate the little ones. Whenever we're there, I'm always on the lookout for dolphins, and I've never been disappointed. The beauty of Fort Funston is truly breathtaking. It's a must for San Francisco families.

South Park
There are plenty of fancy playgrounds in San Francisco, but the simple one in South Park is the best. It features an old sand-based playground with weathered wooden apparatus, but it's adequate for the kids and entertaining for parents. Pick up a cup of coffee and a bagel at Cafe Centro (n.b., it's closed on Sundays) and enjoy the surrounding architecture, the colorful vagrants, hungover hipsters, and the martial artists that make this little nook of the city a very special place to be on a Saturday morning. (Bonus: Parts of the musical Rent were filmed here!)

No matter where you live in the city, I feel that it's important to experience all parts of the San Francisco with your family. I can't wait to get back home and experience something new.

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