TravelPangs's Passport
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Send a ComplimentHometown:
SF, California, United States
About Me & My Family
I'm a mother
3 Kids 0-8 years old boys and girls
3 Kids 0-8 years old boys and girls
When we travel, good food and adventure always abound. Our family loves to push the limit of what we can do with children. Our mantra has always been - have kids, will travel. However, this doesn't mean I'm unlike most frantic moms before a trip. Wanting adventure and being a control freak can sometimes be a lethal combination.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, independent, spontaneous
We Just Got Back From
Northern California and Oregon
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Hawaii
A Place We'd Love To Visit
New Zealand, Argetina, Brazil, Eastern Europe, Cambodia
Favorite Vacation Memory
Climbing Machu Picchu with a 4 month old infant in a slight and having all the locals stop us to ask what happened to his feet which were all bundled up. They just couldn't believe it wouldn't be bow legged.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Getting to the airport on our way to Scotland with my 15 month old and discovering that my husband's passport had expired. Instead of rebooking all of our flights, we decided that I would do the first leg of our journey on my own with baby. Unfortunately, we had not packed for me to be flying by myself. I could bearly walk to the runway with all my bags and a 15 month old who would get distracted by everything along the way. He then proceeded to sleep only 1 hour of the entire 11 hour journey (red-eye). It was pretty miserable.
Websites I Like:
Kid-friendly Beachfront Restaurants Near San Francisco
A day at the beach is one our family's favorite things to do. Now, couple that with a meal at a awesome beachfront restaurant that serves food that mom, dad and kids all enjoy, then you've scored big time. Here are some of our favorite beachfront restaurants somewhat near San Francisco that we think meets the mark with great food, casual setting, and is right on or next to the beach so the kids can run off and play while they wait for the food to arrive.
8150 Cabrillo Hwy
Montara, California
Comment:
Wow, the view is absolutely gorgeous at this cliff top restaurant overlooking Montara Beach. They serve some of the best Peruvian cuisine I've ever had and kids will feel right at home in the outdoor dining areas. Man, is the ceviche amazing. The beach below can be accessed via a flight of steps from the restaurant.
reviewed on: April 04 2011
"Amazing Peruvian food with stunning views in a family friendly setting"
It is so rare to find a gourmet dining experience in a very family friendly atmosphere. La Costanera is just that. The seafood is fresh and perfectly cooked! Those jumbo scallops we had were to die for and the wide selection of ceviches were all refreshing and perfectly tangy. There are lots of generously sized small plates to choose from. We loved the Causa Ficha - blue potato with crab and the BBQ Spareribs. It's no wonder that even our kids call this restaurant the yummy place.Downstairs in the bar area, a narrower selection of small plates are served and you can choose to dine either indoors or outdoors. This area is perfect for families because it feels comfortable and informal. The outdoor area has 2 large fire pits you can lounge around on. It may not be as safe until you little ones know how to stay a safe distance from the flames. But, if they do, the outdoor seating has amazing views of the grand Pacific Ocean.
Upstairs in the main dining area, it feels slightly more formal but far from uptight. If the weather isn't too blowy, ask for a seat in the outdoor balcony area. You will feel quite comfortable here even if you kids cannot sit still for the whole meal. Lots of heat lamps to go around. Here you can enjoy their full menu filled with an extensive selection of appetizers and small plates and some delightful meat and seafood entrees.
Dinner prices are definitely on the higher side (about $25 for entrees) but the food and view justify the price. It is a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion for mom and dad. You can be sure the adults will enjoy the delicious food, while kids won't feel cramped by a stuffy atmosphere. There's no kids menu but there are enough options that would satisfy kids. Ours loved the fried chicken (and so did I).
Saving the best part for last. My favorite thing about dining at La Costanera is that the beach is right beneath you. Kids getting antsy waiting for dinner to arrive? No problem. Take them down for a short walk on the beach. After dinner, everyone won't be able to resist feeling the sand on their toes. Plan to arrive early and you will be able to enjoy a stroll against the magnificent setting sun after dinner. Reservations are highly recommended.
1000 Great Highway
San Francisco, California
Comment:
Located right opposite Ocean Beach in San Francisco and at the western edge of Golden Gate Park, the Beach Chalet is a fun place for some beachfront dining with the kids. They serve typical American fare and the food is good, but not amazing. But the setting is fun because you can cross right over to the beach before or after your meal to watch people flying kites or head for a walk into Golden Gate Park instead. Lots of outdoor seating downstairs where kids can play while you dine.
reviewed on: May 29 2010
"Great location, okay food"
What I love about the beach chalet is not the food which is decent but nothing to rave about for san Francisco. The reason that I rate it four stars is because of the location and setting. The dining area has expansive views of the pacific ocean. The ground level dining room opens out to a beautiful lawn where you kids can run free as you enjoy drinks of brunch with friends. Everyone is happy. On the brunch menu, I really enjoy the Monte cristo.. Love the fresh squeeze orange juice too. It is a great way to start a weekend. After brunch take a stroll on the beach or in golden gate park.
281 Capistrano Rd.
Princeton, California
Comment:
Our absolute favorite fish and chips restaurant in the Bay Area. It's located in the small town of Princeton by the Sea off Hwy 1 just before you get to Half Moon Bay. This beach front restaurant is a nice view of the Marina whether you choose to dine indoors or outside on one of the picnic benches. The batter of the fish and chips is light and crispy - almost like tempura. You've got to try the fried jumbo scallops. The small beach in front is very protected as it's part of the marina. Not a beach you'd hang out at for hours, but enough where the kids can splash by the water and dig in the sand for a few minutes.
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"Our favorite Fish and Chips"
Fish and Chips is one of my all time favorite foods. However, I was always disappointed at not being find anything in the bay area that was comparable to the yummy stuff I found in the UK...well, until I discovered Barbara's Fish Trap. The fish is fresh and flaky. But the tempura crust is simply perfect. Light and crispy. The jumbo scallops are even more amazing. Clam chowder not overly creamy and full of clams. The long lines on weekends are a drag and it is the most expensive fish and chips you can buy as take out (they have a sit down restaurant too). But it's totally worth it!
5500 Coast Hwy
Pacifica, California
Comment:
This creperie is located at the southern most end of Linda Mar beach in Pacifica. It doesn't have any view to speak off, but once you're done with your meal, you can walk 2 minutes to one of the most popular surfing beaches in the bay area. On any given day, you'll see lots of surfing dotted along beach. During low tide, there are some fantastic tide pools to explore. The food at high tide is good, but not amazing. The atmosphere is causal and cheerful and the prices are great for the huge portions.
reviewed on: May 08 2010
"Perfect for families"
We just got back from dinner at High Tide and I just have to share about this place with you. There really aren't too many restaurants I would rave about in Pacifica, but this new creperie has become one of my favorite places to take the kids fro breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. The crepes and sandwiches are yummy, but not amazing. But I love how each order comes with a fresh and generous side portion of baby green salad. The portions are generous enough to share and the kids menu offers a variety of hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs, mini burgers, grilled cheese, PBJ - all in very generous portions. If your kids don't eat much, you might even consider having them spilt a kids meal. We've always been happy that the food is freshly cooked and comes out quickly and we've never had trouble getting a table even though the restaurant is pretty full. What's even better is that it's just a hope and a skip from Linda Mar Beach. So, after your meal, you can take a walk on the beach....or do the reverse, head from the beach right on over to rinse those sandy hands and get some hot chocolate and a warm crepe.
Every time we've been to High Tide, we see many families. The restaurant is clean, brightly lit and the atmosphere is cheerful. You never feel like your kids are being too loud. It's the perfect balance of nice but informal.
3199 Powell St
(at Anchor Dr) Emeryville, California
Comment:
This is one of the top Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area and they are particularly famous for their Dim Sum. Set right on the shores of the San Francisco Bay, the dining area has stunning view of the bay. Right outside, you can walk along a paved trail and enjoy the sound of lapping water and beautiful scenery. No sandy beach here though.
reviewed on: January 19 2012
"Great views and good food"
The food at this Chinese restaurant is good, even great, but not amazing. What you come here for is the astounding view of the San Francisco Bay. There are so few Chinese restaurants that have such a nice setting. The restaurant is also spacious and if the kids are antsy, a short walk outside will get out their wiggles.Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant serves dim sum during lunch and traditional Cantonese fair at dinner. The menu is huge. As far as the dim sum goes, I don't think it's quite as good as Koi Palace and Dim Sum King, but it comes pretty close. Bathrooms are clean, service is decent.
