10 Things to Look Forward to When Moving from Leawood, KS to San Francisco, CA
For a 10-Year-Old Girl
Riding the Cable Cars: There's nothing quite like clanging up and down the steep hills on San Francisco's historic cable cars. This thrilling ride is a moving adventure through the city's streets and a uniquely San Francisco experience (plus, there's a free Cable Car Museum to explore) (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). It is something fun she can brag about to friends back in Kansas.
Hands-On Science at the Exploratorium: The Exploratorium is an interactive science museum with more than 650 hands-on exhibits where kids are encouraged to touch and play (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). She can experiment with electricity, explore dazzling optical illusions, and tinker with gadgets - learning about science and the world in a super fun way that goes beyond any classroom.
California Academy of Sciences: This incredible museum in Golden Gate Park combines an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and even a four-story tropical rainforest all under one living roof (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). She can see penguins and exotic fish, watch planetarium shows about space, and meet Claude the albino alligator - unforgettable experiences she would never find in Leawood.
Adventures in Golden Gate Park: San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is a huge 1017-acre playground, even larger than New York's Central Park (San Francisco Travel Guide - Vacation & Tourism). It has the Koret Children's Quarter with a historic carousel and playground, flower gardens, peaceful lakes, and even a herd of bison roaming in one area (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). There is endless room for bike rides, picnics, and outdoor fun for the whole family.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens: The SF Zoo is a 100-acre park home to nearly 250 species of animals, from big cats and gorillas to penguins and kangaroos (Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Francisco | Kids Out and About San Francisco). It even features a mini steam train and an old-fashioned carousel that kids love, making every visit feel like an adventure. She can learn about wildlife up close, far beyond what she would see at a smaller hometown zoo.
Pier 39 and Aquarium of the Bay: Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf is a waterfront wonderland where a 10-year-old can watch sea lions basking in the sun and enjoy street performers doing magic and comedy (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). There is also the Aquarium of the Bay, where she can walk through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks and fish, touch starfish in tide pools, and enjoy arcade games and sweet treats - a full day of seaside fun that Leawood cannot match.
Children's Creativity Museum: This hands-on arts and technology museum lets kids create to their heart's content. She can make her own stop-motion animation movie, produce a music track, or design art in the Animation Studio and Music Studio - all geared toward igniting creativity (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). It is a place where imaginative play and learning come together, offering creative opportunities she would be excited to dive into.
The Walt Disney Family Museum: If she loves Disney, this museum in the Presidio will be a treat. It showcases the life and legacy of Walt Disney, including tons of Disney memorabilia and a detailed miniature model of Disneyland (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). She can see how Mickey Mouse was drawn, watch classic Disney film clips, and participate in kid-friendly activities, making it a magical, inspiring outing - and a unique slice of Disney history not available in Kansas.
Exploring Chinatown & Cultural Festivals: San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest and one of the most vibrant in North America (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - PODS Blog), filled with colorful shops, lantern-lined streets, and tasty dim sum eateries. She can experience the excitement of cultural events like the annual Chinese New Year Parade with its dancing dragons, and even visit the fortune cookie factory to see how fortunes get inside the cookies (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel) - experiences that will broaden her world view in a fun way.
Presidio Tunnel Tops & Outdoor Play: The Presidio national park now features "Tunnel Tops," a brand-new outdoor play space built on top of former highway tunnels (San Francisco with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Activities | San Francisco Travel). It is a huge two-acre playground with imaginative play structures where kids can climb and explore nature. With sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay all around, family outings here are both active and scenic - something truly special to look forward to on weekends.
For 50-Year-Old Parents
Mild Climate & Year-Round Outdoor Lifestyle: Say goodbye to the extreme summers and winters of Kansas. San Francisco's famously mild climate means you can enjoy the outdoors virtually all year (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - PODS Blog). With comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunny days (mixed with a bit of fog for character), the weather invites you to take regular walks, dine outside, or bike through the park whenever you please.
Stunning Scenery & Iconic Landmarks: Every day in San Francisco comes with postcard-worthy views. From watching the sunrise over the bay to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge emerge from the fog, the scenery is breathtaking. You will find rolling hills and coastal vistas in every direction (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - Royal Moving & Storage Inc) - whether it is a stroll at Lands End, a drive across the Golden Gate, or a picnic with views of Alcatraz - iconic sights will be part of your daily life.
Vibrant Food Scene: The city is a food lover's paradise, offering an incredible array of dining options. You can savor fresh Dungeness crab and sourdough chowder bowls at Fisherman's Wharf one day, and sample authentic dumplings in Chinatown or taco trucks in the Mission the next. San Francisco has around 60 Michelin-starred restaurants (with seven holding the top three-star rating) (San Francisco Travel Guide - Vacation & Tourism), so whether it is gourmet dining, farm-to-table eateries, or diverse international cuisine, you will never run out of new flavors to try.
Rich Cultural Diversity & Festivals: San Francisco's diverse population means there are vibrant cultural neighborhoods and events to enjoy year-round. You can explore Chinatown's markets, Japantown's festivals, the Italian flair of North Beach, and the Latino art and food of the Mission District. The city hosts famous events like the Chinese New Year Parade and one of the largest Pride parades in the nation, reflecting a community that celebrates many cultures and traditions (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - PODS Blog).
World-Class Arts & Museums: The arts scene in San Francisco is second to none. You will have access to renowned museums such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (one of the largest modern art museums in the US), the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, and the Asian Art Museum, among others. From contemporary art exhibitions to historical artifacts, there is always a new museum exhibit or gallery opening to enrich your weekends, far beyond what is available in suburban Kansas.
Thriving Performing Arts & Music Scene: As a cultural hub, San Francisco is home to a world-class opera, symphony, and ballet, all performing at the historic Civic Center venues (SF Performing Arts - Opera, Symphony, Ballet - The Hibernia). You can look forward to evenings at the SF Opera or Symphony, Broadway touring shows at the Orpheum Theatre, and live music at legendary venues like The Fillmore. Whether you are passionate about classical music, jazz, or rock concerts, the city offers endless entertainment for date nights or family outings.
Career Opportunities & Networking: The Bay Area's booming economy offers unparalleled professional opportunities. San Francisco is a global hub for technology, finance, biotech, and entrepreneurship, meaning plenty of job options and the chance to network with innovators in your field (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - PODS Blog). At 50, you might find fresh career growth or consulting opportunities, attend industry conferences nearby, or even consider launching a late-career business venture in this dynamic environment.
Outdoor Recreation at Your Doorstep: If you enjoy an active lifestyle, San Francisco delivers. Numerous parks and trails invite you to hike, jog, or bike with stunning backdrops - for example, the Marin Headlands and trails like Lands End offer invigorating hikes with ocean views (Pros and Cons of Living in San Francisco - Royal Moving & Storage Inc). You can join cycling groups, try kayaking on the bay, golf on public courses with scenic vistas, or simply do morning yoga in Golden Gate Park. The ability to stay healthy and active outdoors is built right into the city's culture.
Weekend Getaways in Every Direction: One huge perk of living in San Francisco is the easy access to amazing weekend destinations. In just a short drive, you could be wine tasting in Napa Valley, hiking among giant redwoods in Muir Woods, lounging on the beaches of Marin or Half Moon Bay, or even driving down the coast to the scenic Monterey Bay. Even Lake Tahoe's ski resorts and Yosemite National Park are within a few hours' reach. Your new location opens the door to countless mini-vacations and outdoor adventures that simply were not feasible from Kansas.
Engaging Community & Social Life: San Francisco offers a lively, open-minded community and countless ways to get involved and meet people. You can participate in neighborhood street fairs, join local clubs or hobby groups (from photography to cycling), and attend lectures or adult education classes at nearby universities. There is also an abundance of volunteer opportunities - the city has options ranging from animal shelters to helping out at libraries and schools (San Francisco-Based Volunteer Opportunities for Older Adults to ...) - allowing you to give back and connect with others. All these social and community activities mean a fulfilling life beyond work, with new friends and experiences for you to look forward to as you settle in.