The Castro boasts a rich and colorful history, sweet treats on every corner, an old-school movie house and plenty of toys (yes, even the kind the kids can play with)

You’ve probably seen the rainbow flag swaying above the rooftops in San Francisco, but there’s only one place in the city where your little ROYGBIVs can see dozens of these colorful banners decorating every shop, cross walk, and signpost.  The Castro boasts a rich and colorful history, sweet treats on every corner, an old-school movie house and plenty of toys (yes, even the kind the kids can play with). We’ve mapped out the perfect day out with the little ones in tow.

Where to Play in the Castro

Eureka Valley Playground: Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, kids can follow the yellow path or just run freestyle around this cushioned playground.The rec center onsite hosts a ton of classes, and there’s also a baseball diamond, tennis court, and a dog run!

100 Collingwood St.
San Francisco
Online: sfrecpark.org

Seward Street Slides:Tap into you inner child at the Seward Street Slides. From 18th street walk west for four blocks to Douglass, then take a left onto Douglass and follow it until you find the Seward Mini Park. Two long, steep concrete slides are the main attraction, though they are not for tiny tots. Bring a piece of cardboard and wear sturdy pants. Closes at sunset.

70 Corwin St.
San Francisco
Online: sfrecpark.org

castro_gertrude_stein
Photo: Amber Guetebier

Explore the Castro with Kids

Walk it Out: Take a self-guided walking history tour around the Castro. From Market to 19th, the sidewalks feature plaques and information about some of SF’s most famous advocates for equality.

If you want to try a true butt buster and toddler-tiring walk, head straight up Castro to 21st Street. This hill, one of the steepest in SF, gives you an amazing view of downtown and the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some Junior Mints at the movies afterwards.

The Randall Museum: The beloved museum is technically in Corona Heights, but considering it’s a scenic 15 minute walk from the heart of the Castro, we would be remiss not to mention it. Stop by on Saturday mornings at 11:30 a.m. for the weekly “Meet the Animals” presentation.

199 Museum Way
San Francisco
Online: randallmuseum.org

The Castro Theatre: The jewel of the neighborhood, this theater shows kids’ movies, singalongs, and classics. It also features a rising Wurlitzer Organ, which is played before each movie, offering at atmosphere worthy of the 1920s, when the theatre was originally built.

429 Castro St.
San Francisco
Online: castrotheatre.com

Close Up Toys Bins
Photo: Amber Guetebier

Cliff’s Variety: This unconventional neighborhood hardware store’s spoils include toys, quirky housewares, and year-round costume supplies like feather boas and glittery ribbons.

479 Castro St.
San Francisco
Online: cliffsvariety.com

Good to know: If you’ve never been, keep in mind that this neighborhood does have sex shops and occasional nudity so if your kids are as curious as ours, be prepared for inquiring minds to ask lots (and lots!) of questions.

Galati_Pirate Fun-Sausage Factory
Photo: Amber Guetebier

Where to Eat in the Castro with Kids

Hecho: Incredible Mexican dishes await—kids and adults will go gaga over the short rib quesadillas. Drop by for dinner or Sunday brunch, and don’t leave without trying one of their killer cocktails.

2200 Market St.
San Francisco
Online: hechoinsf.com

The Sausage Factory: For comfort food like an Italian grandma used to make. Kids will dig the big pizzas and classic pasta dishes. Worried your kids won’t stay contained in the tight front dining quarters? Ask to sit in the back. If there are no big parties or special reservations you’ll get more space to yourself and be right by the restrooms. Open for dinner only.

517 Castro St.
San Francisco
Online: castrosausagefactory.com 

Ike’s Place: This famous sandwich shop might have a line, but one bite and you’ll see why. There’s nearly 100 sandwiches on the menu (Peg Bundy, Super Mario and the Pizzle among the choices) , so it may be best to study the list online before arriving.

3489 16th St.
San Francisco
Online: ilikeikesplace.com

Orphan Andy’s: A hopping little old-school diner that’s open 24 hours. The menu is packed with every diner dish imaginable, and they all go great with a malt.

3991 17th St.
San Francisco

Rossi’s Delicatessen: Sammies with a great variety: salami, cheese, and even falafel. Pick up a few and take a stroll up to the Randall Museum for a picnic with the best view in town.

426 Castro St.
San Francisco

chili_pies_sf_
Photo: Chile Pies

Where to Get Dessert in the Castro

Sweet Inspiration:Tarts, cakes, pies, cheesecakes and ice cream. Need we say more? Well, they are all made there and you can go in and sample the wares, then order a cake (or cheesecake) to go!

2239 Market St.
San Francisco
Online: sweetinspirationbakery.com 

Hot Cookie: Pick up a cookie (or ten) for your little cookie monsters. Located right next to the Castro Theater this tiny bakeshop, the treats are sweet but can come in some spicy shapes (beware that there are some shaped like dad’s naughty bits).

407 Castro St.
San Francisco

Chile Pies: Pies, cakes, and ice cream from the Green Chile Kitchen peeps! They serve savory pies as well as sweet and the ice cream comes from Three Twins so ask for it ala’ mode!

314 Church St.
San Francisco
Online: chilepies.com

Getting to the Castro: Like many neighborhoods in San Francisco, parking can be tough.You can take a historic F Market Street Car (runs from the Ferry Plaza up Market Street to Castro) or any of the underground Muni streetcars: K, L, M, or T to Castro Street Station. Look for the giant rainbow flag to know you’ve made it! To and from Noe Valley you can take the 24 Divisadero, and the 33 Stanyan runs right down 18th Street from the Inner Richmond all the way to Potrero Hill. Cabs line up outside the Sausage Factory so one is always available.

 

 

Photo: Canva

Being a girl today is a lot different than it was when I was making my awkward way through middle and high school. Teens are cutting themselves, or worse, at an alarming rate. Our children are getting bullied day in and day out and school systems provide parents with a lackluster, “We don’t tolerate that behavior,” but nothing is being done to put a stop to it. In the age of the #metoo movement, as strong mothers, we must raise strong daughters. 

And while it seems the slogan “Smash the Patriarchy” is everywhere, instead, I’ve created a list of ways that we, as women, can “Restore the Matriarchy.”  Let’s redefine what it means to be a “lady,” etiquette be damned.

1. You don’t need a man, or a woman, to complete you. When I was in high school, my ultimate goal in life was to get married in my early 20’s and start a family as soon as possible. While I don’t regret my family for a second, I do regret not spending more time planning for the future. Now that our family is complete and our youngest has started school, I find myself struggling to find my way in this new chapter of my life. Spend your time after graduation learning about yourself, building a tribe of girlfriends, and becoming comfortable in your own shoes. The last thing a partnership needs is for one or both members to discover themselves five years in and realize they made a big mistake.  

2. Experiment with your st‌yle. Cut your hair, dye it, buy combat boots, wear purple eyeliner, or don’t. Wear that Hogwarts t-shirt until the hem is frayed and it’s so faded you can barely make out the graphic. If people tell you they have a problem with your clothes or the way you do your hair, then these people don’t matter! Your job is not to impress, but to succeed, whatever that means to you. As long as you are happy, how you look doesn’t matter.

3. Not everyone is out to get you. When my daughter received her class schedule for school this year, she immediately started complaining about two of her teachers simply because she heard a rumor that they were awful. Fast forward to the end of her first day, turns out, those teachers aren’t so bad after all. She wasted so much energy focusing on the negative, energy that could have been focused on goal setting for the new year or reading a  book. Some people are jerks and they will try their best to knock you down. Your job is to not let them. There are good people in this world, people who will compliment you and bring out your best. Find those people and cling to them. 

4. Turn up your favorite music and dance and sing to it at least once a day. It doesn’t matter if you are as tone-deaf as boiled cabbage, blast Bohemian Rhapsody and belt it like you’re Freddie Mercury incarnate. Guaranteed to make you forget whatever nonsense you’re dealing with that day, it’s my favorite way to unwind and move on. 

5. Enjoy the steak or that piece of cheesecake. Far too many women punish themselves with ridiculous workouts and long sessions of cardio because they had a bite of chocolate cake or ordered their coffee with half and half. My mother was constantly trying fad diets and shaming me for what I ate. The result? Binge eating Oreos and pizza, yo-yo dieting, and misery well into my 30’s. Be healthy, however that looks for you, but enjoy your body and what you put in it. 

6. Take a self-defense course or learn how to use a firearm. I know we need to hold men more accountable and I will teach my girls that it’s never okay for a person to touch them without permission, that no means no, etc., I will also teach them how to protect themselves. My older daughter is a black belt in taekwondo and every semester, they teach different self-defense techniques. She knows how to use a firearm safely and will be armed with pepper spray prior to entering high school. I’d like to think that she’s also being raised by a strong mother with a take-no-bull mentality, and hope that she’s picking up just a little of what I’m throwing down. 

7. Take charge of your sexual health and enjoyment. My parents were very prudish about sex and what happens to the body during puberty. Thank God for sex education class and good girlfriends, or I would have been like the main character in Carrie when I got my first period. We are very open about sex and nudity in our house. We’ve always been very honest with our children when they have questions about sex and do our best to make them feel comfortable when there’s something they’d like to know. My girls will also know that a woman’s pleasure is important, too, and not just some magical unicorn that’s impossible to achieve. I spent the beginning of my sexual life believing that sex was something that just happened to women and orgasms were few and far between. It took me a long time to realize that my satisfaction should be expected every time sex is in the forecast. Our needs are important, too. Sexual pleasure and masturbation are an important part of any woman’s life, whether she’s with a partner or not. Know what’s going on with your body, track your menstrual cycles, and steer clear of any partner who thinks their sexuality is more important than yours. 

Raising girls is hard and the hardest thing I’ve ever done, by far. But I’m doing my best to instill these strong values in my girls so they will feel empowered for the rest of their lives and know their strength and happiness comes from within them. 

 

This post originally appeared on The Pirate Mom.

I'm a mother, wife, birth professional, lover of the outdoors, and a pirate! I love supporting mothers and making them feel they're not alone in this crazy journey. I created The Pirate Mom blog to show the unconventional side of motherhood and all that entails.

“This Is Us” is NBC’s newest show coming this Fall. The drama, starring Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, and Sterling K. Brown, shows the emotional realities many of us face. Check out the trailer below (Warning: Mild Nudity (i.e. Milo’s butt cheeks).

What do you think? Will you watch?

The fall art season is in full swing and NYC museums once again prove that cultural edification can be family-friendly and fun. Check out these six must-see exhibits on view now, which offer everything from Matisse masterworks and “Mad Men” art to cooing live pigeons and cartoon craziness.

photo: Alice Perry

“Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” at MoMA

The Art: It’s the hottest ticket in town, and the lines prove it. The Museum of Modern Art’s “Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs” is the most extensive presentation of Matisse’s cut-outs ever mounted. In these works, the artist used scissors to cut colored paper and then arranged them into compositions. Featuring over 100 cut-outs, the exhibit highlights Matisse’s child-like exuberance for art, color, and life. Although you’ve probably seen much of Matisse’s work on coffee mugs and T-shirts, seeing the originals with your own eyes will  help you realize that yes, this artist was a master.

Fun for Kids: Kids can easily relate to Matisse’s deceptively simple artwork. Many have already unknowingly created artwork inspired by Matisse, such as collages and paper dolls. MoMA is hosting two exhibit-related workshops designed for kid artists: Drawing with Scissors for kids ages five to seven, and Cut It Out! for the younger set.

Insider Tip: Timed tickets are required for this hugely popular exhibit. MoMA members, however, may enter at any time by showing a valid membership card.

Museum of Modern Art
11 W. 53rd St.
Midtown 
212-708-9400
Through Feb. 8, 2015
Daily, 10:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.; Fri. 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
$25/adults; free for children under 16 and Fri., 4-8 p.m.
Online: moma.org
 
 

photo: Michael Scoggins. Explosion Drawing #5, 2014. Marker, prism color on paper. Courtesy of the Artists and Freight + Volume Gallery

“Drawn to Language” at Children’s Museum of the Arts

The Art: Considering that most kids (and parents too!) today are more adept at handling the keyboard than the pen, the Children’s Museum of the Arts exhibit “Drawn to Language” is a much-needed reminder that handwriting is an art. In this show, words and letters on canvases are given personality through shape, color and texture. Top artists like Jack Pierson, Ed Ruscha and Jenny Holzer have work on display in the exhibit.

Fun for Kids: Young museum visitors will especially dig fun artwork like Samuel Jablon’s mirror-adorned collage “Get Dirty” and Michael Scoggins’ “Explosive Drawing”, a supersized notepaper filled with doodles. During the exhibit’s run, CMA is offering a ton of art-meets-word workshops like “Wooden Block Letter Reproduction” and “Anthropomorphic Alphabets.”

Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St.
West Village
212-274-0986
Through Jan. 11, 2015
Mon. & Wed., noon-5 p.m.; closed Tues.; Thurs. & Fri., noon-6 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$11/person; pay what you wish on Thurs., 4-6 p.m.
Onlinecmany.com

 


 photo: “We Won’t Be Any Trouble” by Mac Conner, MCNY

“Mac Conner: A New York Life” at Museum of the City of New York

The Art: One of New York’s original “Mad Men,” Mac Conner was a brilliant illustrator whose advertising images stood out from the pack during New York City’s golden age of publishing after WWII. His heart, soul and humor are evident in the more than 70 original artworks on display in Mac Conner: A New York Life at the Museum of the City of New York.

Fun for Kids: In many of Conner’s illustrations, children are the stars of the show, in work ranging from cold medicine advertisements to images accompanying magazine stories. Be sure to check out one of the family workshops like “Covering Conner,” where you create your own book cover, or “Mad for Mac” during which kids can design their own ad for the museum.

Insider Tip: What’s really fun about this show is seeing the original artwork as drawn by Conner — not just copies of ads from Life magazine. You can actually see and appreciate the ink blotting and different gradations of color.

Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Ave.,
Upper East Side
212-534-1672
Through Jan. 19, 2015
Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Suggested admission: $10/adults; free for children under 12

Online: mcny.org

photo: Alice Perry

“Crossing Brooklyn” at the Brooklyn Museum

The Art: The artwork in the “Crossing Brooklyn” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum is as varied as the borough itself. Featuring more than 100 works from 35 artists, the show includes virtually every medium — from sculpture and installation to video and performance. This survey underscores Brooklyn’s reputation as a robust and vibrant creative center.

Fun for Kids: The show has a ton of unexpected and quirky art pieces, such as a birdhouse with live cooing pigeons inside. Kids will also gravitate toward the life-size horse made from cork; visitors are invited to write a note and pin it to the sculpture’s base. And don’t forget to look up in the rotunda to see kites decorated with huge photos of kids.

Insider Tip: FYI: In the rotunda area, there are some photographs that include nudity. Make sure all of the art is appropriate for your child before you take them through.

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Pkwy.
Prospect Heights
718-638-5000
Through Jan. 4, 2015
Wed. & Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
$16/adults, free for children
Online: brooklynmuseum.org

 

photo: Alice Perry

“What’s Up, Doc?” at Museum of the Moving Image

The Art: Two words: Bugs Bunny. Or better yet: Chuck Jones, the wildly (or shall we say, “Wile E.”) inventive and talented animator behind Bugs, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote and plenty of others. The Museum of the Moving Image’s exhibit “What’s Up, Doc: The Animation Art of Chuck Jones” celebrates Jones’s amazing ability to create cartoon characters with big-sized and distinctive personalities that will likely outlive and outlast Dora and SpongeBob. The exhibit boasts 136 original sketches and drawings, monitors screening 23 of Jones’s films and interactive stations.

Fun for Kids: Kids will immediately dive for the bean bag chairs to watch cool-before-its-time Duck Amok. At the interactive animation station, kids can take on the role of director and create moves for Jones’s characters. At the Drop-In Moving Image Studio on Saturdays, kids can direct their own stop-action flick using Jones’s artwork as a starting point.

Insider Tip: Strollers are not permitted in the exhibition and interactive sections of the museum.

The Museum of Moving Image
36-01 35 Ave.
Astoria
718-777-6888
Through Jan. 19, 2015
Wed. & Thurs., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 10:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. 
$12/adults; $6/children; free for children under 3; free Fri., 4-8 p.m.

Online: movingimage.us

photo: Marcos Stafne, Brooklyn Children’s Museum

“More Than Meets the I” at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

The Art: “More than Meets the ‘I’” at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is a hands-on and interactive science exhibit that gets kids excited about science — specifically, concepts that you can’t see with the naked eye. While the words “nanotechnology” and “molecular biology” will surely induce a zoned-out state in most kids, the super cool stations at this exhibit will jolt your kids awake and translate those big ideas into digestible bite-size pieces.

Fun for Kids: This is one exhibit where the phrase “Don’t touch” will never pass your lips. Each area encourages budding scientists to touch, test and learn. The big kid-pleaser station is Commodore the Robotic Fish. Using a touch screen, kids can control the movements of Commodore who is made with a 3-D printer and swims in a real, gigantic aquarium.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave.
Crown Heights
718-735-4400
Through Jan. 19
Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$9/person; free Thurs., 3-5 p.m. and every third Thurs., 3-7 p.m.
Onlinebrooklynkids.org

 

What’s your must-hit exhibit of the season? Tell us in the comments below!

— Alice Perry

 

Heat have you feeling a bit haggard? Think you don’t have time (or the budget) for a fresh look? Think again. Whether you need a new ‘do but hate the thought of shelling out for a haircut and a sitter—or in need of the perfect postpartum wardrobe that is trendy instead of tired—we’ve got you covered. Here’s your busy mom’s guide to looking chic on the cheap.  

Take Time for a Trim

Salon Red Kids
Technically, this Decatur haircut spot is just for kids—but the grownup salon is right next door. And since the kid salon includes all sorts of fun entertainment, including cool car seats with individual TVs, the awesome people here have been known to bring over a stylist from next door to give mom’s hair a quick cut while your little one is getting one too. Just don’t try this with a toddler who won’t sit still for a movie, because if your kid gets distracted by the candy and toy shop at the front of the store, your haircut experience may get cut short.

123 East Ponce De Leon Ave.
Decatur
404-377-6230

Lifetime Spa
You thought Lifetime was just a gym, right? Think again. You don’t have to be a member to get your hair done, and standard cuts start at only $32. You can get your kids’ hair trimmed here too, and after Junior’s hair is out of his eyes, drop him off at the complimentary childcare center so you can get your own done in peace.

5590 Roswell Road #250
Sandy Springs
678-832-2324

Trade Up Your Togs

Given Take Swap Boutique
Given Take was the brain child of East Atlanta mom Adrienne Tankersley. Not wanting to spend a lot of cash on a temporary postpartum wardrobe, even at consignment prices, she thought it’d be easier if she could just swap clothes with friends—and Given Take was born. Given Take organizes swap events. You buy a ticket and bring at least 10 items of clothing to swap—in season and in great condition, with no stains or tears. You leave with a bag of new clothes. Bonus? Each event also includes free spa activities. You will need to hire a babysitter for this one, since only infants-in-arm are invited to most swaps, but when the ticket costs less than one item of clothing, splurging on a babysitter ain’t so bad.

Soak Away Stress

 

Jeju Sauna and Spa
Jeju is hard to describe. Modeled after traditional Korean spas, it includes everything from massage to exfoliation to a pool and a restaurant. Kids are welcome, but be prepared: nudity is also welcome in some areas (separated by gender). Jeju is open 24/7, so you can also leave your partner with the kids and head out for some relaxation after bedtime.

3555 Gwinnett Place Drive
Duluth
678-336-7414

How do you freshen up when you are frazzled? Share your multi-tasking mama secrets below!

–Lisa Baker

Photos courtesy of Salon Red via FacebookGiven Take via Facebook and Jeju Sauna and Spa via Facebook

When it comes to endless summer nights, Seattle has the bragging rights sewn up: Around here, sunlight lingers into end of day (we’ll have 16 hours of daylight on June 21!), making for long, languid evenings that seem to stretch on forever. Sure, our nights are seldom hot—some years, we just settle for dry—but the city comes alive at night during this season, with myriad options for after-hours adventures. Whether you’re seeking ways to play, eat, drink or explore the outdoors in the dark, this is your guide to the best summer nights Seattle has to offer.

[outdoors]
Hot Tub Boats
Imagine bobbing along on Lake Union in a floating, diesel-powered hot tub. That, um, dream is now reality, thanks to Seattle-based HOT TUB BOATS. Created by local shipwrights with an entrepreneurial bent (and, apparently, a sense of humor), these floating tubs (patent pending!) will take to the lake with as many as six people on board. The good news? A diesel-fired boiler keeps the water hot during your voyage. And you can steer while submerged. The bad? No alcohol or nudity is allowed. Sheer decadence or extreme dorkiness? We’ll let you decide. At press time, rental fees were not available; hottubboats.com.

To read about Seattle’s other perfect summer night activities, check out Seattle Magazine’s full article here.

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.