It has been a long time since I have been to the Space Needle, but also with my family.
While I forgot the price, it was $100+ for 4 of us!!!
Anyways, we get up there the kids love it. Go down to the glass floor (newer I believe) and Lucas gets scared! LOL. It is kinda insane.
Eventually it was all fun and a great experience!
Website: Space Needle
I remember doing some research of Kumamoto and there was a suggestion to use the Streetcars/trams. Official website: Getting Around Kumamoto
Part of my trips to Japan is to experience their transport system as it is one of the best in the world.
After getting out of Kumamoto station, the East exit will bring you to a location to jump on the streetcar (as they are called there). 
There was a flat fee, I think 170 yen, each way (for an adult). I had Suica, so I just tapped when entering and exiting. I didn’t realize that there was an all day pass for 500 Yen.
I would have grabbed that.
From what I gather, you want to enter the back and exit the front (but that depends on which type of street car).
There are 2 lines, A and B, and go to different locations.
I was still trying to figure out how to get to Hanabatacho station (shopping streets). There are a few different trams. I rode a few to get a feel for them going one way and the other (I also jumped on the wrong line on the way back to Kumamoto station).
This one was kinda interesting and was also the one I took. It was really a luxury tram!
This thing was like a diner tram!
A couple of the trams had wood flooring.
Some of the platforms/stops cater to both lines, make sure you get on the right one!
Pretty convenient to use! Either an IC or 1 day pass is good, with the pass being worth it if you are gonna use it for a few stops.
I found out it was Muni Heritage weekend. I wanted to take my kids to check it out. I found out that it is also near the SF Railway Museum and so that made it even better!
When we arrived in the Plaza, there were 2 vehicles for people to take pictures. A bus and cable car.
Across the street was the SF Railway Museum.
https://www.streetcar.org/tag/muni-heritage-weekend-2018/
The heritage fleet (classic bus and streetcars) were giving free rides. Depending on which bus you want to ride, it would give you a scenic route. The vintage vehicles were FREE!!!
We only got to ride on bus and then got on “the boat” streetcar for Pier 39.
SF Railway Museum was small, but very cool. The history was awesome and there were some cool items to buy. I personally loved the history that is show here!!!
This just opened up the other day.. but it is an elevated park 4 stories above SF streets, 5 blocks long, in downtown SF. It sounds amazing and it truly was pretty damn cool.
I don’t know all the little things of this, as there are still a few things that being worked on, but you go up 4 stories to reach the rooftop park. There are various trees and grass.. food court, climbing structures for kids… tons of benches and it is well lit.
Below the park itself, is the bus systems of AC transit, Muni and Greyhound. I believe the underground level will be for BART, CALtrain and if it ever gets done, the light rail.
I arrived there late as I wasn’t expect to check it out, but decided to last minute. That little time had a huge impact and left me impressed!
I should have took more pictures, but I was doing live streams on FB and IG. As I was trying to go to the other end, security started to shut down the park, which is open til 9pm.
Just south of San Francisco and SFO airport, you will come upon the Hiller Aviation museum. I checked it out since it was free museum day.
Usually $18 for an adult.
Heading towards the Golden Gate from SF, you will see the Palace of Fine Arts. Outside, if you can find parking, it is nice to just hangout and view the mini lake and older architecture.
You can also go inside and get a history lesson. It is an active place for music as there are artist and events constantly happening there.
Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Science is pretty cool. There is an a Planetarium, live animals, aquarium, rain forest..
It is about $40 for adult. I always look for discounts, but sometimes there are free days.
On certain evenings, they place in transformed to Nightlife. It is live music, drinks and hanging out. Pretty much a dive bar with animals around. LOL.
Tilden park is located in the hills near Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley. Like any big park, there are things to see throughout.
We have typically taken the kids there for both the park, little farm and Tilden natural area for some short hikes.
But we’ve mainly come to experience the steam train.
The location is actually further south. Take Central Park Dr until you hit the Tilden Merry Go Around.
Facebook is currently one of the biggest companies and most used social media outlets. It is also based here in the bay area.
In front of Facebook, there is the infamous like sign where you can take pictures in front of.
I’ve gone here many times and even have it on my list of things to show people when they come here.