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Hi guys, I have heard that Donatello Resort in California is the heart of wonderful activities. Apart from all basic amenities and cultural activities at the resort, one can also explore many fantastic sights of the city. I have also heard that the city's finest entertaining activities are also located close by which also includes Hot Air Balloons. Is it really true guys….??

I am sure I would love this place as I am quiet an adventurous person. If anyone who has experienced all this.. Please reply…!!

The Shell Vacation Club at Club Donatello is located in the heart of San Francisco, which is also called the “City by the Bay,” and is a very luxurious hotel. The historical place has a lot to offer its visitors both culturally and aesthetically.

The tastefully decorated rooms are very spacious and are equipped with all the comforts to pamper its guests. Each room has color TV and video player, CD player, a wet bar, microwave, small refrigerator, an in-room safe and internet port on phone, along with long distance access. The perfect retreat for weary bodies after a day’s sightseeing is the spa, featuring Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. Most of the outdoor recreational facilities are located nearby and one can enjoy cycling, golf, horseback riding, boating, or hot air ballooning. Hot air ballooning is pretty famous here; trust me; it’s one heck of a ride.

The city is renowned for its exquisite cuisine and is well complimented by the Zingari Ristorante, a northern Italian restaurant. One can enjoy a leisurely evening on the rooftop garden with a great view of the city.

The Union Square has ample opportunities for shopping, dining and cultural activities like theater. The Cable Car Museum is a must see, as is the Exploratorium, an experimental, hands-on museum of science, art and human perception. One can make a trip to the famous Alcatraz Island and prison, the Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge with its eclectic charm.

Whether it is a leisurely, restful vacation or an exciting adventurous one, you can enjoy all the relaxing luxuries of a vacation retreat at the Shell Vacation Club at Club Donatello.

The only thing hard about visiting San Francisco is that there is way more to do than you can fit in. Besides the obvious pleasures of eating, drinking, shopping and theater going, my favorite things are at Golden Gate Park. The Arboretum can be visited numerous times of the year to see the seasonal changes of plants from all around the world. I love the recently refurbished Conservatory of Flowers and now there is the most sustainably built new Academy of Sciences...serious family fun. Most recently I visited the De Young Museum and saw an awesome Chihoully glass exhibit. And there is lots more to see in the park, as well as just having a good old fashioned picnic.
Take a ferry ride....anywhere! The views from the Bay are beautiful. You could end up at Alcatraz, Angel Island or Jack London Square.
You cannot go wrong with a timeshare or timeshare rental in San Fran.
And I haven't even mentioned day trips to the Sonoma and Napa wine countries...where you can catch a hot air balloon ride. Or, head south and see Half Moon Bay or Monterey.
If you like jazz...Yoshi's ranks as a top club in all the USA. My favorite eats are burritos in the Mission District...and for Thai food, contempory style, you can't beat Osha...also in the Mission.
Any questions? This could be an endless discussion.

Thanks for sharing all these great tips about visiting the San Francisco bay area. Im heading to San Fran in late December with my family and we'll be headed to Golden Gate Park. My boys love animals and especially anything that lives in the sea so the Acadamy of Sciences will be our first stop.

Is the Shell Vacation Club at the Donatello time share resort kid friendly? I also heard about Shell Vacations Club time share at Fishermans Wharf. My wife loves fresh crab with a little vino so Im hoping to visit this are too.

Do you have any other reccomendations for children activities in the San Francisco area?

Thanks-Parker

Just this week the AAA magazine, VIA (VIAMAGAZINE.COM) features an article about the new natural history museum and aquarium. In checking that site out, I discovered an incredible wealth of travel information for all ages and all sorts of activities about the SF Bay area. (photo included here of view of Academy of Sciences from the DeYoung Museum...note skylights)
The Donatello, while very nice and friendly staffed, doesn't have a big draw for children. The SF Zeum (zeum.com) at Yerba Buena Center is an art and technology museum for the younger set that is downtown. There is also a merry go round, but the children I've taken there loved most of all the chance to just run free on the grass at the Center. The photos below are all taken at the Yerba Buena Center...inside the Zeum and outside at the merrygo round.
I may be a little biased, but Fisherman's Wharf would be fun for families that enjoy tourist type activities and views of the Bay. Good place to be to catch the ferry rides.
Truthfully, San Francisco is not that big...7 miles wide. Any location is pretty good. Public transportation is convenient and easy. Having a timeshare in that city would mean having the opportunity to return and return to continue experiencing and getting to know a very unique place.
And then......you can head north to wine country, east to Yosemite or Lake Tahoe or south to Santa Cruz, Carmel or Monterey.

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Camama

Mark Silverman of the San Francisco Timeshare Examiner recently named Shell Vacations Club as The Best Timeshare in San Francisco. The criteria he used was that it was a mainstream club, with a prescence in the Bay Area. Guess that would include all 3, Inn at Opera, Fisherman's Wharf and The Donatello.
I'm thinking that with holiday shopping coming up and/or escape from holidaze activities, a timeshare stay right in the heart of the city would be a great idea. Union Square (the whole downtown, actually) will be all lit up and festive. They are planning on having an ice skating rink,too. Can you see The Nutcracker too many times?
In this period of "Staycations"...I think it would be worth the trip, even if you don't come from very far away.
Here's a photo of yours truly demonstrating:

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Camama

Just like to add some other awesome activities to experience in San Francisco...any time of year. The Golden Gate Bridge with it's art deco style hanging over that very deep and strong current of the Golden Gate (actual name of the pass) is a thrill to walk over. Taking a ferry over to Angel Island creates great photo ops from the water. Our family loves hiking all over the island and having a picnic. And, while Barry Bonds may be gone, the AT&T (or whatever new name is current) Ball Park is cool structure with an old time feel. Nice water views there, also. Check out some photos....

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Camama

The giant Coca Cola bottle in the ballpark photo is actually a kids slide. What a great place for a ball game! I can smell the garlic fries!!!! Thanks for sharing!

Parker

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stays at the Donatello. We loved being on Union Square; shopping at Numerous Markups...I mean Neiman Marcus and dining in the rotunda. There is a Club on the top floor of the Donatello where we had breakfast and evening appetizers. The staff were very helpful and accommodating. We look forward to sharing our timeshare with our family members in the future.

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Big Daddy Don
28 years of Timesharing!