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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who:
Travel Savvy Mom founder Jamie Pearson and her 5-year-old son.

What and Where:
Bay Quackers Duck Tour.   A wacky land and sea tour of San Francisco in an amphibious decommissioned WWII landing craft called a “DUKW” and nicknamed a “Duck”.

Why:
Once a year, my son and I pick a place within easy driving distance of our home for an overnight trip.  For one weekend, we pretend he is an only child (he’s not) and indulge in all kinds of guilty pleasures.  We call it our getaway.

Getaways usually feature theme parks, room service, indoor pools, and in-room video gaming.  We don’t usually do much sightseeing (because we’re too busy eating cheeseburgers in bed while watching Alvin and the Chipmunks), but this time we made an exception.

The Low Point:
I knew we were in trouble when the guide distributed yellow, plastic “quackers” and led us all in a little warm-up exercise.  During the tour, we were encouraged to quack at passersby, locals, and tourists, many of whom actually quacked back.  This alone was worth the price of the tour, and frankly restored my faith in humanity.

I don’t think Ducks were designed for hills, because we only cruised the flatter parts of the city (and breathed a fair amount of diesel exhaust while doing so, it must be said) .  Ninety minutes might be a little long for young children, but it’s amazing how much fun you can have with those ridiculous quackers.

The Kid’s Take:
Two thumbs up for the relentless quacking, and the fact that we got to keep the quackers.  Triple word score for getting a turn to drive the Duck around the bay when it magically morphed from truck to boat.

The Bottom Line:
San Francisco Duck Tours aren’t cheap ($35/$25 for adults/children under 12), but I’m a fan.   I like them for the same reason I like the motorized cable car tours: you can see something of the city while sitting on your butt.  Bring warm, waterproof clothing as you’ll be exposed to wind, rain, fog, and maybe even waves.  Tours leave from Fisherman’s Wharf (corner of Beach and Leavenworth) in any kind of weather, year round.