By on February 26th, 2016

5 Things to Do with Your Host Family in San Francisco

When you’ve chosen one of America’s most beautiful cities for your international study or internship, you will never want for amazing sights and cultural events to attend. Your host family is often concerned with showing you the really special landmarks, or taking advantage of one-time events and shows. As you settle into a daily routine in your San Francisco home, it might be a good time to invite your host family to explore the parts of the city the natives take for granted. This is a great way to see the often unobserved aspects of urban America, and to bond with your host family.

1. Go on a walking tour of the city. These guided tours will take you by some historical gold rush sights and through the many diverse neighborhoods and market areas of San Francisco. Your host family may never have thought to take you on a tour of the fire station, but the fascinating history and architecture is worth checking out. Tours take about two hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to stop after for a meal to discuss what you saw.

2. Visit a museum during the off season. San Francisco is home to many museums, including the California Academy of Sciences and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Choose a time when the museums aren’t busy so you and your hosts can explore together. This is a great way to encourage stories of growing up and sharing bits of historical trivia that may otherwise have never come up.

3. Try a new restaurant together. San Francisco boasts a wonderfully diverse population. Pick a country neither you nor your host family has been to, and try the local cuisine at any of San Francisco’s many ethnic restaurants. Trying your first sushi, or a traditional Middle Eastern dinner would make a great new experience to share together.

4. Attend a sing-along night at the Castro Theatre. This may sound like something better suited for children, but nothing bonds people like laughter. The Castro Theatre features regular sing-along evenings where popular musicals are shown with subtitles for the audience to play along. In addition to having a great time being silly with your hosts, you’ll also get the chance to work in some extra English practice by following along the songs.

5. Take a ride down the Winfield Street slides. The hilly roads of San Francisco are put to good use at the top of Winfield Street. Here you can grab a piece of cardboard to sit on, climb aboard the 40 foot slide, and zoom down to Prospect Avenue. This may not be an educational moment for you and your hosts to share, but it certainly is a fun memory that you won’t forget soon.

Exploring the vibrant city around you allows you to get the most out of your internship or study program. Becoming a part of the American tourist industry for a day opens up a world of new art, new history, and new memories to take with you. Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge and riding your first trolley are quintessential parts of coming to San Francisco, but don’t forget the many other attractions available. Even if your hosts have lived here their whole lives, they may not have seen some of these incredible places. Learning together will make your time in The Golden Gate City even more special.