MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES INTERESTED IN STAYING IN A GREEN ENVIRONMENT that's close to a cultural metropolitan area ought to opt for the new Cavallo Point, the Lodge at the Golden Gate (www.cavallopoint.com), which opens June 1. Set within the Golden Gate National Parks at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge near Sausalito, the hotel and conference center has been built as a conversion from the historic Fort Baker military village.
As a result, guests will have their pick of one of 68 historic rooms and suites (some have two bedrooms), which once served as officers' headquarters, many with fireplaces and great views of the San Francisco skyline and bay. Another 74 rooms and suites will be in new buildings of sustainable design. Because they're set on higher ground, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge promise to be breathtaking. Whether historic or contemporary, all rooms will provide organic bedding and linens, flat-panel HD TVs and Wi-Fi connectivity. 
Grandparents and grandchildren will be able to enjoy several activities in this natural setting, including guided birdwatching and wildflower walks as well as yoga. In fact, travel agents will be able to assist clients by pre-booking a variety of activities from the resort's culinary, creative and healing arts programs.
When the clan wants to venture into San Francisco, we suggest they visit the Museum of Modern Art (www.sfmoma.org), whose family programs are offered on Sunday afternoons. If they are still looking for a more natural experience, they can head north to Muir Woods, which is known worldwide for its giant redwood trees. A member of the National Park Service (www.nps.gov), Muir Woods has six miles of trails. Those with limited mobility will be able to enjoy 1.5 miles of paved or boardwalked trail, which is mostly flat. 
Cavallo Point is just five miles from San Francisco's Marina District and 21 miles from San Francisco International Airport. It's part of the Passport Resorts collection (which also includes the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur) and is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
The travel agent liaison for the property is Kristin Coates ([email protected] or 415-339-4780); she can help your multi-generational group plan a private function in one of the property's banquet or dining rooms or even at an outdoor meeting space. Excursions
Cavallo Point's signature restaurant will be Murray Circle, where chef Joseph Humphrey will showcase food from local and organic farms and ranches. Foodies can further indulge themselves at the wine and olive oil center.
What's green at Cavallo Point, which is within an international biosphere reserve? U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification for Cavallo Point is pending; green-building elements at the property include unisolar panels that are integrated into the metal roofing; low-VOC glues, paints and carpets and green-building materials, which include extensive use of bamboo and recycled woods. Additionally, Cavallo Point's open spaces will be restored with more than 30,000 native plants raised from seeds collected from the adjacent parklands. What's more, The Institute at the Golden Gate, set to open this fall, will oversee the environmental programming at Cavallo Point.
We suggest the following three nearby dining options for families: A. Sabella's (www.asabellas.com) is an institution in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf whose top-notch service provides the ideal restaurant experience for a celebratory dinner. Café Maritime (www.cafemaritimesf.com) on Lombard Street is a more casual environment specializing in seafood. In Sausalito, a bracing breakfast with steaming cappuccino can be found at Poggio (www.poggiotrattoria.com).