Breakfast in bed is nice and all, but who’s going to clean up the kitchen when the DCs have used every bowl and plate in the house to make it? Ask the little rugrats to take you to a teahouse instead, where the cakes are petite, the scones are freshly made, and someone else is in the kitchen washing up cups. 
Lovejoy’s Tea Room: Tables at the queen of traditional tea houses are set with a hodge-podge of gorgeous vintage china, making tea here either a pleasure (for older kids or adults) or a nightmare (for younger kids). Squashy tea sandwiches are freshly made; desserts and cakes are perfect bite-size delights. 1341 Church St. (at Clipper St.), San Francisco, 415-648-5895, lovejoystearoom.com.
Secret Garden: Little girls in particular will love this gingerbread-y joint right across the street from Golden Gate Park. Try on one of the teahouse’s hats and order a Princess Tea; the food’s not as pristine as at other tea spots, but you’ll feel a lot more welcome with a smallish kid. 721 Lincoln (between 8th and 9th Aves.), San Francisco, 415-566-8834, secretgardenteahouse.com.
Leland Tee: This modern tea house eschews the fusty Victorian vibe for a sexy French brasserie feel. They take their tea seriously too, leaving scores of samples at the front counter for customers to sniff and examine before they try, and encouraging drinkers to come up with their own blends. Try a fresh scone, and don’t forget to specially request clotted cream, as it isn’t standard. Organic and Fair Trade teas available. 1416 Bush St. (at Polk St.), San Francisco, 415-346-4832, www.lelandtea.com.
Modern Tea: Hands down, the best food at a tea house in San Francisco. Try the moist chicken “meatloaf”, and order a tea flight for tasting; just put yourself in your waiter’s hands and he or she will bring you to brewed ecstasy. The dining room is breezy, the chairs are comfortable, and strolling through Hayes Valley is a lovely way to work off your caffeine buzz. 602 Hayes St. (at Laguna St.), San Francisco, 415-626-4406, moderntea.com.
Samovar Tea Lounge: Like Leland and Modern Tea, Samovar also works that up-to-date, sleek and sexy vibe. Its unusual teas (like the smoky, addictive Monkey Picked Iron Goddess of Mercy) and sensuous, multi-culti food make dining here a sophisticated experience quite unlike a traditional English tea house. Two locations: 498 Sanchez St. (at 18th St.), San Francisco, 415-626-4700; 730 Howard (upper terrace of Yerba Buena Gardens), San Francisco, 415-227-9400, samovartea.com.