Welcome to Memphis!!!
Good info provided above. I recommend BB King's on Beale St. in downtown Memphis for the 18 yr olds and Adults. Its a good place to see live music and eat some BBQ Ribs or Fried Cat Fish at the same time! You can check out BB King's place on the web to see who's playing and at what time. Also nearby is the Gibson guitar factory/museum if any are seriously into music. Corky's is good if you're just going for food, they have take out too, if pressed for time.
Drink lots of
water continuously to avoid dehydration. Don't forget the sun screen. My hubby's from the bay area and misses home the most during the summer here!
Don't worry too much about the weather. Can't do nuthin 'bout it
We have been in a pretty bad drought situation since the fall, so some locals are praying for rain. However, the forecast for any rain that might come is of the afternoon heat build up type shower that is very hit or miss. It can literally be raining on the house across the street and not on you! The rain can end as quickly as it starts. Being from the bay area I'm sure you know all about quick changing weather! Bring a poncho and hope for the best.
Another area for shopping and dining is in Collierville---From I-240 Head east on Hwy 385 a/k/a Bill Morris Pkwy Exit at Houston Levee and the new shopping area will be on your right/south
There you will find Carrabas, Bonefish, Firebirds, Japanese w/habachi and sushi, Crepes, Cheeburger ", Blue Coast Burrito, etc...and all sorts of shopping. The historic square in Collierville offers more unique restaurants, Pasta Italia (Great food RSVP & $$), Cafe Italia (Casual Great Dessert Coffee & Bar open very late) and the Silver Caboose (Homestyle lunch 11-2 only) to name a few plus a new one that opened within train cars on the track (Tropicana?) for a "vintage" dining car experience and the square is very nice to visit. To get to the square take Hwy 385 and Exit at Byhalia Rd (this is the next exit after Houston Levee). Turn Left/North onto Byhalia Rd and drive a few blocks to Poplar Ave. Turn Right on Poplar Avenue drive approx. 1+ mile to Main Street and turn right drive down two blocks and you will be at the square.
Good Luck and Hope everyone enjoys their visit.
Ya'll come back now ya hear!