Day 2 continued
Once we returned from our tour we were all really hungry, so we went to Johnny Rockets for lunch. I know this is a chain, but we don't have them here so I was looking forward to trying it. We all had burgers and milkshakes, and it was really good.
After lunch we walked across the street to Boudin's Bakery and decided to take the little self guided tour that they offer.
Isn't this bread cute! I was amazed at all the different stuff they could make out of bread!
The tour was interesting, and they had some hands on things for the boys to do, which they enjoyed. But, mostly they liked watching them make the bread. Looking at all the huge equipment and seeing how it works was actually quite fun. AND, there is a tasting room at the end of the tour. I was still full from lunch, but after being in there smelling all that fresh made bread, I couldn't help myself and had to have a couple of samples!
After our tour there we decided to head in the opposite direction of Pier 39 and see what was at that end. It was
much less crowded, and you didn't have all the street performers at that end either.
Our first stop was at the Maritime Museum. We didn't pay to go onto the boats, but they were fun to look at anyway. DS12 had to stop and get his picture taken with the pirates (ahhhh, a boy after his mother's heart
,
) Of course, these pirates aren't nearly as attractive as a couple of other pirates I know of!
Here's one of DH at the Maritime Museum
And one that DS took of the both of us. (Don't mind my hair - it was
incredibly windy!
Here is one more of Alcatraz from the end of the dock at the Museum
And, one looking the other way
We continued our walk, and as we passed a beach like area (really it was just a small section of sand) DS decided that he wanted to go see how cold the water was. He was a bit tentative, and when he finally did feel it, he said it was REALLY cold!
We kept walking towards the Golden Gate Bridge, hoping that we would be able to get a better view of it. We actually found an area that would have been a nice spot, but that darn fog just wouldn't go away.
DH took this one of me and the boys, again, please ignore the windblown look
Here is DS12, whenever he sees one of these short blockade poles, he thinks that it is there for him jump.
We decided to head back to our hotel for a break, and I needed to get on the computer and make some hotel reservations for the next night and get some sort of idea what we might do. On the way back though, we passed Ghiradelli Square - ummmmm, you can't pass Ghiradelli and not get ice cream can you? No, you can't!
The kids and I headed into the ice cream parlor, I had a dark fudge brownie sundae, mmmmmm - it was so good! The kids each had waffle cones, but for the life of me I can't remember what kind of ice cream they had. I know it was good though, because they ate every last crumb! While we were having our ice cream, DH went next door to Cellar360 and did a wine tasting. I'm not a wine drinker so I didn't mind him going without me at all.
One last stop one our way back to the hotel, we had to have a picture with a trolly car!
With hotel ressies and tentative plans made for the next couple of days, and after a short nap, we headed out to find someplace to eat for dinner. Again, we avoided Pier 39 and went in the opposite direction. We ended up choosing a place called Cioppinos. It was GREAT! DH had a seafood stew that he said was incredible, DS7 had butter noodles (his favorite - I swear the child is a carboholic, he could eat pasta and bread everyday and be in heaven - I seriously think he needs a 12 step program!
) and DS12 and I had a linguine and crab dish that was also really good. If anyone is heading to the Fisherman's Wharf area in SF, I would definately recommend this restaurant!
Here's a couple of pictures we took at the end of our meal.
After dinner we walked around a little more, bought a couple of souvenirs, and then headed back to the hotel to organize all of our stuff and get ready to leave in the morning.
Up next: Day 3, We're Headed to Monterey!
What's up with all these sick kids?!
I did the obligatory pilgrimage for old(or not so old) hippies to the Haight to see where all the action was in the 60's.
Now that I think of it, my last San Francisco experience was a PITA. DH and I were on a big road trip after we first got married and wanted to see the city since he had never been. We tried to just find a parking spot to walk around the Wharf and went into a parking garage that charged about $15 for a couple of hours which was a lot at the time. We drove up and up looking for a spot and the only one was right on top in the sun. We were in a black truck and had several hundred dollars worth of wine since we had been in Napa for a couple of days. Needless to say we were NOT going to park in the sun half a day to destroy our wine so we turned around and left. We did get our money back but just kept on driving. At least DH got to see the Golden Gate Bridge.
I make it at home- it's my favorite meal.
I just found that amusing.
