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Written on 1/16/2009

08/01/05: SAN FRANCISCO TRIP - DAY 4: Dottie's Bkfast; Mechanical Museum; Alcatraz; Swan Oyster Depot; Willy Wonka; Yerba Buena Gardens; The Stinking Rose:


This morning, Natalie and I had another lovely San Francisco brunch/breakfast at a place called Dottie's True Blue Cafe.











I think the above and below photos were taken to remind us that Natalie liked the place more than I did.





There were plenty of people to take our place when we left.

We walked past some more photogenic trolleys back to Fisherman's Wharf to get our ferry to Alcatraz.



We were a bit early for the boat, so we decided to wander into this very curious facade:



Who doesn't want to check out the inside of an old pier building reclaimed for some use that involves painting the door like a mouth? "Amusing America & The Musee Mecanique!?!?!" "Free Admission?" Sold!

Inside we found a packed warehouse space, filled with old mechanical coin-operated amusements. It's an amazing collection.








Almost all mechanical.







Off to the ferry to Alcatraz!



We saw the seals again while waiting for the boat.



Looks like the people on the West Coast have talked about creative ways to separate people from their money, with the people on the East Coast! Ha!







Waiting for the boat to leave the pier.



Looking back towards the city as we depart.



It was pretty busy on the top deck, because it was a nice day.







She's smiling now.....



I need a hair cut.



This is as ominous in real life as expected.





I don't know this girl. But she's in my shot.





Entering the Island.



Looking back towards freedom.



A park ranger gave us all a welcome and introduction.



$2?



Holy Crap.





We did the self-guided audio tour like many others. So now we're in a creepy ex-maximum-security-prison on an island, in a formidable bay, and half the people are walking around like zombies. Great.

















Photos of some of the inmates of this super-maximum security part of the prison.



Seriously, just standing in one of these areas makes your body crawl with the sensation that you want to get out right away.







The mannequins were totally unnecessary, and racheted the creepiness into the stratosphere.



The "yard."







The birds were everywhere and out of control.











This building has looked better.







Lunch on the boat-ride back to San Francisco. It was cool to see Alcatraz, and it was worth the trip, but we were happy to leave.

More windy rides with hair:











We rode up and over Nob Hill on the California Street Trolley Line, heading for some real San Francisco Dungeness Crab.





Natalie got to ride on the outside this time. Super-scary when the other trolley with people hanging off it goes right by on the next track!









Nice Art-Deco building entrance.





Going over Nob Hill.









The Swan Oyster Depot is apparently famous for being around forever, having not changed a bit, and for having amazing Dungeness Crab, which we just can't get on the East Coast. So, here goes...



We wasted our time with the Oysters first.









Holy Crap. This was pricey, a little hard to get to, and totally worth it!







This guy needs more flare.

Back at our Hotel Room, for our first mid-day pit-stop before evening activities. Here are a few views from our room:











This evening we decided to walk around, and we found ourselves at a brand new Sony-built complex that has shopping, a Sony store, a skating rink, a bowling alley, manicured gardens, a carousel, and an Imax theatre. We decided to see Tim Burton's Willy Wonka.











We saw Willy Wonka on the huge IMAX size screen.... with very few people... which didn't help the movie much.



Popcorn an an icee!!!







Wandering around the rest of the ultra-modern complex.









Natalie says we played a game or two of bowling. I have no recollection of that. All I have is this shot of the inside of the bowling alley. Natalie's probably right. She probably won, too.









Carousel information, in case you wanted to know.












We got hungry for a late night snack, so we decided to go back to The Stinking Rose... high praise for a single restaurant on a 1-week trip. The sub-line is "A Garlic Restaurant." Should we be surprised that we are back?







They had this thing... where they just roast garlic in oil, and serve it to you above a flame. The garlic is so roasted, it's soft like a spread, and you put it onto toasted bread. We love this idea.



They also had a garlic potato leek soup with a pastry over the top. This is excellent vacation food.



We slept well and stunk.