Unfortunately the Musee Mechanique just closed. According to its official site, it’s being relocated to Pier 45. I hope nothing gets damaged in the move. Those old mechanical games are fun, and there’s nothing creepier than Laughing Sal.
As for the OP, I was going to recommend a calamari sandwich at Huckleberry’s on Clay St. and some falafel at Just Like Home, but last week I discovered they have both closed as well. Yeah, I’m bitter.
At least Thanh Long is still around. They serve outstanding roasted crab and the best garlic noodles in the known universe. It’s expensive, but well worth it. They’re out at 4101 Judah.
Oh yeah! Go to Tu Lan! Best. Vietnamese food. EVAR. It’s this crappy little hole in the wall at Mission & 6th, but do not be fooled by the (lack of) ambience! And it’s cheap!
If you like sleezy strip clubs (and, really, who doesn’t), you can’t do much better that The Market Street Cinema. There was another pretty sleezy one, too, The O’Farrell or something like that, that was also fairly sleezy, but more expensive.
I think you mean U.S.S. Pampanito, whose very interesting homepage is here, and it really is a fascinating tour. Try to imagine yourself in those cramped quarters under depth charge attack!
I don’t remember the liberty ship, but the last time I was there was about ten years ago. Isn’t there a Cape Horn sailing ship, a three or four-masted bark, there, too? Or am I thinking of San Diego?
If you’re into Victorian archetecture a stroll down Steiner Street might be worthwhile. Youll recognize the row houses from magazine ads and TV.
Anyway, fishcrawford when you go, remeber the immortal words of the late columnist Herb Caen and Don’t Call It Frisco.*
*The title of a book by Herb Caen released some time in the late fifties. Probably long out of print and hard to find, but, as I remember, a good read.
Negatory. Those were mostly the same ones that have now moved in to Pier 39 on Fishermen’ Wharf. It’s pretty much been abandoned by the California Sea Lions ( a rare Steller’s might make the occasional appearance ) - I saw a young, lone female C. Sea Lion out there about four or five months ago and according to the Ranger I was chatting with, that was the first one he’d seen there in two years.
But you’re right that it is worth going for the other attractions there ( the Pacific Ocean alone is worth it ).
The Mitchell Brothers’ O’Farrell Theatre. A dubiously historic venue in its own right ( the film X-Rated with the brothers Sheen was made about its founders, who made their fortune producing the porn film Behind the Green Door, one of whom still runs it ).
Also on Geary, a few miles west is Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant. Biggest selection of tequila outside Mexico. Only problem is that it keeps restaurant hours… I think they close at 11. Geary between 23rd and 24th Aves.
One tip nobody’s mentioned: No matter what time of the year, bring a jacket! Doesn’t need to be an arctic parka, but you’ll need something. Any time during the day, and guaranteed after dark it will get chilly. My ex-GF’s and my idea of a cheap date was to go up to The City in August, and point/laugh at all the tourists shivering in their shorts.