I like Angel Island - my maternal great grandfather & familly lived there for a while, I think when it was a naval station. My great grandmother usd to row around it. And I think my dad was processed there when he immigrated. So it's fun for the whole family, as long as the family is, you know, mine.

Anyway, it's mostly a park with pretty nature and very pleasant, but nothing spectacular and not broody at all. Much as I like it, I wouldn't really recommend a visit if you have time constraints. If you have an extra week in SF, taking a day to go picnic would be reasonable.

I would like to do something sea-related, if possible. I miss the sea. Boat trips? Ferries? Something along those lines would be cool.

the Musée Mechanique at Pier 45 (warning: at least one page on the MM website has sound, and anyone who's been there before can guess exactly what sound it is).

Gah. Shudder. Euw. I run past that thing almost every day, and it still gives me a wiggins.

(I do actually like Fisherman's Wharf, but I'm not there as a tourist, I'm there to use the tourists as a human obstacle course during my run. Plus, I get to see Alcatraz. Pretty.)

The localistas will, of course, be around early, and this localista has made sure she's available for the hanging out with Buffistae. So.

I'm all about the available, although there will obviously be stuff I need to be doing at various points.

I used to adore the Musee Mechanique (the old one was further into the Wharf's side streets, not on a pier), but that's because it had a shitload of real pinball machines.

Fay, take a ferry ride from SF to Larkspur, in Marin, or just over to Sausalito. There are boat tours, as well, but they aren't cheap.

If you're coming on the Alcatraz thing, doesn't that start (and hopefully finish) with a ferry ride of some sort?

Has anyone made plans for Monday night?

Just chiming in to mention that I too will be around on Friday, and most of Monday (flying in Thursday night, leaving Monday late afternoon), and will be very interested in any and all proposed wandering. I haven't been to the bay area in something like 15 years, which is crazy considering that I love it there.

And to throw a big batch of ~ma at deb's Nic.

I should be able to get off work early on that Friday, and I took Monday off so I will be around to visit. I'm woefully behind in keeping track of what's happening when because work has kept me away from the board for the past couple of weeks.

If the weather is good, and people find themselves with some time and a touristy feeling, I'd recommend a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, or a bicycle if you're feeling a little more daring (it can be scary if the wind is blowing or the serious bikers are out and yelling at you to get out of the way).

There is indeed a ferry ride to Alcatraz and you get a lovely view of the entire bay that way. It's gorgeous out there.

If you just want to get out on the water, there's a circle tour that goes out into the bay, tours around Alcatraz and under the GG Bridge and then returns. I'd recommend that because it's about an hour, and that's about perfect for being on the water. If you want to go to Sausalito or Jack London Square in Oakland, then those would be desirable ferry rides too.

But I prefer the little circle tour, or the ferry to Alcatraz.

Nice thing about the ferry to somewhere is that is actually leaves you somewhere, that you don't have to pay to get into. Sausalito for southern Marin - my old stomping ground - Larkspur, for more toward the middle, or the east bay. You can get out, wander, eat, shop, peer in windows, and then get a ferry back.