San Francisco, Exploratorium and Pier 39

An early start this morning because of plans to head in to San Francisco to meet more guildmates from World of Warcraft, and of course, see the sights. Erich and I were first to arrive at the designated meeting place, the Exploratorium - Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Very cool place. Quite like the hands-on science/physics exhibits they do at MOTAT in Auckland, except BIGGER. The Exploratorium is located in the Palace of Fine Arts and the exterior is quite spectacular.


Unfortunately they were doing construction or reconstruction or something.. and we were unable to get closer to the dome.
First to arrive was Glagglag (Sam) and not long afterwards Kuroshiro (Sean) arrived. Others wern't able to make it or were coming later.
L-R Erich and Sam:

L-R Sam, Erich and Sean proving their geekdom by searching the web on their phones

After the Exploratorium we jumped in Seans car and drove to a restaurant for lunch via a few sights and Lombard St, famous for being "the crookedest street in the world", and though it is not actually true, it has eight switchbacks and a speed limit of 5mph.

The restaurant, Gordon Biersch, was virtually underneath the Bay Bridge, so had a great view.

Sean had to leave after the meal, but while we were there we had a call from Mia & Jonah (Mirshana & Tigreth) and we arranged to meet them at Pier 39. Total tourist trap, but busy, bright and overall pretty nifty.

Among the shops on the pier were a music box shop and The Fudge House. They even had an old style two storey Merry-go-round.


The view of Alcatraz was excellent from the end of the pier, and also VERY COLD.

We walked along to the Ghiradelli chocolate factory, but by the time we got there everyone was half frozen, tired and it had just become dark.

We hunted down another restaurant and warmed up and chatted over dinner before eventually getting back to the cars and heading home.
Another great day in California!