Even if you’re dragged across state lines or need to drive 6-8 hours to a destination for your kids’ tournament, it’s still a vacation.
I mean not an ideal one, may not be the one you want, with parents you would never choose to road trip with, but you make your own travel arrangements, and you hang out for a bit and then off you go. I mean you’re out of town exploring a new city, or some new diners, drive-ins, or dives of a city you haven’t been to in a while. You’re exploring the city with new people and their perspective helps you see this adventure in a different way.
Granted referees are not always the best part of a tournament road trip destination, but you make the best of the situation and forget about the bad calls when you leave the field, gym, court, or rink. You pass by little towns and big towns on the highways and stop by to see go-to spots just for fun. And I recently returned from a quick pit stop in between games. And hanging with my kids in that city provided a Sesame Street vibe I hadn’t known before.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a spot for the clam chowder and visits to Alcatraz. Of course. No doubt but we explored two spots that were a must, and they took me back to my Reading Rainbow-Romper Room days and I enjoyed the escape. I wasn’t aware how much I needed the escape until I got there. Different vibe, different feel. And the fact that the city was empty during the week made the trip even better. Crowded touristy places give me heartburn. But luckily the crowds were someplace else. And among this crowd-less part of town we caught the most awesome old-school arcade on the pier. If you’ve ever been in that area, can’t miss it.
It was a cool retro type of arcade with old school games, some probably from fairs back in the day. With $20 worth of quarters, we enjoyed classic arcade games that used to entertain people a long time ago. Finding puppets, arm wrestling feats of strength, jukeboxes and old arcade games made for a really fun afternoon. Smiles and laughs happening nonstop. Making memories and I hadn’t even planned it. Those are some of the best ones.
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Before you knew it, was time to go. Getting dark and still needing to get to our destination. This little side trip to a place I’d known before felt different. And I didn’t mind it. I’d discovered a new spot in a familiar old town. A new spot that gave us a different adventure. That feeling you get when something good just happened and you know the kids will remember it, not because it was spectacular, with fireworks but because it was different and good, creative and fun, new and engaging. Classic arcade on a pier by the water. Feeling like the best part of an 80’s movie. Good Times … Noodle Salad.
But in reality, it was more like Good Times … and Chocolate at the end of the night. And I wanted it to last. Last longer so they could remember. That day was a good day.
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Buen Camino …
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The Wish Factor 
How cool to get there with the kids. I was in San Fran back in ’93, at the height of the Barry Bonds Giants pennant run (their first run). The whole town was dressed in black baseball caps and it was the coolest vibe. As for the town, I remember going across the Golden Gate and having lunch at Fog City Diner and riding a trolley and hanging by the wharf. I loved the town.
Duuuuude the trolley 🙂 got to love that ride. I imagine that back in the day a lot of people were wearing the orange and black 🙂 however since I was up in the Bay Area at that time I was probably the only one in Dodger Blue 🙂 I could have walked by you on the weekend and not even known. I’m gonna have to try the Fog City Diner next time I’m around as I didn’t get a chance to 🙂 but they did dig the Wharf although I wish we had more time as it was only like a 2 hour pit stop 🙂 I’ll holler at you and let you know when I stop by again … maybe I’ll post 🙂
The trolley was so much fun. I got reprimanded for hanging out of it too far, because of course I did.
That’s right, you are the La La Lady, all dressed in blue and ready to rumble . . . for another Series run, which you guys will most likely be doing.
Fog City was divine, you will love it.
Booyah! Please do.
Ghirardelli indeed is a Good place for chocolate somethings. SF Fisherman’s Wharf is a very special place. It holds many many happy and memorable Family and Childhood Memories. Wonderful Adventure my Friend. Thank you for sharing them.
Always a great place to have memories. Ghirardelli is a must, and I hate it when someone just west a small scoop. If you go, you gotta go all in, right? What I loved most about this was this: “That feeling you get when something good just happened and you know the kids will remember it, not because it was spectacular, with fireworks but because it was different and good, creative and fun, new and engaging.”
You always got to go all in! Especially at Ghirardelli’s:) thanks for the love, I’m hoping they do remember it and smile