Monday, September 23, 2013

America - San Francisco - Take me out to the ball game...and Alcatraz and Mama's!

 photo DSC_4250_zps5081a157.jpg

Once you know your dates for San Francisco (assuming that you are all going now), the first thing you need to do is book your tickets to Alcatraz. 

This was wise information that was passed on to me, that I now share with you. This is particularly if you plan to go in the summer months. 

When we rocked up on the 18th of June for our 8:45am boat to Alcatraz island, there was a big signboard out the front saying that the next available tickets weren't until the 29th of June. Walk by that sign a day later, and we're looking at somewhere around July 9th. Not even kidding.

And make sure you get your tickets from the official ticketing page at Alcatraz Cruises, there are some other suss looking ones out there.

 photo DSC_4303_zpseff19680.jpg

But back to Alcatraz, you must have heard of the famous island just a few kilometres out from San Francisco city. Also lovingly referred to as "The Rock", Alcatraz was a military fortification at birth, but functioned as a prison for most of it's working years, that housed many of America's worst criminals and gangsters back in the day. 

 photo DSC_4258_zpsdd707f7f.jpg

To get there, you need to take a ferry that's serviced by the National Park Service. When you buy your Alcatraz ferry tickets online, you also have to allot which boarding time you want, the earliest being 8:45am, which is also the one I would strongly recommend. More on why later.

Brad and I had again been blessed with perfect weather and although it took a while to get the boat filled up, the 10 minute ride over was just beautiful. Fantastic views of the San Francisco bay behind you. 

 photo DSC_4279_zps2e337fe4.jpg

 photo DSC_4287_zpscd59b89b.jpg

When you reach the island, you're given a little briefing of what you can and can't do on the island, which is actually a National Park, home to many birds and plant species. After, there's a short movie viewing giving some history to the island. Did you know that other than being a prison, in it's retirement years after, the island also played a role in politics, when Native American activists occupied the island for a good 19 months? I thought that was pretty interesting!

 photo DSC_4301_zps262d80d4.jpg

Whilst you could just walk the island and take in the views (it's not a long walk around), the value is in the audio tour (included in your ferry fare) that takes you around the abandoned prison. 

It gets pretty crowded pretty fast though, and even though we came in on the first boat, we had to follow a line to get to the audio tours….I would hate to think how long the line would have been if we had come midday! 

 photo DSC_4317_zps1125de3a.jpg

One of my favourite things about the audio tour, is that the narrating is done by ex-inmates and correctional officers, because there's that cool 1920's, prohibition era, gangster swag in the accent. It really made it feel as if you were being taken around the prison by the people who used to work there, when the cells were full and probably a bit noisier than they are now. 

 photo DSC_4308_zpsf9afed1f.jpg

The chuckles and guffaws in the recordings, following the retelling of a story or a memory, or the heavy sighs when the officers would recall a man who was jailed in The Rock for 15 years with no visitors, it gave the whole visit so much more character. 

One of my favourite stories was, funnily enough, in the dining room, which was an absolutely huge space. By law, the food served in the dining room was not only supposed to be nutritions and tasty, it was required to be well presented as well, so none of this slop stuff.

So the story goes, that one time spaghetti was on the menu, which was great for the inmates. They loved it…until it was on the menu every day…and the quality started deteriorating. The inmates weren't happy, with one inmate saying that if he was served spaghetti one more time he was going to flip…and so the next day…they started flipping tables. 

Aaah. Good times. 

 photo DSC_4342_zpsd405ac9f.jpg

For the most part though, I was a little surprised at the rather decent conditions the inmates lived in, as so many of the quotes appeared to paint a much harsher picture, maybe it wasn't super plush, but it looked basic and clean and I loved hearing that the inmates would play checkers with the guards, and had access to a library where many of them would end up reading philosophy. 

Cool right?

I guess there was the occasional riot though. Not so sweet.

 photo DSC_4354_zps41b66990.jpg

 photo DSC_4360_zps6f62c073.jpg

 photo DSC_4370_zps70c02cfb.jpg

There are absolutely beautiful views out from the island of San Francisco, which the prisoners hardly got to see, but that you should definitely not miss out. Just a word of warning, it's incredibly windy out, especially if you decide to explore out a bit further from the safety of the buildings as I did...I was nearly blown over!

 photo DSC_4403_zps8eeac69b.jpg

There are set times for return boats and again, the line for this got pretty long, so again, I would hate to have arrived midday and try to be leaving with the whole lot of stragglers mid-afternoon. Just saying. Get here early.

 photo DSC_4408_zpse1c52bb5.jpg

After we returned back to Pier 33, where we were subject to looking at photos of us posed in front of a faux Alcatraz in the hopes that we would buy them (I'm honestly surprised people do), we made our way down to Pier 39. 

 photo DSC_4410_zps465bf2ca.jpg

There's not really much going on down there, it's super-dooper touristy and super windy (so make sure you rug up a little), with some nice views of Alcatraz island, but importantly there are sea lions.

 photo DSC_4438_zps4ca1442c.jpg

Sea lions! Just chilling out on a bunch of wooden platforms by the pier, where they laze about in the sun, bark at each other and roll. So freaking cute. Apparently the numbers drop in summer, but in winter there are pictures where the platforms are just piled up with them! 

 photo IMG_9055_zps3c870a08.jpg

This guy had the right idea to chill out from the others. Clever sea lion...

 photo DSC_4454_zpsa02258ca.jpg

 photo DSC_4462_zps82a3ae84.jpg

From there, we strolled on down towards Washington Square to visit the famous "Mama's" to get our lunch situation sorted out. Or well, breakfast and lunch, since we merely had a few museli bars between 7am and 1pm or so. On the way we started discover San Francisco's hill situation…really worked up a bit of an appetite! 

Brad had read about Mama's on a guide when doing some research online, and although we had been forewarned about lines…well…I didn't quite realise how bad it was. I mean, it was a Tuesday and at 1pm we figured most of the work lunch crowd would be wrapping up…we were so wrong.

 photo DSC_4464_zpsff063201.jpg

We faced a line that stretched around the cafe and back down a couple of buildings. I was in disbelief. Whilst neither of us would normally ever wait in a line like this in Melbourne, Yelp wasn't giving me many other options nearby and we didn't know where to go…so we thought we would brave the line.

 photo DSC_4470_zpsc1e73a66.jpg

 photo DSC_4469_zps8b5c819e.jpg

So the way the line at Mama's works is that you gotta wait right in front of the restaurant, where they tease you by having the top half of the door open, kinda like a stable (I can't think of what this type of door would otherwise be called), until there's enough space inside to join the queue at the counter to be in line to make your order. 

 photo DSC_4471_zps8213b930.jpg

 photo DSC_4474_zpsb0e8b66f.jpg

 photo DSC_4495_zps91a6bdb1.jpg

Peeking inside, Mama's is completely adorable, like your grandmother's house, but a heck of a lot more yellow. I adored the wood blade ceiling fans, and the original menu from when Mama's first opened in 1964. Think there was hardly anything over $1 back in the day…could you imagine?!

 photo DSC_4476_zps6f1b6b2e.jpg

Now once you make your order, there's still no guarantee that you'll have a table waiting for you either! Which meant after an hour and half, after watching the chefs churn out breakfast like no one's business and paying for our meal, Brad and I were evilly glaring at the table of Asian tourists who were just sitting around their table, not eating and playing with their tablets. Some of us are hungry yo. 

 photo DSC_4481_zpse732ec9d.jpg

 photo DSC_4493_zps748db675.jpg

Look, don't ask me how or why we stayed in the line that long. I thought Brad was keen to try it and he hardly ever suggests places to check out, and by the time we stuck it out for 20 minutes, it seemed like a shame to move on. So I entertained myself by yelling 'Yay! Exodus!' every time a couple of people left the cafe.

 photo DSC_4496_zpsf18f2cf2.jpg

So by the time we sat down in our table, we were both a bit quiet, and rather depleted of blood sugar, but fortunately tea and coffee showed up at our table quite promptly. I had to hold back a chuckle looking at Brad's 'latte'. What would a Melbourne barista say? The foam looked just terrible. But it was caffeine, and at that point anything would do.

 photo DSC_4510_zps0914d65c.jpg

Our food arrived promptly after, quickly crowding our tiny table with colourful, abundant happiness. Again, why did I order three things when I know American portions are ridiculous?

Oh right, we hadn't really had anything sustaining to eat for the past 6 hours. Right.

Mama's all day breakfast menu is broken down essentially into omelettes, eggs and french toast. We had it all covered.

 photo DSC_4506_zpsae4b68ce.jpg

 photo DSC_4515_zps6d190647.jpg

My 'S.O.B (South of Border)' was a fluffy, fluffy omelette wrapped around Spanish chorizo, black beans, homemade salsa and pepper jack cheese. Not so sexy when opened up, but yes, yes and yes it was delicious. I never realised I enjoyed beans so much, especially with cheese and a bit of kick from the chorizo. 

Also America, I still don't understand with your obsession with potatoes for breakfast. I don't.

 photo DSC_4505_zps27cac3e3.jpg

Brad's Huevos Rancheros came with two poached eggs, spanish rice, black beans and avocado with Ranchero sauce. I was too busy inhaling my omelette to really sample much of Brad's, but I quite liked the fluffy and tomato-y rice and the freshness of the salsa.

 photo DSC_4517_zpsb063108d.jpg

 photo DSC_4499_zps99b396e4.jpg

And although gluten is not always my best friend, I just had, had to try one of the french toast's. Had to right? Whilst the Kugelhopf did tempt sorely, I couldn't go past the chocolate cinnamon french toast with fresh seasonal berries and bananas, liberally piled on top like the prettiest red and blue bouquet I had ever seen. 

Also generously covered in chocolate sauce. 

Yes. Yes. Yes. Delicious. And fruit makes it healthy, no?

I'm still intrigued that french toast is such a big thing in the states, yet you'd be hard pressed to find somewhere in Melbourne, a city that I feel takes it's brunch scene much more seriously, that's well known for it. Intriguing isn't it?

Mama's was very tasty, and although I did enjoy the food, would I wait again? Hell no. Most Melbourne places would still do a much better brunch, but there's the history and character and charm that the little corner cafe has that the Melbourne joints don't have.

 photo DSC_4529_zpsa24305e2.jpg

Tummies filled we decided it'd be a clever idea to tackle walking up Russian Hill, which I believe is the steepest hill in San Francisco. Oh my calves! 

 photo DSC_4540_zpsb80d5b4f.jpg

I did find it absolutely fascinating though, can you imagine what it would have been like to try and build houses here? I was also very tempted to see if it was possible to tip cars. I mean, surely you were all thinking the same thing when you see the cars on an angle like that….

 photo DSC_4541_zps2b87928f.jpg

After the long hike up, you're rewarded with simply stellar views, accompanied with a cool breeze.

 photo DSC_4550_zpsf2cc8c13.jpg

 photo DSC_4563_zps6dd882f0.jpg

A few blocks over, and you'll come across Lombard Street, which is famous for being zig-zaggy and incredibly beautiful with well tended flower beds in full bloom. It's hilarious watching the cars peek in and out of the flowers as they very, very, very slowly wind their way down the hill. Great if you're a tourist, sucks to be a local!

 photo IMG_9072_zpsfdf0322d.jpg

Rather than walk all the way back into town, I thought it might be fun to catch one of the cable cars down the hill. The one we flagged down had the funniest conductor and driver pair I had come across, the jovial pair sounded like a pair of cops in a comedy film!

There's a few cable cars you can catch, two of them go through Powell Street, and then split off to go up Hyde or Mason, and another goes across town, East to West (and back) along California Street. It's $12 per person, which is frankly a little steep, but as a tourist, you gotta do it right?

 photo DSC_4579_zps625efcf2.jpg

Unfortunately our cable car was having issues with it's grip, so after paying and squeezing onto the cable car (there's a good chance you won't get on if they can't find space for you!), we had to wait at the next stop to get a truck to push us down the hill and then again at the next stop, where they had to call someone to bring over a new grip to fix it. I was half worried we weren't going to get the full ride back, but I was very impressed with how quickly and efficiently help and services arrived (metro could learn a thing or two hey?)

 photo DSC_4586_zps557b167e.jpg

And it was also absolutely fascinating to watch how they changed the grip out. Quite a lot of swinging involved surprisingly!

 photo DSC_4597_zps7bc83abd.jpg

A short break back in our apartment, then it was off to AT&T park to watch us some baseball! 

Unlike Alcatraz, you can book tickets for the baseball just a few days beforehand, like we did, at surprisingly reasonable prices. Although the official website might be out of tickets, there are plenty of legitimate sites that sell pre-bought tickets as well, Brad got our tickets for about $25 a piece from Stub Hub

 photo DSC_4600_zps7f66841f.jpg

We were watching the San Francisco Giants play the San Diego Padres and it was all good fun watching and listening everyone get into it. Whilst I have a rough understanding of how baseball is played I kept poking Brad throughout to explain things to me and kept getting lost on what innings were, and why isn't he out yet, and is that a foul, and why are they taking so long?

I make a great sports girlfriend. A great one. 

It did kind of surprise me how slow the game was to watch, as there's really not as much running as you see in the movies, but a heck of a lot more strikes! We at least got a few home runs though.

One thing we also weren't prepared for was how cold it got towards the end of the night! Even though we were both bundled up in jumpers and leather jackets, an extra blanket thrown over (like a lot of the other attendees had) would have been awesome.

So I was quite pleased when he headed away from the game for a bit to find sustenance. Warm warm sustenance. I was pretty impressed at the variety of food one could order, as we walked by stand after stand trying to decide what to eat.

 photo IMG_9088_zps7e1f5e27.jpg

At the end of the day though, you must simply have garlic fries. Must. And make sure your partner has some too so you don't unwittingly take them out with garlic breath. That garlicky. 

 photo IMG_9090_zps639ef984.jpg

And also a clam chowder for me, and a hot dog with the everything. 

 photo DSC_4610_zpsdc5f7fc1.jpg


The game lasted quite a while, we didn't leave until just past 10pm (or possibly even later) with the hoards of people from the stadium. Tell you what though, it was a relief to hit the bed after all the walking and the early start…as we were facing yet another one the next day…to Napa Valley…! 

1701 Stockton Street
San Francisco
CA 94133

Mama's on Washington Square on Urbanspoon

5 comments:

  1. I left my heart in san fran! Oh love your photos and how awesome are the garlic fries there? We had them at Candlestick park whilst watching a NFL game and it was just out of this world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, just too good! I was salivating away while writing this post just thinking about them. Good times! :)

      Delete
  2. Loving your San Fran posts! I have done the Alcatraz tour twice now, and would do it again in a heartbeat, one of the best tours ever. I saw my first baseball game at AT&T earlier this year, was fun and I enjoyed it, still wishing we had garlic fried though!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I've mentioned before how much I love that your posts are so logistically informative as well as being full of gorgeous photos and fabulous food!!

    Poor Brad ... that latte looks like it's come out of an automated pod machine :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great information! Excellent writing. I am sure I will visit this site again soon.
    I have some relevant information you can review below.
    San Francisco Yosemite tour

    ReplyDelete