Friday 6 February 2026
After bus tour yesterday, we headed out on a self-guided walkabout today. Since we were berthed at Pier 27, we were in a very convenient location for running a few errands and then exploring along the waterfront. We popped over to The UPS Store and shipped some cold weather clothing back home, opening up some suitcase space for souvenirs. Next stop was a Walgreens to get some personal care items while we’re still able to shop in familiar territory. Lastly we visited Chase for a little more cash for our wallets. There we paused for a bit to plan the next moves and had a lovely visit with someone who immediately signed up as a subscriber to this blog! From there we headed down Van Ness Avenue toward the waterfront. Yesterday Jacob, an SF native, had told us that it’s crab season and suggested a seafood restaurant frequented by locals as well as visitors, so as we walked we made an online reservation for lunch at Scoma’s . Our path took us along the waterfront along a portion of the Bay Trail and past the Maritime Museum. Soon we were ensconced in this San Francisco landmark savoring the creamiest clam chowder we’ve had in decades as well as an amazing Crab Louie Salad. With happy tummies we then walked past Fisherman’s Wharf. It was fun trying to remember the restaurant there where we lunched in September 1973 but did not find ourselves lured in either there or at Pier 39, a location we visited in 2008 but which wasn’t even a thing yet during our 1973 visit. We did pop into Boudin Bakery for some sourdough made with a starter that dates back to the 1849 Gold Rush and took it back to the ship to enjoy with our afternoon tea. As we walked we enjoyed the excitement of the area including a street performance by the Vacaville High School Band Drum Corps and other activities inspired by the Super Bowl game in two days. Back on board we had a quiet dinner, missing Calvin & Eleanor with whom we’d shared delightful conversation for the last eighteen days but they are now on their way home to Texas as we prepare to head to Hawaii. And this evening’s performance of “Island Girl” by Barrie Kealoha was a taste of her native culture of Hawaii, the next stop after we sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
awesome!