Angel Island & San Francisco

Another last minute event with stops at Denny’s, Pier 39, Tiburon/Sausalito , Angel Island and Milpitas.

The morning started with breakfast at Denny’s just because it was a bit early and the Asian places we wanted to go to has not yet open. The grand slam was ordered along with some coffee and pancake puppies. I like their pancake puppies. It’s like a cross between pancakes and cinnamon donuts. Hot and crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. YUM!

The next destination, San Francisco. Still haven’t decide what we plan to do this time around just because we have been there so many times. We landed along the Embarcadero Drive and ended up in Pier 39 (like always). The weather today was absolutely gorgeous with highs at 77 degrees and no fog which offered us incredible views. So after a little bit of discussion we decided to take the ferry to Angel Island. It cost $15 per person for round-trip. Never been there but heard it on the news here and there. However the ferry doesn’t depart until 1 P.M. so there was plenty of time to hang out and enjoy Pier 39.

Interestingly the San Francisco Bath Salt Company had a flagship store on the pier. Basically you choose a bottle then fill it from their large selection of bath salts. The colors are so beautiful and the smell was wonderful. Oh and they had a special of buy 2 get 1 free. Too bad I was not in the mood to purchase any. Perhaps another time?

The NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) had just docked a couple of piers down because there were a lot of traffic along Embarcadero as passengers were loading or waiting for a taxi cab. This cruise ship was HUGE! I wonder where those people came from.. hmmm..

Then we visited more shops at the piers and it was almost time to board the ferry to Angel Island. Headed back to Terminal 41 and look what we encountered. WOW! I’ve seen these sea lions there before but D-A-N-G this is A LOT!

And look at these guys don’t you think they have manners LOL all nice in line.

Walked a bit further out and we spotted these two and one posing very cute for viewers.
What a SHOW OFF! LOL

Our ferry arrived at Terminal 41 promptly. Here are some pictures from aboard the Blue & Gold Fleet.

Once we got off at Angel Island we headed straight to where the food was. LOL The time was 1.45pm and since we had a very early breakfast at Denny’s I was starving. This was our lunch. A cold turkey sandwich and their hot sandwich special with a side of potato salad. Add two cans of coke and the total came to $19.01. Expensive! But it was the only cafe there on the island. Didn’t like the salad so that went to the trash.

Then it was time to walk if off. Look who I met up close and personal.
Reminds me of BAMBI. Relaxing peacefully.

Then there’s this one, looks like he’s up to no good.

Can you tell that these are fake? LOL Yup! They were displayed at the once Immigration Building at Ayala Cove. I read into the history of this place and it says that the place was once used military base and the site of two government facilities (Quarantine and Immigration Stations) for nearly 100 years. Immigrants suspected of carrying diseases could be kept in isolation at the station. OMG it just sound so scary, like in the movies.

After we finished touring it was time to sit down, relaxed and enjoyed the view of the bay while waiting for our ferry to arrive. Straight in the background is the Richmond Bridge.

The ferry came around 3.30 P.M. and took us back to San Francisco where we got into our cars and headed back home.

We could of had dinner in San Francisco but parking is just a hassle there and not to mention rush hour traffic. Instead we opt to have dinner at the Shanghai Ding Sheng Restaurant at the Ulferts Center in Milpitas, CA.

Delicious Manila Clams in Black Bean Sauce. The sauce was very good although a bit pricey at $10.95. So little too like maybe a pound worth? Some were empty shells so we literally suck them down. LOL

I also ordered my favorite Spicy Chicken with Hot Peppers served in a basket. So be alarmed by the amount of hot peppers used. They are nothing, seriously. Like it probably take 10-15 of these peppers to get that hot and spicy effect of 1 bird’s eye chili. They served them with some peanuts to ease your tongue just in case you think it’s spicy. I was craving for the Crispy Fried Szechuan Chicken using the peppercorns but they don’t do it here. So this was the next closest thing.

All these were enjoyed with steamed rice. Dessert was on the house. I thought it was cold and googly almost burned my mouth LOL. I don’t know what it’s called but it’s like some sort of sweet egg drop with soft tapioca pearls.

My first day of October 2009 came to an end. 
Now I leave you with these beautiful flowers that i snapped while in San Francisco.