Friday Playdate » Blog Archive » I will be wearing my I SURVIVED ALCATRAZ t-shirt

Chris and I have started planning our trip to San Francisco, you know, now that it’s three weeks away. Oh sure we have our plane tickets (we both leave at the crack of dawn on Sunday to come home, which should be fun fun fun) and a hotel room (with ONE DOUBLE BED — thank god Chris is a wee little sparrow) but we have no real plans for our time in SF.

Oh sure there’s that conference, but since we’re going to be there for two extra days we thought we might want to see the city a little.

Also, shh don’t tell our husbands — they think we are working the WHOLE TIME. Suckers.

The only thing we have planned so far is a trip to Alcatraz, because who doesn’t want to see a prison? We’re hoping it will give us some ideas for things to do with the kids on those days when everyone is on our last nerve.

Anyway, this morning the very lovely Amy Hatch emailed me to let me know that a piece she interviewed me for lo these many months ago was finally up at Travel|Muse. Amy asked me for tips for shopping on vacation, and honest to god I had no memory of what I had said. Fortunately, she’s a great writer and very very funny, and she makes me look really good (thanks Amy!). She also made me laugh, with this paraphrase of my Very Wise Advice: “Choose your ’souvenirs’ wisely to maximize your budget, she adds, and avoid the dreaded ‘I Went to Alcatraz and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt’ syndrome.”

I may have to buy one of those t-shirts now. Or at least send one to Amy.

You can read the full interview here.

12 Comments so far

Lady, I have been three times to Alcatraz and I LOVED it. Every time. The tour is very well done and there is a fab’ gift shop.

Alcatraz is very, very cool. Spooky, chilly, but very interesting. Take pictures to back up your threats with Charlie and Henry.

My hubby just flew all the way out there to do the escape fro Alcatraz triathlon, where he woke at an ungodly hour, donned a wetsuit, got on a boat that dumped him out by the island, swam back to the mainland, then did some running and biking. His advice is DON’T fall in- water is COLD and the current is fast.

See you at the MTG!

You are too, too kind. I personally LOVED Alcatraz - it was a blast! I hope you have wonderful trips and thank you again for being such a great shopping expert.

Safe travels!

Thanks so much for including a link to TravelMuse (I’m the editorial director for the site), and thanks too for being a great source for Amy. She’s one of my star contributors and I’m a fan of anyone who helps her with her column for me.

I’m afraid we aren’t running our San Francisco issue until early September, after your visit, but if you want any travel tips before you go (especially if it comes to shopping and dining–two of my favorite past times), drop me an e-mail and I’ll send along my favorite picks.

p.s. Alcatraz is totally worth the visit.

I live in Cali and have recently compiled lots of ways to see SF as a “tourist” for a gf of mine who is going there for her honeymoon. Feel free to e-mail me for lots of cool ideas!

Both times I’ve been to SF I only took the boat tour. Now I wish I’d gone seeing as everyone else likes is.

You can buy those Alcatraz t-shirts everywhere. Best of luck on whittling down your shopping choices.

p.s. I’m staying 2 extra days, too. With my daughter. Yippee.

I recommend bringing warm clothes with you when you go to Alcatraz. We were dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and the lovely fog came in. It dropped about 20 degrees and it was freezing. Also, beware of the waves if you stand on the outside decks of the boat. A bunch of people got soaked from a huge wave on the way to the island.

Henry and Charlie are so lucky!! My 14 year old stepdaughter used to love the things we planned for her … and generally, no matter what we do, loves being around her geezer parents! Love it while you can

I’m getting to SF on the Tuesday, so lots of sightseeing before the conference. Alcatraz for sure, but I have no idea why. It’s in all the guidebooks but I don’t get it.
This post has me all excited for SF!

I’ll remind you of the words of Mark Twain “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” May or may not really be Twain’s words but I wholeheartly agree with the sentiments. My children refused to take long pants because it was August here (100 degrees, Mom! Gah!) We ended up buying polar fleece on the pier.

A lurker here but I read often…

I read several blogs and today’s post on one of them is a great local guide to things in SF. I thought you might be interested.

You may perhaps already read his blog but just in case you don’t, be sure to check out his local guide to SF.

mikeadamick.com

Hope you have a great time!

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