The Train Trip - Day 3

Today was all about Fisherman's Wharf, and, the holy grail, Ghirardelli Square! Having decided to surprise them as a plan with Papa, I woke the girls a bit early, and took the three of us for manicures at the in-house Salon: "Bliss". After our nails were done (and Natalie, one of our delightful attendants, had fixed the one I jacked up while trying to pay!), we headed back to our room, and woke up the Boys. We were a bit slow to get moving, and there were a couple of cranky incidents, but we got out the door reasonably early, and headed for the Visitor's Center. We stopped on the way for a hot drink and a dab of free Wi-Fi at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and then found the street vendor we had missed the day before, and bought Raven's kitty hat. We hit the Visitor's Center next, and found EVERYTHING we need to navigate the City during our stay here! Maps, guidebooks, schedules, and all of it complimentary! We are digging SF!!! I was able to purchase transportation passes good for unlimited use on all public transportation options (bus, subway, cable cars, and trolleys) for the entire time we are here.
Getting on a trolley to head down to Fisherman's Wharf proved a bit tricky at first, it's pretty dog-eat-dog when it comes to--literally--grabbing a spot on one, and we missed two while figuring out the local system. Third time's the charm, though, and we elbowed and pushed our way on to the third one successfully.
Riding the trolley was interesting, uncomfortable, and kind-of laborious, frankly. We got where we were headed ultimately, though, and that was the goal!
We meandered through the vendors and shops, and looked into the tourist-y tours and attractions (way too expensive for this trip, unfortunately) and finally made it to Fisherman's Wharf, proper, after an hour or so.
Sadly, the Wharf was a bit anti-climactic for the kids. It smells of fish, is very crowded, is all about seafood (no one eats fish but me), and is VERY expensive. We did see the Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and we all were fascinated by the amazing people and feats preserved there, but the Holy Grail of Ghirardelli awaited, and was what got them through a VERY chill and windy walk along the Wharf to The Square.
Ghirardelli was everything everyone hoped it would be, and delivered on it's promise of chocolate beyond the dreams of all the kids! We purchased delectable treats to take home, and set out looking for a nice= sit-down restaurant for dinner. I had hoped to enjoy sundaes at Ghirardelli Square as part of our visit, but it was just too cold this time around. We may try to go back before we leave, we'll see.
We found a place to eat called "The Pub BBQ at Ghirardelli Square" and had an absolutely DELICIOUS meal. Full and happy we headed back to the trolley stop, and waited-semi-patiently for a trolley to get a back to the hotel. The boys were able to achieve their goal of riding on the outside of the Trolley car--holding on like an old Rice-A-Roni commercial--all the way to the hotel!
We picked up a couple of movies at the Welcome Desk on our way back up to our room, and then settled in to watch a movie and eat Ghirardelli chocolate before bed! Goodnight!