Between the Ferry Building and the Pampanito--not to mention Ghirardelli Square--along the Embarcadero or across town: a wonderful city. Catch a cool day and walk along the city shoreline to your hearts' content or cut northwest by way of Columbus, either way you do your mind and soul good. If you have the time and inclination head for the west coast of the peninsula--you won't be walking this leg of the trip--don't miss Ocean Beach and the Zoo. Some of the biggest Mud Turtles I ever saw....

As for the Bay Area, you could spend a few weeks given all the sights and sounds: Mt. Tam, Drake's Bay--Bodega Bay--Sebastopol--Sonoma--Petaluma--Angel Island. I'd roam the city and across the Golden Gate to the northwest, keeping to cooler times (climate change is really hitting) which, along with judicious planning, could make for any number of dynamite weeks in and around the area. As for brick & mortar hobby shops...I don't know, but they're sure to be around.

Never had trouble in Frisco--sure I've had to dust a few panhandlers off the womenfolk every now and then but it ain't all that difficult. I've often greased the skids with a few bucks here and there; generosity goes a long ways. Keep a fake wallet handy for the pickpockets though; I love leaving 'em with the Monopoly money. Never any real crime for us tho'; always a great time.

And did I mention the food ? Hallelujah, tie me to the kitchen chair; the food: Holy smokes...as I wrote--and I don't particularly enjoy large cities--a fabulous city, they don't get any better than Frisco.

RS