This is surprisingly fun, although in a creepy way. From Laughing Sal (a gigantic weirdly dressed woman who laughs uncontrollably) to the strange little scenes (especially the guillotine and... More

This is surprisingly fun, although in a creepy way. From Laughing Sal (a gigantic weirdly dressed woman who laughs uncontrollably) to the strange little scenes (especially the guillotine and hanging vignettes) this is truly unusual and not to be missed. After a few quarters, the silliness of it all leads to laughing out loud. There is one little scene that is called, I think, "End of the Road" that is so lame that we still recall it and laugh. Every time we are in the Fisherman's Wharf area, we have to go here and drop a few quarters- and we never regret it. Seriously, these machines are very well mantained and historically interesting. Pros: well maintained, very interesting, easy parking, close to other attractions
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This is a really cool, old fashioned Penny arcade, with antique coin operated machines that can be 100 years old or more. They have be made to accept quarters now, so you can play with the same... More

This is a really cool, old fashioned Penny arcade, with antique coin operated machines that can be 100 years old or more. They have be made to accept quarters now, so you can play with the same machines your grandparents used as kids! From the crazy gypsy lady that tells your fortune, to making an old time farm (behind glass) come to life, put a coin in and watch the fun! They also have several pressed penny machines, where you can squash a penny into a souvenir of your visit! Located right on Fisherman's Wharf.
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Stumbled across this bizarre museum during a break from a conference and couldn't believe my eyes. If you're as phobic about clowns, scary puppets and eerie little vignettes as I am, enter at your... More

Stumbled across this bizarre museum during a break from a conference and couldn't believe my eyes. If you're as phobic about clowns, scary puppets and eerie little vignettes as I am, enter at your own risk--but bring plenty of quarters so you can disturb your peace of mind at will. For a full-on freakish experience, check out the "The Opium Den", but watch out for the dragon! Pros: Free admission, close to lots of other attractions, truly unique experience Cons: A little dark and scary; some unsavory types hanging around
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I never knew about this place until one day when my family and I were walking around pier 39 and we walked into this place, Musee Macanique. (The place isnt on pier 39, its actually on pier 45.)... More

I never knew about this place until one day when my family and I were walking around pier 39 and we walked into this place, Musee Macanique. (The place isnt on pier 39, its actually on pier 45.) This is so much fun. Its a hige room of really old arcade games. This things are really old and old fashioned, its the stuff that you see in old movies. And here you can actually play with it and expereince it for yourself, its not just a museum where there is no touch or you get kicked out. People are always in here because its is such a unuque way of spending time. You put in a quarter or two and have a lot of fun. There are all kinds of games: things with bicycles, magicians, shock, strength, horses. Really go here. It will take you about an hour. And also the good thing is that all of these food places are right next to it. Yummy, clam chowder in a bread bowl!
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Musee Mechanique has since relocated to Pier 45, but I visited way back when it was located near the Cliff House. The museum has an eclectic collection of vintage coin-operated mechanical games. ... More

Musee Mechanique has since relocated to Pier 45, but I visited way back when it was located near the Cliff House. The museum has an eclectic collection of vintage coin-operated mechanical games. Its definitely a blast from the past and you can spend a couple of good hours just figuring out how to work some of the machines. A neat and fun place to visit.
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This place is really cool, it used to be located at the Cliff House on Ocean Beach, before some idiot decided to move it and put some boring exhibit there instead. Now it's located on Pier 45 in... More

This place is really cool, it used to be located at the Cliff House on Ocean Beach, before some idiot decided to move it and put some boring exhibit there instead. Now it's located on Pier 45 in Fishermans' Wharf. This place is really unique and cool. Admission is free. The museum has is one of the largest collections of Antique coin-operated mechanical toys in the world, with over 160 mechanical toy machines and musical instruments going back to the 1880's, including the famous scary lifesized, Laughing Lady from Playland. It's basically a Penny Arcade and the cool thing is that you can operate all of the toys yourself by putting in 25-50 cents. So these are not just some dusty museum displays that you can't touch. In addition there are a wide array of different eclectic coin operated mechanical fourtune telling machines. It's a really cool place and you don't end up spending that much because other people all around you, are putting in the coins too. The only bad thing is the parking, of which there isn't
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This is one of the greatest. Everyone I have taken has had great fun and always comes away laughing and in good humour the rest of the day, at least. My children still talk about our many trips... More

This is one of the greatest. Everyone I have taken has had great fun and always comes away laughing and in good humour the rest of the day, at least. My children still talk about our many trips there. Pros: Educational, Inexpensive, FUN Cons: Parking
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This place has everything mechanical you could hope to find from old amusement parks and carnivals. Make sure everyone with you has their own quarter roll.

This place has everything mechanical you could hope to find from old amusement parks and carnivals. Make sure everyone with you has their own quarter roll.
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After playing the simulations on computer, it's great to see the real thing! The staff of this place takes loving care of all the old machines. It's going to be in a temporary home for awhile and... More

After playing the simulations on computer, it's great to see the real thing! The staff of this place takes loving care of all the old machines. It's going to be in a temporary home for awhile and won't have the charm of when it was at the cliff house but the museum should still be a must-see
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I remember when they also used to have a location over in Tiburon, right by the fairy dock -- but that's been closed for years. It's amusing to take kids here and see their reactions to the games... More

I remember when they also used to have a location over in Tiburon, right by the fairy dock -- but that's been closed for years. It's amusing to take kids here and see their reactions to the games from the old days -- and compare them to the arcades of the present. And, for us older folks, we get a chance to re-live out youth. Pros: A bit of history Cons: Aging games
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