How to Entertain a 7th Grader in San Francisco

"So.. did you come up with anything yet?"
"Umm... not yet. Still working on it."
This was my response out loud, but in my head, I was thinking, "Give him another few minutes and he'll forget about it all together."
A few minutes later: "Did you think of anything yet?"
After about an hour of this exchange repeating itself a dozen or so times, it was time to give in.
Devon, son of Ashe's cousin Maryalice, was on the hunt for some fun in the city. They were in town for a week before a family wedding and 'The Devonator' had high hopes for his day of entertainment in the city. He would not be satisfied until his team of consultants (the rest of us) came up with that perfect activity for an afternoon out in S.F.
We racked our brains, trying to think of interesting and unique things to do in San Francisco. All we could think of were walks and sights that would be interesting for adults, not 12 year-olds. Granted, Devon is quite mature for his age, but still, an activity he would really enjoy would probably be one we hadn't done before.
Finally, a quick websearch brought up a possible candidate: a visit to the Musee Mecanique. This museum contains the word's largest private collection of antique arcade machines and this doesn't mean machines from the '70s and '80s. In the museum are penny machines made entirely of wood and metal, relics from the turn of the 20th century. Many are mechanical marvels that were salvaged from the Sutro Baths and Cliff House restaurant.
The best part of this museum is that the machines are not just on display. Instead, it is expected that visitors arrive with quarters in hand, ready to try out games that were first played a century ago.
Rai, you were a bit young still to try out the interactive games but plenty of the games required only that you put a coin into the slot, stand back, and watch the show put on by the mechanized figures and contraptions behind the glass of the machine. Your Mom showed us all the machines that were her favorites when she was young and the museum was housed by the Cliff House just down the street.
Today, the museum is at Pier 45 at Fisherman's Wharf, a perfect location for the Devonator whe enjoyed the many other distractions there besides the Musee Mecanique itself. We were reminded that although touristy, tacky and crowded, this part of town is perfect for the young at heart. Boats, seals, games and milkshakes -- enough to please any 7th grader out there.