826 Valencia

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  • Address
    826 Valencia St, The Mission
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  • Phone
    415 642 5905
  • Website
  • Transport
    bus: 14, 26, 33, 49

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Lonely Planet review

'No buccaneers! No geriatrics!' warns the sign above the vat of sand where kids gleefully rummage for buried pirate's booty. The treasures are theirs for the taking, if they offer to barter for it at the front counter - a song, perhaps, or a knock-knock joke.

This eccentric nonprofit Pirate Supply Store selling eye patches, spyglasses and literary magazines is the front for McSweeney's independent publishing venture and youth literary workshops, plus the occasional adult program on starting a magazine and scripting video games (check website for listings). Ask at the front counter if you can feed bug-eyed puffer fish King Karl, who you might consider a greedy gobbler if not for the sign by the Fish Theater: Please don't judge the fish.