The Edge of the World

(SF Chronicle 2010 photo)

One block from Camelot Fish and Chips is a street that made the national news three years ago.

Winter storms had eroded the foundations of buildings on Esplanade Avenue, and apartments were in danger of toppling down the cliffs into the Pacific Ocean. The buildings were evacuated and destroyed, and efforts have been continuing to defend other structures on Esplanade.

Sunset at Esplanade Beach, Pacifica

It may seem futile to battle nature, but New Orleans is being rebuilt after Katrina, and dikes have kept the North Sea from flooding Holland for over a thousand years. As baby boomers who are approaching retirement under Social Security, we don't need a thousand years, just 20 more perhaps to continue munching peaceably on fish and chips at the edge of the world.

Camelot Fish and Chips, Pacifica

Despite living on the Peninsula for over 30 years, we had never ventured into Camelot Fish and Chips. Because an errand gave us an opportunity to kill a few hours in Pacifica, we stopped at the 44-year-old-establishment.

The walls were covered with emblems of England. We sat beneath the album cover of A Hard Day's Night and surveyed the rules of cricket. A figurine of Henry VIII stared haughtily from the opposite wall.

The fish and chips were excellent. Other members of our party favorited (hey, that's a verb now) the crab cakes and shrimp. The seafood and potatoes were deep fried to a crisp, moist perfection; the cook said the potatoes took the longest to cook and were the hardest to get right.

Half-way through the meal we were full. We didn't leave any leftovers, but our actions had nothing to do with the clean-your-plate admonishment from our parents. We really must get to the coast more often. © 2013 Stephen Yuen