Fisherman's Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Fisherman\'s Wharf showing marine life and a marina as well as a small group of people
Taste some of the city’s freshest sea food and catch some fabulous views in this waterfront neighbourhood dating back to the time of the gold rush.

This historic wharf was founded in the mid-1800s. For generations, Chinese and then Italian immigrants pulled fish and seafood from the ocean here, selling their catch in small stands along the wharf. Today, these craftsmen are long gone, but the lively atmosphere of the wharf still remains.

Fisherman’s Wharf is now a buzzing shopping and entertainment hub offering fabulous harbour views. During the day, it’s full to bursting with street performers, magicians, musicians, jugglers and fire eaters all vying to entertain. At night, the fun goes on with an offering of live music, theatre and side-splitting comedy. This perpetual spectacle extends from Ghirardelli Square at the wharf’s west end to Pier 39 at the east end, with its vocal and entertaining sea lions, who live on floating wooden platforms beside the pier for most of the year.

Enjoy some old-fashioned fun at the Musée Mécanique, an interactive collection of mechanical machines and penny arcades. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum is the place to visit with over 400 oddities and unusual exhibits to explore.

This is also a real food lover’s haven, with seafood stalls selling steaming cauldrons of tasty clam chowder, fresh Dungeness crab served piping hot and other delicacies, all accompanied by the delicious smell of freshly baking sourdough bread to tempt your taste buds. The wharf also boasts some of the world’s finest upmarket seafood restaurants. If fish isn’t your thing, you can also find an array of sumptuous Italian and Chinese restaurants and an eclectic mix of international cuisine. Many restaurants offer a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of this lively wharf, as well as beautiful views over the ocean.

The best way to get to the wharf is by public transport or on foot. There is parking available but it’s pretty expensive. Alternatively, take one of the famous cable cars on the Powell/Mason cable car line, complete with rattles and clangs, which will drop you a couple of blocks south of Fisherman’s wharf.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Fisherman's Wharf Hotel Deals

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$242 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$242
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,190 reviews)
"Breakfast was great!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
1300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$262 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$262
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,492 reviews)
"Staff was very helpful and always available. Loved the pool table area!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
4 out of 5
555 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$286 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
NZ$286
per night
19 Apr - 20 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,417 reviews)
"We recently stayed here for my kids's spring break. It was close to everything near Fisherman's Wharf and elsewhere. If we couldn't walk it, we could Uber inexpensively. I suggest you prepay for the breakfast buffer if you can. It's a real deal. Staff was very friendly and accomodating. The only ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
4 out of 5
250 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$330 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
NZ$330
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,411 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 29 Mar. 2024

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
425 North Point, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$272 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$272
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"Nice hotel walking distance to pier 39"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
550 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$248 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
NZ$248
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,567 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, clean rooms, and tasty breakfast."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Fisherman's Wharf

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Russian Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Lombard Street.

Russian Hill
North Beach which includes skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Chinatown showing street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(20 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. Chinatown Alleyways is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Chinatown
Marina District which includes heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Marina District

4/5(76 area reviews)

The beautiful waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Marina District. Make a stop by Presidio of San Francisco or San Francisco Bay while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Cow Hollow featuring signage and street scenes

Cow Hollow

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants a bustling marina and top sights from Union Street to Van Ness Avenue – discover Cow Hollow, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Cow Hollow


Fisherman's Wharf Travel Guide

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