Fisherman's Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Fisherman\'s Wharf showing a bay or harbour
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman\'s Wharf which includes a bay or harbour
Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring a fountain
Fisherman's Wharf

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$290 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$290
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,641 reviews)
"We've stayed multiple times at this hotel and our only complaints would be the front receptionists were not very helpful or accommodating with simple requests and the price of parking is absolutely ridiculous and will keep us from staying there again. Additionally having to pay extra for our two ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

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$363 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
NZ$363
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,697 reviews)
"I didnt like that the room didnt have a mini fridge"

Reviewed on 25 Jul. 2025

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

4.5 out of 5
2700 JONES STREET, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$396 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$396
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,482 reviews)
A great location
"The most comfortable beds and bedding ever- so impressed. Location great for exploring Fisherman’s Wharf area. Nice touches, free coffee in the morning until 10am, borrow a plant to keep you happy, record player in room- with record library, between 5-6 pm free wine/ beer in the lobby lounge which ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jul. 2025

Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf by IHG
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
425 North Point, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$340 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$340
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,391 reviews)
Nice hotel, close to the Wharf & Cruise port
"Hotel was clean, concierge was helpful in helping us with luggage holding till our check-in time. My son enjoyed the free smores. We enjoyed dining in the restaurant. We had a window view of the Waymo parking lot, which our teenage son really liked watching the robot cars come and go from their parking ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

Hotel Zoe 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$349 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
NZ$349
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,374 reviews)
"Excellent room quality and owner was very friendly and offered great dining suggestions nearby! Great service, I would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

3 out of 5
2620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$297 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$297
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,017 reviews)
"Noisy rooms with very little double glazing. Good location for trolley cars, but fisherman’s wharf now dated and tired."

Reviewed on 25 Jul. 2025

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco
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

Default Image

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 Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
North Beach showing 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 which includes a city and street scenes

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 which includes street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(20 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. Dragon's Gate 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 featuring 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 San Francisco Bay or Chestnut Street while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Cow Hollow showing 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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