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$316 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$316
6 July - 7 July
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! (6,525 reviews)
"Clean, comfortable, and generally spacious rooms. Walkable to Fisherman's Wharf attractions. Expensive parking available. The unavoidable "resort" fee for what is hardly a resort. Overall, par for the course in such a touristy area. Two notes about the otherwise great room: bathroom is very small ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 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$351 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$351
6 July - 7 July
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! (3,627 reviews)
Meh
"We've stayed here multiple times. This was my least favorite stay, unfortunately. Staff were indifferent and seemed less than interested in our having a pleasant experience. And i truly thought i purchased the parking when i booked so was less than thrilled about the additional $60/day. When i mentioned ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
425 North Point, San Francisco, CA
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! (1,326 reviews)
"Property was walking distance of many tourist area. Breakfast was good"

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
4 out of 5
250 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$259 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$259
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,071 reviews)
"Checked in late due to a long drive on the road, front desk staff was not so welcoming...no smile, no greeting, was very serious, even though my family and I were tired we tried to have alight moment with the staff, but nothing. I get it, the staff could have been tired and going thru something, ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
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$442 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$442
7 July - 8 July
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! (1,450 reviews)
"Excellent hotel! Staff were nice and helpful! The happy hour was excellent. The complimentary coffee and tea was nice each morning. Parking was easy, and the record player in the room was the best! I would highly recommend this hotel!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Kimpton Alton Fisherman's Wharf by IHG
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$394 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$394
6 July - 7 July
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! (1,355 reviews)
"This was in a great walkable location to most places. Felt very safe there. Pool was great although it was a big wind tunnel in the pool area and the hot tub could be much bigger. Rooms were spacious and beds were super comfortable."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf 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 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. 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 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 San Francisco Bay or Chestnut Street 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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