San Francisco’s Top 10 : Fisherman’s Wharf

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A certain aura of authenticity still clings to San
Francisco’s old wharf area, but you’ll have to look closely to find the
historic details – mostly, it has been overwhelmed by tourism.
Nevertheless, it’s fun to get a walk away crab cocktail and a chunk of
sourdough bread, and to sidestep the crowds to check out the few
remaining fishing boats that still haul in their daily bounty. And after
all, what’s so bad about taking home a few San Francisco souvenirs?

Anchorage Shopping Center

USS Pampanito

  • Pier 45 Jefferson St

  • 415 775 1943


  • www.maritime.org

  • Open summer: 9am–8pm daily, 9am–6pm Sun; winter: 9am–6pm Mon–Thu, 9am–8pm Fri–Sat

  • Adm $9

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

  • 175 Jefferson St

  • 415 771 6188


  • www.ripleysf.com

  • Open mid-Jun–Labor Day: 9am–11pm Sun–Thu, 9am–midnight Fri–Sat; rest of year: 10am–10pm Sun–Thu, 10am–midnight Fri–Sat

Wax Museum

  • 145 Jefferson St

  • 1 800 439 4305

  • 415 202 0402

  • Open 10am–9pm daily

Aquarium of the Bay

  • Embarcadero

  • 1 888 SEA DIVE

  • Open summer: 9am–8pm daily; winter: 10am–6pm Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm Sat–Sun

  • Adm


The Port of San Francisco

In 1853 the first wharf was
built here, and it quickly became a center for maritime-related
enterprise, including shipbuilding, and fresh seafood joints. Italians
soon monopolized almost every aspect of the fishing industry – even
today, most of the eateries along the Wharf bear Italian names. With
technology, however, the Bay was fished-out by the 1950s, and any
big-time fishing industry went out of business or moved elsewhere.




Plan of Fisherman’s Wharf





Fisherman’s Wharf sign

Try one of the Wharf’s oldest institutions, Scoma’s (

Pier 47 & Alcona Way


Don’t miss the pod of wild sea lions that lounge around the docks just to the west of Pier 39.


Top 10 Sights

  1. Ghirardelli Square

    The Ghirardelli family ran a chocolate factory here from 1859 to 1962. The site is now home to upscale shops and eateries .




  2. Anchorage Shopping Center

    In the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, with plenty of stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

  3. The Cannery

    Built
    as a warehouse in 1907, a makeover was completed in 1967, and it’s now
    the site of some appealing boutiques, as well as tourist shops.

  4. Pier 39

    Built
    over a disused pier, this 1978 commercial venture became an instant
    success for promoting tourism in the wharf area. Two floors of shops and
    eateries, with a large central promenade complete with an antique
    Venetian carousel, keep drawing in the crowds.




  5. USS Pampanito

    This
    vintage submarine sank six enemy ships and damaged four others in World
    War II. You can tour its interior and get an idea of what life was like
    for the crew.




  6. Fisherman’s and Seaman’s Memorial Chapel

    This little wooden chapel was built in 1980 as an interfaith memorial to all those who make and have made their living at sea.

  7. Fish Alley

    This
    alley is possibly the last vestige of the authentic, workaday wharf.
    Here you can see fishing boats come in and watch as the catch of the day
    is landed and prepared for market.




  8. Aquarium of the Bay

    The
    aquarium’s transparent tunnel visually immerses you in the San
    Francisco Bay marine habitat, where thousands of members of diverse
    ocean fauna disport themselves before your eyes. Video presentations and
    marine specialists help you understand what you’re seeing.

  9. Boudin Bakery

    This
    is the home of the famous chain of San Francisco sourdough bread
    makers. Stop by to try the distinctive crusty round loaf, best enjoyed
    warm from the oven with plenty of butter.

  10. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! and Wax Museum

    These
    two fun-zone denizens – found as “attractions” around the world – are a
    give-away that these blocks of Jefferson Street are pure tourist trap.