What To Do In Fishermans Wharf
Before I moved to North Beach, I viewed Fisherman's Wharf as a tourist trap of sorts, but now that it's within walking distance to me, I've been able to explore it more and find what I consider all the good parts of it!
Here are some of my favorite parts of the Fisherman's Wharf and where I'd take friends and out- of-towners alike:
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Also, check out:
Pier 39 Sea Lions
These adorable marine mammals took over Pier 39 in 1989 when an earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area. Residents were at first perturbed by the presence of so many of them, but after some time they became one of the neighborhood’s happy residents!
With a plentiful amount of food in the Bay Area for the sea lions to choose from and a naturally protected environment from predators - it’s no wonder why they chose to stay indefinitely. In November of 2009, the numbers swelled to over 1700! Currently, the numbers are a bit lower than that but the population comes and go due to weather and migration patterns.
Aquarium of the Bay
With a dazzling glass tunnel full of sea life, you can also see adorable sea otters, sharks, manta rays, jellyfish, moray eels, octopus, and many more. There is also a touch pool housing sharks, rays, sea stars, and skates.
Mirror Maze
Fitting the theme of San Francisco, this psychedelic experience is worth the $5 entry fee. There are quirky lights, music, and seemingly endless halls due to the mirrors.
You can usually get tickets for half off at Goldstar: Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, San Francisco, CA: Tickets, Schedule, Seating Charts | Goldstar
Musee Mecanique
This charming building houses a vast array of old time arcade games ranging from 20th century automata to vintage peep shows. Most of the machines are mechanically driven and take anywhere from 1 quarter to several to play. Admission is free, but bring dollars or quarters to see some of the machines in action.
Cable Car
Did you even go to San Francisco if you didn’t ride one of the iconic cable cars? To avoid this situation - make sure to ride either the Powell Hyde or Powell Mason line to or from Fishermans Wharf.
You'll get better views on the Powell-Hyde car, which include Lombard St, Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. You can board at Market & Powell if you want to take the car to Fisherman’s Wharf. To go from Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll board at Beach and Hyde.
The Powell-Mason route has good views too, just not as good as the Powell-Hyde route. You board from the same place on Market & Powell but to go back you’d board at Taylor and Bay St.
Photo Tip: at Taylor & Francisco St, there are usually many empty cable cars in line that you can get on and take photos with for free.
Visit Alcatraz
One of the most interesting historical gems of San Francisco - this former prison used to house some of America’s most notorious criminals such as Al Capone, James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, and Machine Gun Kelly.
Some of the highlights of the tour include the solitary confinement cells, a cell showing how three inmates escaped via tunneling through the wall and all the common areas used by the prisoners.
It was also the main focus of the movie ‘The Rock’ featuring Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage in 1996.
So how do you get here?
The only way to get there is via ferry! We recommend booking a package that combines a walking tour of the waterfront area, ferry ride to Alcatraz, and tickets to Alcatraz.
Rent a Bike all the way across Golden Gate Bridge
For the active types - biking along the waterfront, while stopping to take in the many viewpoints of San Francisco, and then going across the Golden Gate Bridge is a dream come true!
You can then coast downhill to the charming town of Sausalito and enjoy an afternoon there before taking the ferry back to San Francisco!
If you want a less active ride, you can even rent an electric bike!
Rent GoCar
For a unique experience, try using the electric GoCars, which have a built in GPS and tour guide that talks to you while you go around town!
There is a location at the Fisherman’s Wharf where you’ll start your loop around town that visits the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and winding Lombard Road!
Eat all the seafood chowder
You won't go hungry at the Fisherman’s Wharf - in fact the hardest part will be choosing what to eat!
For one of the best clam chowders in town, make sure to check out Fog Harbour! They have some great views of the bay and a wide variety of delicious seafood on the menu too!
All along Taylor St, there are a line of crab stands that double as sit-down restaurants and takeaway options. They all are roughly the same in terms of offerings, taste, and prices - so pick one that speaks to you! The ones I’ve noticed there are Cafe 8, Nick’s Lighthouse, Sabella & Torre, and Crab Station.
Have a double double at In N Out
It's hard to believe that this is the only In N Out in San Francisco. But it’s not surprise then that it’s perennially crowded with lines out the door chocked full of locals and tourists alike.
If you haven't had a burger here before - you need to get a double double animal style with extra lettuce/tomato. It’s burger heaven that you won’t be able to forget anytime soon.
Maritime National Historical Park
There are five historic ships here that are floating museums and are very well maintained by the National Park Service. Among them are the Balclutha, which appeared in the class Clark Gable movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” and the Alma, a beautiful schooner that is one of the few left in the world.
It’s free to roam around the docks and admire the ships from there. If you want to board the ships, it’ll cost you $5 and you can board as many times you’d like. The Balclutha is especially interesting since it moved goods between San Francisco, England, and New Zealand from 1886 to 1939.
The Maritime Museum, shaped like an Art Deco ship, is free and worth checking out before you board any of the historical ships.
