Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf
4
About
The historic Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s must-visit spots. Even getting there is an experience in itself—you can hop on a classic cable car from downtown. Dine at a scenic waterfront restaurant (try the famous sourdough bread bowl), explore the area’s shops and art galleries, check out the street performances and don’t miss the historic WWII submarine—the USS Pampanito. You can catch all these highlights on a walking, bike or big bus tour. Stay for the magnificent sunset views and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the mischievous sea lions at Pier 39. – Tripadvisor
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Neighbourhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there’s something for everyone at Fisherman’s Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone’s sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighbourhood a true San Francisco treat.
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See what travellers are saying
- AMohsenPort Said, Egypt687 contributionsVibrant and must spend high quality time thereIt is quite a vibrant and joyful region that allows spending high-quality time. It is cheerful and full of tourists. The region includes popular and picturesque piers, malls, shopping outlets, driving small race cars, and several activities. It is one of the best locations to reside and reserve the accommodation.Visited June 2023Travelled with friendsWritten March 26, 2024
- ken-kanekoKanagawa Prefecture, Japan124 contributionsA tourist hubA typical tourist spot in San Francisco. It has a view of the harbor and is lined with restaurants and shops. You can also go to the Golden Gate Bridge from here. It doesn't have that sea smell like Japan, so it's pleasant to stroll around. There are many nice residential areas nearby, so it's nice to walk, even though there are many slopes. There are food stalls even on weekdays, so it's lively.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten May 7, 2024
- Jota2015CeMadrid, Spain9,752 contributionsDocks.Lively port area with very commercial docks full of shops, restaurants and attractions. Don't miss Pier 45 with the Musée Mécanique and Pier 39 with the merry-go-round and the sea lions. Much more lively in the afternoon, in the morning many shops are closed.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten May 9, 2024
- Nico Samneil Sy SaladoNewport, Vermont2,004 contributionsYeah coolThis place became iconic since the sign for the wharf is here. Whole wharf has been changed into a tourist spot so it’s cool looking with lots of activities. Modern cable car has also a stop here. See images further reference.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten May 11, 2024
- Rachel & Andy392 contributionsNice Area but a Tourist TrapVisited: 10/06/2023 Fisherman's Wharf could be another tourist trap for sure. It was well worth the visit, but be wary of prices on food and things to do. The streets are lined with stalls of food and craft vendors so the walkways can be really crowded, and worse when people are not aware of surroundings and suddenly stop in front of you. It is a nice are to walk around, but prices are hiked up. What I will recommend is an old style gaming arcade called Musee Mechanique where they have retro-fitted lots of centuries old arcade games to take modern coins to still be played. It's like a museum but with games. Fabulous. And seeing the USS Pampanito was fabulous as well.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten May 25, 2024
- Cara LeeTokomaru Bay, New Zealand14 contributionsRoom with a viewEnjoyed the dining experience and many options available. Spent the whole day there. Best to shop around for sales as some souvenir shops are expensive again alot of options. The sea lions were a must see and we enjoyed watching them for a time. Some very good street entertainers. Easy access to tour boats and buses etc. On a downside a couple of rest rooms we used were filthy and reeked of urine and Marijuana which was not nice so didn't use. They need more restrooms that have attendants to keep clean.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 5, 2024
- DesertTripsMorocco381 contributionsUnforgettable Experience at Fisherman's Wharf in San FranciscoWe had an amazing time at Fisherman's Wharf! The lively atmosphere and beautiful waterfront views made it perfect for walking around. Our seafood lunch was delicious, with fresh clam chowder and bay crab. There’s so much to see and do, from street performers and historic ships to the Aquarium of the Bay and the bustling Pier 39. Fisherman's Wharf is a must-visit for anyone in San Francisco. Highly recommend!Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten June 7, 2024
- Lucas ADaly City, California13 contributionsRelaxing and fun day at Fisherman's Wharf !Went there at lunch time to just see the new wheel installed there and it was amazing! We walked on Jefferson street and there was a lot of performances on the road. There are small stores selling cotton candies, hot dog, drinks and souvenirs. There were a few guys dancing and singing too! we stopped there for a good 30 mins to enjoy our show and we dropped some tips for them for the good show. It's really hot in SF today and I really admire their determination. We got on the wheel and enjoy the view from the top of the wheel and it's so relaxing. We were slowly travelling up to the top and the whole process is simply enjoyment. I highly recommend the Ferris wheel trip if anyone is in SF. I heard they change places once in a while so I'm not sure will the wheel still be here next time if anyone is visiting the Wharf. We visited the Boudin Bakery & cafe on our way back and it was huge. You can see the process of the bread making, all the dough and smell the bread a miles far. This is a really good experience and relaxing meal after the wheel just under the sun and enjoy. Anyway, I enjoyed my trip to the Wharf today and it's simply amazing.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten July 4, 2024
- paws0810Mesa, Arizona3,071 contributionsWeekendIt’s been a few years since we’ve been at the wharf. We’ve been here four times and 40 years. It’s still fun beautiful weather, breezy, sunny, cool wind enjoyed everything it was clean and not a lot of crazy peopleVisited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 17, 2024
- FrankieandtheWorldAlmelo, The Netherlands2,348 contributionsEspecially the name, little rundown and dated busy areaThis area around Fisherman's Warf is actually a classic tourist trap. It's mostly the name. Furthermore, it is busy, many expensive restaurants, expensive supermarkets and ugly souvenir shops. It all looks a bit dilapidated and dated. Not our thing!Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten July 31, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Joe C
Barry, UK84 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
If you go to San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is very likely to be on your itinerary. The sea lions and chowder have become part of most visits to the city.
We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf - and tended to be in that area most days at some point. It's touristy and felt busy. The street entertainers are great, but it is loud - and sometimes crowded.
We found that using some of the lesser crowded piers to get a really great view out over towards Alcatraz worked for us. Pier 41 gives you great views of the sea lions too - without battling through the crowds.
We had some great meals around Fisherman's Wharf - but it is more expensive than walking a few streets away.
We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf - and tended to be in that area most days at some point. It's touristy and felt busy. The street entertainers are great, but it is loud - and sometimes crowded.
We found that using some of the lesser crowded piers to get a really great view out over towards Alcatraz worked for us. Pier 41 gives you great views of the sea lions too - without battling through the crowds.
We had some great meals around Fisherman's Wharf - but it is more expensive than walking a few streets away.
Written October 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank dB
Arnhem, The Netherlands1,400 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The Fishermans Wharf is an open accessible area, which consists of a number of piers, shops, restaurants, bars and attractions. The Ferris wheel usually looks empty, is quite defining. Luckily it doesn't really have a fairground feel. The best part is at the end of pier 39, where a large group of sea lions is woven together on decking making noise. For photos it is best to come in the morning, otherwise you have backlighting which is difficult with dark animals.
Also nice views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge.
Also nice views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge.
Automatically translated
Written September 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaVale
Milan, Italy607 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Beautiful place . I arrived by cable car (13 dollars return). It is a rather long street with many shops, places to eat, music. Fish at will. Crab is very good food. Pier 39 you will find beached sea lions. A beautiful image and right there on the upper floor there is a restaurant with wooden tables where they make phenomenal crab. The oysters are also delicious. The prices in the shops are not exactly cheap, considering that it is a very touristy place. The bubble shop is also very nice (all natural soaps and body products). Go there!! Good fun

Written February 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kor M
Brisbane, Australia190 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
A first-time visitor, I was shocked at how unimpressive this area is. It's world-famous, but I left wondering what exactly it's famous for. It consists largely of fast-food restaurants and merchandise shops selling touristy junk nobody needs. What's more, it smells bad, reeking of uncollected garbage, marijuana or cigarette smoke, or in some places a combination of all three. I can't imagine what it's like in the summer. On the plus side, you can get a decent view of the local sea lions from Pier 39, and the old ships at Hyde Street Pier (specifically Balclutha [1886] and C.A. Thayer [1895]) are beautifully preserved and well worth the $15 price of admission. The same can't be said of the submarine USS Pampanito. I was curious to board it and look inside, but $30 just for admission was too steep for me.
Written December 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunnee R
10 contributions
Jun 2022
SO many things to see and do in this area. Boudin bakery, restaurant, bakery, cafe, the Crab House, and te Fish Market for food. Tons of shirt and sweats to buy, it may be cooler and windier thant you expected. Take a cruise on the bay to get the true effect that San Francisco is on a peninsula surrounded on three isde by cool water. There are street performers, kiosks with stuff to buy and this is the area where you can pick up and retron from the Big Red Bus that takes you all around town, well worth the time and price IMHO. Hop on Hop off.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahea M
Pomona, California, United States7 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Enjoyed everything there except these 2 street performers. Be aware of 2 male break dancers claiming to represent a help children charity. Hi dollar, hi pressure scam. They even get volunteers from the crowd to build up the act. I was one of the volunteers. Then they turn on the pressure and start collecting money. They request $10 - $20+ and ridicule you if you only give a couple of dollars. Stay away, just keep walking.
Written October 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lengtan67
Kuala Lumpur1,203 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
My visit was in early February, and found it rather quiet probably due to lack of tourists attributed by Covid.
Many shops and restaurants were also not in operations, as such the entire place was even quieter by 7pm.
Nevertheless, was still an interesting place to explore minus the crowd and managed to find some good eats like deep fried calamari or prawns and clam chowder from any of the 2 corner shops nearest to the Fisherman's Wharf iconic signage - something not to be missed if we love deep fried items.
Fisherman's Wharf is easily accessible by Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde cable car line and also the tram or streetcar Line F.
Many shops and restaurants were also not in operations, as such the entire place was even quieter by 7pm.
Nevertheless, was still an interesting place to explore minus the crowd and managed to find some good eats like deep fried calamari or prawns and clam chowder from any of the 2 corner shops nearest to the Fisherman's Wharf iconic signage - something not to be missed if we love deep fried items.
Fisherman's Wharf is easily accessible by Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde cable car line and also the tram or streetcar Line F.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mavy84
Livorno, Italy172 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Vast tourist area overlooking the bay; it extends from the legendary Pier 39 to Ghirardelli's Square and wherever you go you will find a restaurant ready to refresh you.
The walk it offers is really pleasant, especially on a sunny day, among the multitude of people and streetcars whizzing and ringing along the road.
Highly recommended place to stay even though it is far from the center of San Francisco
The walk it offers is really pleasant, especially on a sunny day, among the multitude of people and streetcars whizzing and ringing along the road.
Highly recommended place to stay even though it is far from the center of San Francisco

Written January 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan C
Cumming, GA148 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
So sad to see the deterioration of the city! Just there for a few days but the level of empty storefronts, graffiti and trash were hard to see. We lived there in the 90s and have come back a couple of times over the years - but were dismayed at how bad things are / empty streets, homeless sleeping and a real lack of vitality……don’t bother with the city go elsewhere.
Written August 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amychav
San Jose, CA221 contributions
Sept 2022
We love coming to Fisherman's Wharf. It is a touristy place, but it is fun. There are street performers, street sellers, food, stores, lots of people and fun. Parking is expensive. But, no trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit here.
If you are planning a trip here, I recommend wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Also layers, because weather can go from warm to cold quickly when the fog rolls in.
If you are planning a trip here, I recommend wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Also layers, because weather can go from warm to cold quickly when the fog rolls in.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yes I was there in April and returning in September Maybe saw one homeless and we walked from the ship to Fishermen’s Wharf and over to Gheradelli Square and back We walked 7 miles in the area total and felt safe
Written August 29, 2024
I am heading to California this summer. My cousin & I want to take our 2 teenage daughters to Fisherman’s Warf. We are wondering if it would be safe for us to visit that are on our own? I see lots of stories on the news about the increased crime rate in San Francisco so we are trying to figure out if it is still currently safe to visit that area?
Written March 13, 2022
It's safe. But beware of pick pockets as in any other tourist crowds.
Written May 17, 2022
Hallo, wij gaan over een tijdje naar San Francisco en vroegen ons af of je entree moet betalen om over de Fisherman’s Wharf te lopen en naar pier 39 te gaan?
Written March 8, 2020
Pier 39 is gratis er is geen inkom te betalen , langs het water zijn er vele restaurantjes en winkeltjes te bezichtigen , enkel als je naar Alcatraz gaat op voorhand bestellen dan moet je niet in de wachtrij staan voor een ticket
Veel plezier het is zeker een bezoek waard
Written March 9, 2020
I have read and also heard that San Francisco and the Fisherman's Wharf area has gotten really run down with a lot of homeless people and there are concerns about needles and feces littering the streets, homeless citizens sleeping on sidewalks. I was planning a possible trip to the area in September but don't want to go if things are this bad - has anyone been there recently that can provide some current information on the situation? I would hate to book a hotel in the area for a week and have it littered with needles, feces etc.
Written January 26, 2020
Hi, visited dec 2019 and yes, I saw a lot of homeless people around and that did surprise me a bit, but as far as being afraid or seeing needles etc, didn’t experience anything like that. The touristy areas are all great, it’s vibrant and fun. Even walking around at night wasn’t bad at all. So go enjoy because it is a beautiful city!
Written February 18, 2020
Is it safe to walk around pier 39 in San Francisco with all the homeless people
Written January 19, 2020
Hello,
At what time does Fisherman's Wharf open on weekdays?
Thanks,
Written October 16, 2019
What is the best time of year to visit?
Written September 17, 2019
We were there mid June. It was busy, but still had great views of Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the sea lions. Shops were full of people so crowding was an issue, but only slight.
Written October 7, 2019
Hi Cheryl,we stayed on Lomdard Street at the Coventry Inn. It's a little "dated" but good price (for SF),clean and the staff were great. There's plenty of accommodation around the area depending on your budget. A word of advice, take something warm if you're out at night. It gets cool when the sun goes down (tho we were previously doing 100 degrees in Vegas). Enjoy, it's a lovely part of the world.
Written August 26, 2019
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