Fisherman's Wharf

Visit San Francisco’s #1 tourist destination! Fisherman’s Wharf is a bustling hub of activity from morning until after dark.

Check out Crab Stands and the picturesque fishing harbor. Fisherman’s Wharf is a bustling hub of activity from morning until after dark. Eat freshly caught Dungeness crab, purchase San Francisco memorabilia, or take a tour of the surrounding area on a Segway glide or Lucky Tuk Tuk adventure. Fisherman’s Wharf offers hours of entertainment.

History

The Fisherman’s Wharf area was originally the location of a small fishing community of first generation Italian immigrants who made the area their home in the early 1800s. These families owned fishing boats that set sail daily, hauling in a wide variety of fresh fish, crab, and other seafood to sell and eat at home.

It was only natural that these fishermen and their families would develop delicious recipes from the food they caught. Italian-owned seafood restaurants began cropping up along the waterfront. Today, the original fishermen have passed on, but their descendants continue the family legacy by operating restaurants established by their seafaring ancestors.

 

Today

Fisherman’s Wharf attracts millions of visitors every year, making it the #1 tourist destination in San Francisco. The famous Fisherman’s Wharf sign, with the crab emblazoned on a ship’s steering wheel, is one of the most photographed locations in the city.

Fisherman’s Wharf offers the widest variety of fresh seafood in town! Street vendors sell fresh crab and other seafood, while tour operators line the sidewalk and offer tickets to bay cruises.

The fishing boats moored at Fisherman’s Wharf today mostly belong to third generation descendants of the original Italian fishermen who populate the area. Most local restaurants are Italian-owned, thanks to a deeply rooted Italian-American history.

 

Highlights

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Visit this “Odditorium” and marvel at the museum’s collection of incredible artifacts, strange exhibits, and unusual art! This self-guided tour is interactive and allows guests to enjoy the attraction at their own pace. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop, where candy comes in delightful shapes and colors.

Aquatic Park: Visit the only floating National Historic Park! Hyde Street Pier is home to historic vessels that offer tours and demonstrations. Don’t forget to visit the Maritime Museum, created in the shape of an ocean liner! Take a tour of several historic ships. The SS Jeremiah O’Brien is a WWII Liberty ship is the only ship that returned to the shores of Normandy for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. Tour the ship’s vast hold, visit the gift shop, and walk through the engine room that appeared in the movie Titanic. U.S. sailors spent hundreds of days in the small quarters of the U.S.S. Pampanito submarine. Step inside to experience what life was like for these men.

Boudin Bakery: Visit the birthplace of sourdough bread! Boudin Bakery’s glass windows allow visitors to watch bakers pound and mold sourdough bread into the shape of crabs, crocodiles, bears, and more! Try their famous clam chowder sourdough bread bowl, or peruse the gift shop for specialty kitchen items.

Segway and Electric Scooter Tours: Located a ten-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco Electric Tours offers you hours of enjoyment upon a Segway or E-Scooter! Tour the wharf and waterfront, Little Italy, and Aquatic Park during your guided tour. Alternately, take an e-scooter tour to the Golden Gate Bridge and back!

Aquarium of the Bay: Located at Pier 39, the aquarium is home to sharks, bat rays, sea anemones, and more! Its interactive exhibits allow visitors a rare chance to feel and interact with creatures difficult to access in the wild, such as sea anemones and starfish.