Location: Fisherman’s Wharf
Top Things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf
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The 10 Best Things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf, California (CA)
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Franklin Bowles Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to this impressive art gallery in the Fisherman Wharf area There is a wide variety of styles and artists. Staff is informative.
2. Dennis Rae Fine Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We went to the Dennis Rae Fine Art Gallery. They exhibit works from several artists, including Dr. Seuss and Salvador Dali. Its a very good art gallery to visit.
3. San Francisco Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By katorinda - Lafayette, United States
My husband used to work in a building on Pier 7 and saw the water taxi come in and out of the area all day. Ever since, I've wanted to take it. We walked to Hyde Street pier and took the water taxi back. What a blast!! Kind of wish we had taken it both ways since the fare is good for the entire day. For $10 a person, this is a great deal in SF where everything is usually so overpriced! Highly recommend it as a way to see a different SF. Plus the captain was a hoot and great company!
4. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 682 reviews
Visitors can take a workshop on boatbuilding, board a vessel docked at the Hyde Street Pier or tour the fine collections of maritime lore.
Reviewed By PepperNewJersey - California, United States
We just visited the Visitor Center which provided us great exhibits an hands-on activities bout the Gold Rush, shipwrecks and sea communications. Great artifacts and interesting history!
5. USS Pampanito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 763 reviews
World War II submarine docked at Pier 45.
Reviewed By GilB867 - Memphis, United States
The USS Pampanito, built in 1943 is now a National Historic Landmark and actually part of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association located not at the Maritime National Park but at Fisherman's Wharf or pier. This sub completed six war time patrols between 1944 and 1945. If you are the least bit of a history, navy, or ship enthusiasts this is a must see while in San Francisco, and it is conveniently located in the Fisherman's Wharf area on the bay. Ticket prices are a little steep but well worth the first hand look you will get inside an actually WWII submarine. You can tour the entire ship, stand in every compartment, at your own pace using a audio cassette.
6. SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Historic World War II ship docked at Pier 45. One of two remaining Liberty Class of ships, the Jeremiah made 11 trips from London to Normandy for the D day invasion to supply the war effort and carry troops.
Reviewed By RHS1946 - Monroe, United States
On a recent trip to San Francisco with family, we visited the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a restored and functional WWII Liberty ship. My interest was the fact that it had seen duty on Omaha Beach on D-Day and my father had been there on a US Navy LST landing troops and equipment. It had seen duty in the South Pacific too and had even delivered "war brides" to the USA after the war was over. Hard working people managed to save this Liberty Ship, the only one of it's class still a working vessel. It was sailed to Normandy for the 50th Remembrance of D-Day. Walking up the rope had rail of the steps to the ship would not be easy for anyone who is walking challenged. Almost the entire ship can be explored - from the gun placements above deck to the engine room way below deck. We saw the Captain's quarters and where the ordinary seamen slept, the galley, the infirmary, the map room and many other places. It was fascinating. There is a museum aboard complete with a very large diorama of the sea, the entire beach head and the land where the invasion took place. A small gift shop had several interesting items including books, some posters, patches, hats. This was on New Year's Eve and as we left the staff was setting up for a large event. What a setting to watch the fireworks to be set off at midnight while the band played!
7. Musee Mecanique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,871 reviews
This superb collection of mechanical games and toys will entice people of all ages.
Reviewed By JameAndDare - Woodstock, Canada
After having happy hour drinks at the restaurant across the street from this museum, we wandered in and ended up spending over an hour in here! Its free to get in and open until 8pm on weekends, although I'm pretty sure we were here til about 8:30. This place is amazing with a wide range of old arcade games from cheesy old games that show some sort of scenario, to strength games, ski ball, common video games, love tests and our favorite; The Gypsy Queen fortunteller! Bring AT LEAST a roll of quarters, if not more. They go quickly and it was so much fun. We felt like little kids again!
8. Aquatic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
This waterfront area, once part of Fort Mason, is now a complex for museums and artists.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We love the views of the San Francisco Bay from Aquatic Park. Its a wonderful place to go for a walk. There are some restaurants such as McCormick and Schmick at Giardelli Square where one gets a good view of the park when dining. And yes - some even swim in the Bay.
9. Angel Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 978 reviews
The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
Reviewed By kayshu01 - California, United States
Spent the day at Angel Island and hiked up to the Immigration Station and joined an extremely informative and enjoyable tour of the facility with one of the docents, Richard, who made the tour even more meaningful and engaging. I highly recommend this activity to those who want to learn about the Chinese Exclusion Act of the mid 1800's. Take the first Angel Island ferry from Pier 41 (check times and get there at least 30 mins prior to boarding) and hike up to the Immigration Station as soon as you get there. Tours usually start at 11.00 AM and then ride the shuttle back to the harbor. Have a bite to eat at the little cafe and catch the ferry back to SF in the afternoon. You won't regret the excursion if you are interested in history and have done the usual touristy stuff in SF.
10. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Ships at Hyde Street Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park encompasses 34 acres, and has the most National Historic Landmarks of any unit in the National Park Service. In addition to the fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, the Park includes the Aquatic Park Historic District (Maritime Museum, beach, lawn area, and bleachers), a Visitor Center and the Research Center (in Fort Mason Center).
Reviewed By meimei44
An under-promoted gem of the Hyde St Pier, the 100-plus year-old scow schooner Alma sails regularly around the Bay. Don’t miss it! You’ll be sailing on a vintage restored vessel that I feel offers the smoothest bay sailing tour around (its a long, wide, flat bottomed vessel, so it doesn’t heel or rock at all while plowing through the choppy waves). As a novice sailor, I was fascinated with all the ginormous masts, sails, and rigging, as it is all authentically maintained. You can help hoist the sails (takes several people), watch the volunteer crew work nimbly to steer and trim, tour the backside of Angel Island (i sails through Raccoon Strait), and enjoy the ocean view of the SF shoreline. Great fun for all ages, and the only vessel of its type still actively in use in the US. The ranger on board offers interesting stories of the old shipping days, and how Alma once carried hay, coals, timber, etc. around the bay and far up the Sacramento Delta. Check the website for sailing dates. $40 for a wonderful afternoon on a unique boat!
