Fisherman's Wharf Reviews (San Francisco, California)

When in Rome (or San Francisco) it's a must visit

Dallas, Texas

September 25, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo Because San Francisco is "The City on the Bay", going to the Fisherman's Wharf is a must. There are tons of tourist trap type shops- but it's also a great place to just pop into one of the many restaurants on the water for a drink or two. I would ...Read more

touristy and busy

by rufusni

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

November 14, 2012

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Fisherman's Wharf is basically a tourist trap with restaurants trying to lure people in and lots of souvenir shops as well. We spent only about an hour here. We walked about, lots of people and some street performers. In one sense its better than ...Read more

From journal Finding San Francisco in the fog

Fisherman's Wharf

by dkm1981

Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

November 12, 2011

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Best of IgoUgo Fisherman’s Wharf is the area of San Francisco that lines the sea front. It is extremely popular with tourists and it is this popularity that has made it what it is – a haven of restaurants, shops and tourist traps that some may find gaudy and not ...Read more Fisherman’s Wharf is the area of San Francisco that lines the sea front. It is extremely popular with tourists and it is this popularity that has made it what it is – a haven of restaurants, shops and tourist traps that some may find gaudy and not in keeping with the rest of the laid back city, but that I found engaging and fun as long as you look past the tat!

The main strip is Jefferson Street and the area runs from around Pier 39 on one end and to the beginning of the Golden Gate Promenade at the other end. There are a number of tourist attractions here that will draw people in such as a large aquarium and restaurants like The Rainforest Cafe, but these are the kind of thing that you kind find pretty much anywhere. If you look a little deeper you’ll find a lot of things that are unique to this city and these are the things that make it such an enjoyable place to be.

Pier 39 is just like any other pleasure pier in that it is lined with shops selling souvenirs and generic gifts, but there are fascinating placards scattered around it that tell the history of the city and the pier itself. I particularly enjoyed the ones about the rebuilding of the pier after the great fire and the one telling of the pier being a target for potential Alcatraz escapees. The signs are large and include photographs and they educate in a fun way. Another great thing about the pier are the sea lions that have taken residence at the end of it. They just arrived one day about twenty years ago and they have never left. We spent hours enjoying the sun and watching the sea lions from the upstairs balcony of the pier and children in particular will love it. The other thing that Pier 39 is great for are the views out to Alcatraz, it is absolutely the best place in the city to get a photograph from as it is just about the nearest place without being on the ferry.

Further down from Pier 39 is the Hyde Street pier which is a lovely reminder of what times gone by where like. The pier is a much more industrial pier and there are old vessels permanently docked here that give you a very good idea of what it was like. Again there are various things to read and learn and one of the best places to do this is the visitor’s centre at the end of the pier.

Ghiradelli Square is located at the farthest end of Fisherman’s Wharf and is the former home of the chocolate manufacturer. Whilst the chocolate is no longer produced here, there are remnants of the old buildings and there is a chocolate shop where you can buy untold amounts of the devilishly good yet slightly pricey chocolate.

Oddly enough, nestled amongst all the souvenir shops, there are a few art galleries which are lovely places to wander around. They often have big name artists on display – when we wandered in them we saw some Dali works, a couple of Picassos and a few other local artists. Since the galleries are located towards the end of the area, they occupy huge spaces and so the works of art are displayed beautifully.

Of course, if you want the in your face kind of fun that places like Blackpool provide, it is here by the bucket load. There is a Madame Taussauds, a Ripley Odditorium and, as I’ve already mentioned, a huge aquarium to keep you entertained. All of them offer big discounts as well if you pick up leaflets from your hotel.

Eating wise, you are spoilt for choice and there is (to use a corny phrase) something for everyone. You can get fast food in the form of all the usual burger and chicken places or you can go a bit more upmarket with one of the fish restaurants. For a fun and laid back lunch, try Wipeout, a friendly restaurant / bar on Pier 39 where the service is good and the portion sizes typically huge. Whatever you do though, you must try some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl – absolutely delicious and very local to this area. Almost everywhere sells it and it makes for a hearty lunch by the sea.

Some people thing Fisherman’s Wharf is a bit tacky and certainly the guide books tend to brush it off as a tourist trap to be sneered at, but we absolutely loved the atmosphere that the place had. Sure we went slightly out of season in mid-October so it wasn’t overly crowded, but it has as much or as little as you want in close proximity and it has all the ingredients for a great holiday by the sea – fun and frolicks and cracking views.
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From journal San Francisco - Top Five

Is this the hub of activity?

by MichaelJM

Nottingham, England

October 19, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo We were staying at the Radisson Hotel just a short walk away from the piers of Fisherman’s Wharf. It claimed in the information that it had "breathtaking views" of San Francisco Bay. Well not from our bedroom – we had not so breathtaking views of ...Read more We were staying at the Radisson Hotel just a short walk away from the piers of Fisherman’s Wharf. It claimed in the information that it had "breathtaking views" of San Francisco Bay. Well not from our bedroom – we had not so breathtaking views of the car park! Still the room was absolutely fine with a couple of queen Sized beds and the usually expected facilities. Of course we were not intending to be languishing in our room and the hotel was perfectly placed for accessing the City. It was only a couple of minutes to the pier and the tram terminal was a 10 minute saunter in the other direction, although trams were closer than that if you didn’t fancy the walk.

Just outside the hotel were two decent restaurants – ideal for stoking up in the morning with a good hearty breakfast!

The wharf dates back to the Gold Rush days when the harbour would have been a mass of small sailing boats similar to the Egyptian Feluccas and these colourful boats could be heard weaving in the waters. I say heard because on the foggy days the ship’s crew would sing loudly as they set about their sailing – it meant that you would always be sure to know that there was a boat nearby. Far more pleasant than the harsh sound of a modern fog horn!

For over 150 years fishermen have been harvesting the water’s nearby and the famous catch is the Dungeness crab. Nowadays the restaurant business reminds you that this is the dish of the area as the notices shout at you that this dish is available and "the best in town". With so many best in towns it’s hard to know where to eat. We went to Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant to sample the local catch and of course the traditional clam chowder. Very nice it was too, but I’m sure it was very similar to many of its neighbours. In all honesty they were all busy and looked a "much of a muchness".

Whilst I was waiting for the meal to be served I went to investigate the noise I could hear from the inside of the restaurant. It was of course the famous harbour seals who have made their home here. Floating rafts have been constructed for them and their efforts to clamber onto these structures are worth watching. They make a heck of a din and, although after a time you get used to the smell, they aren’t pleasant to be near. Be warned their odour is rank!

We went up close to USS Pampanito – a World War II submarine that made several patrols in the pacific, sinking six Japanese boats. There were explanatory boards about the sub but we decided that we didn’t have time to fully explore the inside of the submarine. Still it’s a "mean bit of kit" considering it dates back to 1945.

Walking along the side of the water there was plenty to keep your mind occupied. Street entertainers by the score; locals weaving in and out of the crowds on their roller blades; colourful leisure boats; and traditional working boats with fishermen preparing the fish for sale. The latter is not always a pretty sight but fascinating nonetheless. Huge gulls strut round the promenade and clearly they are well fed on food left over by the visitors. Occasionally horse and traps canter past (these are available for hire) seemingly in competition for spped with the trams that glide almost effortlessly along the front.

Our wives were taken by the variety of small craft shops selling locally made items alongside the more exclusive shops. We looked but didn’t buy and at one point my friend and I sat on the pier enjoying people watching. Alongside the excited voices we could still hear the honking of the seals. They won’t be overshadowed by noisy tourists.

i reckon this is a great area to visit and take in the atmosphere, but there are far more typical San Francisco sights to see. I'd recommend visiting and eating hear, but don't dwell here at the expense of the other sights in town. Close

From journal Planning to tour West Coast USA

Overrated Attraction Site

by amrikgill

Hayward, California

December 23, 2009

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There are many different shops and restaurants at the Fisherman's Wharf that a tourist can take advantage of. Tourists can buy souvenirs at one of the souvenir shops or take pictures with the incredible view of the bay bridge or the bay and many ...Read more

The Bushman Lurks

by MikeInTown

Leesburg, Virginia

June 8, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo San Francisco was our first port of call. It is a great city with many fun things do. Our cruise ship was scheduled to be docked at Pier 39 for two days. Having visited San Francisco in the past, my wife and I had already done many of the ...Read more San Francisco was our first port of call. It is a great city with many fun things do. Our cruise ship was scheduled to be docked at Pier 39 for two days. Having visited San Francisco in the past, my wife and I had already done many of the attractions that I feel first-time visitors should not miss such as: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Chinatown, and a city tour. As much as we enjoyed them the first time, we did not want to pay to do these things again. Therefore, during our first day in port, we wandered around Fisherman's Wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf has been a part of the city's seafood industry since the Gold Rush days. Today, it also has many souvenir shops, stores, and restaurants. There are also some very good street performers to keep visitors entertained. Be sure to look and listen for the noisy sea lions that congregate on platforms in the water. It's fun to watch them bark at each other as they jockey for the best lounging spot.

There is a visitors' booth in the middle of Pier 39 and at least one activity warehouse on Jefferson Street where visitors can get help with booking tours and activities in and around San Francisco. Discounts coupons to many of the attractions can be found online at BayCityGuide.com.

Walking west from Pier 39 on Jefferson Street, you'll encounter more shops, restaurants, hotels, and small quirky museums. Just make sure you watch out for the Bushman during your walk. The Bushman is a creative pan handler that pops out of a fake bush on the sidewalk and yells to startle an unsuspecting passerby. This is then followed by laughter and applause of bystanders that are already hip to the game. People put tips in the Bushman's cup and wait for him to startle the next unsuspecting victim. The Bushman seems to be a local legend. I saw people pose for photos with him. I even saw a guy wearing a T-Shirt with the words 'The Bushman scared the @#$% out of me!'

We finished off our wandering that day at a Walgreens convenience store where we bought a few odds and ends. I took a walk down the snack aisle as I love to do when I'm in a different city. Because of its large Chinese population, San Francisco has some really interesting snacks such as dried squid and shrimp chips. I ended up buying a bag of the shrimp chips. These puffy crisps had a slight shrimp flavor. I munched on them in my ship cabin throughout the rest of the week.

Finally, I recommend visitors to San Francisco always have a jacket handy even if it is warm out. The temperature seems to drop drastically in late afternoon. Those who are unprepared will probably end up buying a souvenir San Francisco sweatshirt or jacket.
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From journal Pacific Northwest Cruise: The Swine Flu Switch-a-roo

Fisherman's Wharf

by cr008k

San Francisco, California

January 22, 2006

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This is a must-visit. Fisherman's Wharf is the last pier on the water. There are 49, I think, and it is Pier 49. You can take a bus to get there. There are tons of attractions: lots of little shops, a merry-go-round for kids, a creperie, and a bunch ...Read more

From journal San Francisco Livin'

Fisherman's Wharf / Pier 39

by jl32

Chicago, Illinois

September 16, 2005

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Pier 39 is where the tourists meet the Wharf. It's touristy and expensive, and you'll be innudated with dumb things to buy, but on a clear day, the view of the bay and of course, the Rock--Alcatraz, is priceless. Soak in the culture on a cooler day ...Read more

From journal The San Francisco Treat

Fisherman's Wharf

by Clovery

NSW, Australia

June 30, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo On our first visit, the place was utterly quiet. Dark clouds hung low over Alcatraz Island, which could be seen from Pier 43 ½, where you board bay cruises and access the ferry terminal. The day looked somber and was close to 50 degrees. It was ...Read more

From journal Experience Vicarious Thrills of San Francisco

The Seals at Fisherman's Wharf and More

by ongkenyong

Stamford, Connecticut

April 8, 2005

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This pier area is pretty fun for families, and there's a lot of interesting things to do here: an aquarium, ferry rides, local foods, and more. To top it off, there's a bunch of lazy sea lions and seals relaxing at the pier making fun of humans as ...Read more

From journal Four Days in San Francisco

IgoUgo

Fisherman's Wharf

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