When you come visit Northern California to see what the West Coast is all about, San Francisco always comes up in conversation. One of San Francisco’s top destinations for both locals and tourists is Fisherman’s Wharf. You can’t think of this city without thinking of this waterfront neighborhood.
The coastal charm here really is unforgettable. The photo opportunities to share are undeniable. You have recognizable icons that have defined this city. It’s a movement of art, music, and culture unto itself. Spending a day here doesn’t seem like enough time, but luckily, it’s all packed in close together, and you can get a lot accomplished in a day.
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GoCity Explorer Pass
In San Francisco, GoCity offers two different city passes to experience the top attractions in a cost-friendly way: the All-Inclusive Pass and the Explorer Pass. There are 24 attractions to choose from for the All-Inclusive and 28 for the Explorer. You can pick from bike tours, museums, and bay cruises.
For first-time visitors, the All-Inclusive Pass is the best deal. You’re saving more than half the cost compared to the original single prices if you just went from attraction to attraction. See as many as you want in a single day, or if staying longer, select a 2,3, or 5-day pass.
As a California native, I visited San Francisco several times throughout my life. So I went with the Explorer Pass. This allows you to cherry-pick between 2-5 attractions you may not have had the opportunity to experience on a previous visit.
Some of these attractions still require a reservation to be made on their own website, using the pass as access upon arrival. So make sure to check their availability before just showing up.
Fisherman Wharf Attractions
Pier 39
This loveable waterfront pier is an excellent reminder of why you love the West Coast and came to San Francisco in the first place. It features two levels of seafood restaurants and dessert shops, an arcade and games, gift stores, a carousel, musicians, and street performers. Nearby is a Ferris wheel and the Aquarium of the Bay. Not to mention, Pier 39 is usually the starting point for embarkation when going out on the water, such as whale tours, bay cruises, or sailing on a catamaran.
Yes, it’s a tourist attraction that can get crowded on sunny days, especially during the summer. Sometimes there are lines that you may not want to deal with. But it doesn’t lose its charm because of that. It only shows how fun this place can be.
Sea Lions
Who knew that a colony of sea lions had been in the San Francisco Bay since the late 1980s? These lovable mammals spend hours just lying, barking, and playing in the sun on several floating docks next to Pier 39. The numbers also differ day by day, but you can usually see a significant amount. Observe them from nearby viewing platforms on the pier or catch a glimpse as you pass by on a bay sightseeing cruise. They aren’t that active except for a few younger males, but it’s still fun to watch and observe for a short time.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this is a massive waterfront park where you can sit back and relax. The highlight was that it maintained a docked fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, which represented various periods of maritime commerce for the U.S. You could climb aboard and learn the history of each vessel.
Note: A current San Francisco restoration project has resulted in them being relocated to another part of California, known as Mare Island. There is no expected completion date currently so that it could take a few years.
Don’t let that deter you. You still have Aquatic Park Cove, so you can easily climb in and swim within the calm waters or relax on the sand. There is the Maritime Museum, which offers artwork and maritime history of the Pacific Coast. Others like to take a break on the outdoor amphitheatre-type steps and enjoy the views and people watching while having a snack.
Cruise Around the Bay
Enjoy the sun and a pleasant ocean breeze as you take a classic sightseeing cruise, available during both the day and evening. It gives you a different perspective on the city. Starting at the wharf, you will head to open waters, slowly going up the coast past the marina and beaches to the Golden Gate Bridge, circling back, and passing by Alcatraz (some cruises include an entry ticket to the island as part of the package).
Throughout the tour, you will be listening to the audio guide on the loudspeaker, which provides a brief history excerpt of the city and each location. It’s short and sweet, clocking in at just over an hour, but so much fun, whether it’s your first time here or your twelfth.
USS Pampanito Museum
For naval history lovers, this is a WWII submarine now turned museum. Preserved as close to its original condition as possible, you can take a self-guided tour inside the submarine to observe the sailors’ living conditions through its crew quarters, command center, mess hall, and engine rooms. Learn about its construction and history with audio play from some of its original crew. It’s docked right next to the Musee Mécanique, making it a nice pairing for both activities.
Musee Mécanique
Here you have the opportunity to play the same coin-operated games your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents did decades ago. Some of these well-preserved, still operable games date back to the early 19th century, with mechanical pulleys and levers to operate instead of electronics. Of course, there are some more recent 20th-century games in the back that you may remember playing as a kid.
This is one of the most unique attractions in all of San Francisco. It’s a privately owned collection, but available to all, and free entry to those who want a bit of fun. It’s quirky, kind of hipster in its whole retro vibe, and a nice way to get some history entertainingly.
Exploratorium
Pulling levers and pushing buttons brings us back to childlike wonder and curiosity. Focusing on key areas of learning science, art, natural phenomena, and our human perceptions, here, no matter what age you are. It’s filled with engaging, interactive exhibits that allow you to grasp what you are reading through hands-on experience.
There is even a workshop where the staff make the exhibits on display once they have passed the necessary guidelines. You can view all types of tools and equipment being used to create whatever idea comes to mind. Things are always in motion here and are constantly being worked on at all different levels.
Ghirardelli Square
It’s all about the sweet treats here. A former chocolate factory, now transformed into a vibrant plaza, it still retains the original buildings, which have been converted to include upscale cafes, boutique gift shops, and restaurants. You can’t walk through Fisherman’s Wharf without stopping by here for a second.
Most come for the Ghirardelli chocolate experience at their original store on the corner of the plaza. Yes, it can be a bit pricey, but it does live up to the hype. There are sundaes and various chocolate products to sample and purchase, as well as the opportunity to learn about the early chocolate-making process through displays of the equipment used. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it’s still enjoyable to stroll around and window-shop, take in the views of the bay, and appreciate the ambiance.
Boudin Bakery
Many who visit probably don’t know that San Francisco has its own world-renowned sourdough bread. And no one has been keeping this tradition alive like Boudin Bakery. They have continuously operated since the California Gold Rush era with their distinct flavor and style.
It doesn’t stop there. The central location, right on the wharf, not only contains its production floor, where you can observe the bread being made daily, but also a small marketplace for other takeaway food and souvenirs next to the cafe part of the building.
Eating around the world, I have not found a better bread bowl anywhere yet. The best choices are the traditional clam chowder or classic rustic tomato. This is essential to having a whole San Francisco experience.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you will have had a great time in San Francisco. The wharf offers something for all ages and groups. It’s lively and vibrant, so you will never be bored. Being on the sunny Pacific Coast, it’s going to change your perceptions and attitude towards wanting to enjoy that California lifestyle.