Fisherman's Wharf

Located behind the Pampanito submarine is this World War II Liberty Ship open for tours. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is the sole survivor of the armada of Allied ships which was involved in D-Day, and one of only two remaining World War II Liberty Ships surviving today (the other being the SS Lane Victory in San Pedro), and is an example of the welded and riveted construction technique that was pioneered in the Richmond shipyards that gave us Rosie the Riveter.

An fun exhibit that traces the history of amusement attractions in American cities, with a focus on San Francisco.

Probably the largest and most extensive antique arcade in the world. Several hundred coin-operated musical instruments, antique arcade games, fortune telling machines, and mechanical dioramas. that date from the turn of the century to the early 1990s. The proprietor is typically moving around the space on rollerskates, doing maintenance on the machines.

This tiny chapel is a memorial to the "Lost Fishermen"... those that have lost their lives on the seas. Different religions are represented with separate altars on different sides of the tiny chapel. Every year they hold a special service to commemorate these fishermen. The annual "Blessing of the Fleet" also starts from here every October.

Don't forget to go and see the real fishing boats at what's known as Fish Alley — after all it is "Fisherman's Wharf". If you want to see them actually hauling in their catch, you'll have to be there around 6AM to 7AM.

Built in 1907 with its award-winning architecture, the Cannery overlooks San Francisco Bay and once upon a time was the largest peach cannery in the world. Today it's a bustling marketplace featuring three levels of restaurants, shops, offices, and live entertainment. In the middle it has a secluded courtyard with outdoor bars and cafes.

The park consists of a visitor center, Hyde St Pier and the fleet of historic ships moored there, the Maritime Museum, Aquatic Park, and the Municipal Pier.

The Visitor Center has an information desk and a bunch of small craft and hands-on exhibits that depict San Francisco's rich maritime heritage, with a special focus on the region's economic history. It provides some information about the boats that line Hyde St Pier.

Prior to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, this historic ferry-pier was the primary automobile ferry terminal that connected San Francisco with both Marin County and the East Bay. A fleet of six historic vessels are on display on the pier. Some are available for a self-guided tour, others by docent-led tours. Accessing the pier and boarding ships requires an admission fee. If seeing the ships is your main interest, be sure to ask which ships are open before you buy your ticket as maintenance issues frequently make ships inaccessible. Tides can also prevent access to some of the ships. Among the ships you can see are the Balclutha, an 1886 steel-hulled square rigged sailing ship, the Eureka, an 1890 steam ferryboat (which also has an exhibit of antique cars on board) as of 2022 the Eureka is in accessible because a winter storm in 2020 damaged the gangway, the C.A. Thayer, an 1895 lumber schooner, and the Hercules, a 1907 steam tug (though access is limited to mid-range tides as the gangway is short and steep).

Shaped like a ship, this historic building was built by the WPA as a bathhouse and served as the Maritime Museum for many years before a renovation. Inside you'll find maritime exhibits and beautiful underwater-themed murals.

A great place to take a break from the bustle of Fisherman's Wharf. There is a small beach at the foot of the park where you'll see kayakers, kite fliers, and swimmers from the nearby swim clubs. At the end of the park is Municipal Pier — the closest you could get to Alcatraz on foot or bike, until continuing deterioration and damage forced it to close to the public in late 2022.

It was declared a city landmark in 1965, and today it's still possible to view the remnants of the old chocolate-making machinery there (though chocolate production stopped years ago). Be sure to pop into the chocolate shop; they often hand out free samples at the front door, though the sample may not make up for the long wait in line. The square has a few boutiques, restaurants, specialty stores, and galleries catering mostly to tourists. Be sure to visit the San Francisco Brewing Company for some great west coast IPAs and other freshly brewed beers, but be prepared to pay tourist prices for them. It also has great views over the Bay.

A museum all about the eye: anatomy, vision, eye disorders and treatment, the history of ophthalmology, and rotating exhibitions. Run by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it's well worth a visit if you're in the area and at all curious to learn about how eyes work.

Detailed information listed under the See section above.

This is an exciting bungee/trampoline combination, suitable for all ages, which allows you to experiment with the dare-devil acrobat inside of you. It's possible to reach heights of up to 20 feet in the air.

A fun house maze where you can lose yourself in infinite hallways and dead-ends, complete with psychedelic lighting.

Have some fun in the largest games arcade in San Francisco.

Take a tour round the bakery, enjoy some of their interactive exhibits and learn about the history of Boudin.

This is fun way to enter or leave the Wharf area. For your convenience, two cable car lines terminate at Fisherman's Wharf — one at Hyde St & Beach St and one at Bay St & Taylor St.

Somewhat scary theatrical attraction in which the stories of old San Francisco are brought to life with a full theatrical actor cast, special effects, gripping storytelling, 360° sets and an underground boat ride.

Take a 2½-hour tour of Fisherman's Wharf on a segway

Walk and enjoy being a tourist. If it gets too much for you, escape to the west into the Marina and the Presidio. You can always find a bus to take you back.

Take a ferry to this historic California State Park and wildlife preserve — the "Jewel of San Francisco Bay". Spend a whole day on the largest island in San Francisco Bay, which was once known as the "Ellis Island of the West". There are lots of activities once you get there — picnicking, hiking, biking, boating, camping, and baseball, or just spend a day lounging on one of the many beaches there.

Bay cruises are very popular 60- to 90-minute boat tours that usually take you underneath the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, and along San Francisco's historic 150-year-old waterfront. They also offer great views of the city's skyline. Some of them come with lively guides, others with headphone audio equipment. Some cruise providers have extended routes that take you past Angel Island and close to the shores of Tiburon and Sausalito. Others provide alternate routes that sail under the Bay Bridge as far as Oracle Park, along the San Francisco skyline, around Treasure Island, and along Alcatraz Island. Several operators provide specialist cruises of all descriptions including 'Sunset Cruises' and 'Dining Cruises' among others.

You can also take a ferry across the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon, Vallejo, or Alameda/Oakland, and explore on from there.

Offers a 90-minute bay cruise on a 55-foot luxury catamaran and also sunset cruises in the evening.

In addition to their bay cruise from Pier 39, Blue & Gold Fleet offers ferries from Pier 41 across the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, and Alameda/Oakland. Blue & Gold Fleet also runs a "RocketBoat", a high-speed cruise of the bay in a sleek red boat.

They offer a 1-hour "Golden Gate Bay Cruise" which goes under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz, a 2 hour "California Sunset Cruise" which goes under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Angel Island, and a 90-minute "Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise" which goes under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.

Offering ferry service to/from Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo.

Bay tours under the Golden Gate Bridge and private charters and parties with full catering.

Information on the island can be found on the National Park Service's website.

Why not ring in the holiday season by attending the festivities at Ghirardelli Square. There's theater, live music, and then at the end they decorate the 45-foot Christmas tree with ornaments, lights, and chocolate bars... yum!

The festivities and excitement of Crab Season begin in November after a priest has blessed the fleet, sending eager crabbers out to land their catch. Local vendors fire up their blackened pots in preparation for the arrival of the delicious, and much sought-after Dungeness Crab. Approximately 1 million pounds of Dungeness crab are caught every year, ensuring that the feast lasts for several months.

Usually held in the first week of October, it's a tribute to the men and women in the armed forces. A flotilla of Navy ships dock on the Wharf in parade fashion, and there are many free deck tours available from crew members. There are also several air displays by the Navy's Blue Angels, Team Oracle, and the Air Force's F-16 Demonstration Team.

San Francisco's main Independence Day celebrations take place on Fisherman's Wharf. There is lots of free entertainment during the day, particularly around Aquatic Park and all down Jefferson St. The festivities culminate with an impressive fireworks display from the foot of Municipal Pier, and at the other end of the Wharf from barges moored off the north of Pier 39.

Chocoholics — indulge your decadent side at this annual chocolate fest. Activities include chocolate tasting, chocolate sculpting, chocolate cooking demonstrations, and a chocolate-eating competition.

An annual boat parade, held on the last Sunday in April, that signals the start of the Northern Californian sailing season. Up to 200 vessels, decked out in full regalia, participate each year and sail from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39. Impartial judges are on hand to award prizes in several esteemed categories. The event is organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association.