Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour (Self Guided), San Francisco
If it's a hot, sunny day or the one filled with San Francisco's iconic fog, a walk through Fisherman's Wharf can feel quite special all the same. Sure, you'll be surrounded by tourists, but the smells of good food and the sights of a legendary seaport (the one where a few lovingly preserved, historic vessels are still docked and open to visitors) will make you happy.
At the heart of Fisherman's Wharf lies a collection of diverse attractions that cater to a wide range of interests.
The Aquarium of the Bay, featuring a variety of local marine life and interactive exhibits, is a great place for marine enthusiasts. Nearby, Pier 39 is a bustling spot renowned for its shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. Visitors can also witness the playful, barking sea lions at the Sea Lion Center, a unique experience that adds to the charm of the area.
History buffs can explore the Boudin Bakery Museum, which delves into the city's sourdough bread-making heritage. For those interested in celebrity culture, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is home to lifelike wax figures of famous personalities. Meanwhile, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum offers a collection of oddities and curiosities that will leave you amazed.
The Mechanical Museum (Musee Mecanique) is a hidden gem showcasing vintage arcade games and mechanical wonders. Anchorage Square is perfect for shopping and dining, offering a variety of boutiques and eateries.
Hyde Street Pier and the National Maritime Museum are ideal for maritime history buffs, featuring historic ships and exhibits on San Francisco's maritime heritage. Finally, Ghirardelli Square is a sweet treat haven, known for its world-famous chocolate and charming shops.
Should you ever decide to explore Fisherman's Wharf by yourself on your next trip to San Francisco, our self-guided tour will come in handy. So, do make some time for this exciting area! You won't regret it.
At the heart of Fisherman's Wharf lies a collection of diverse attractions that cater to a wide range of interests.
The Aquarium of the Bay, featuring a variety of local marine life and interactive exhibits, is a great place for marine enthusiasts. Nearby, Pier 39 is a bustling spot renowned for its shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. Visitors can also witness the playful, barking sea lions at the Sea Lion Center, a unique experience that adds to the charm of the area.
History buffs can explore the Boudin Bakery Museum, which delves into the city's sourdough bread-making heritage. For those interested in celebrity culture, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is home to lifelike wax figures of famous personalities. Meanwhile, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum offers a collection of oddities and curiosities that will leave you amazed.
The Mechanical Museum (Musee Mecanique) is a hidden gem showcasing vintage arcade games and mechanical wonders. Anchorage Square is perfect for shopping and dining, offering a variety of boutiques and eateries.
Hyde Street Pier and the National Maritime Museum are ideal for maritime history buffs, featuring historic ships and exhibits on San Francisco's maritime heritage. Finally, Ghirardelli Square is a sweet treat haven, known for its world-famous chocolate and charming shops.
Should you ever decide to explore Fisherman's Wharf by yourself on your next trip to San Francisco, our self-guided tour will come in handy. So, do make some time for this exciting area! You won't regret it.
How it works: Download the app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » San Francisco (See other walking tours in San Francisco)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Author: doris
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: USA » San Francisco (See other walking tours in San Francisco)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Author: doris
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Pier 39
- Aquarium of the Bay
- Sea Lion Center
- Boudin Bakery Museum
- Musee Mecanique (Mechanical Museum)
1) Pier 39 (must see)
Pier 39, the focal point of Fisherman's Wharf, may not have the same fishing fleet that it once had (back at the turn of the 20th century), but it compensates it with carnival-like amusements and a two-story carousel (which is not quite visible from the street but sits closer towards the pier's end). Revitalized in the 1970s to resemble a quaint wooden fishing village, this pier draws thousands of tourists every day.
It is really more like a big outdoor shopping mall packed to the rim with stores, restaurants, and various attractions, like a video arcade, street shows, the Aquarium of the Bay, and virtual 3D rides. On the plus side, the visitor center offers luggage storage and free phone-charging stations.
Famous for seafood, Pier 39 is home to 14 full-service restaurants boasting some of the freshest and most delicious offerings. At Fog Harbor Fish House, you can get more than just classic waterfront favorites, such as oysters and cioppino fish stew; all seafood on the menu is locally-sourced and sustainable. Also, check out the floating Forbes Island restaurant for some freshly-caught fruits of the sea.
The top reason to visit the pier is to see the sea lions, San Francisco's favorite mascot. These marine mammals made themselves comfortable on this coveted waterfront real estate in 1989 and have been tanning on its wooden boat slips ever since. A little bit stinky, perhaps, they look quite happy and add a great deal of popularity to the place.
From this pier, you can also see Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, and the Bay bridges. Tickets for boat and ferry rides to different locations in the area are also sold here.
Tip:
Regardless of the season, it can get windy at times, so bringing along a jacket is always recommended.
It is really more like a big outdoor shopping mall packed to the rim with stores, restaurants, and various attractions, like a video arcade, street shows, the Aquarium of the Bay, and virtual 3D rides. On the plus side, the visitor center offers luggage storage and free phone-charging stations.
Famous for seafood, Pier 39 is home to 14 full-service restaurants boasting some of the freshest and most delicious offerings. At Fog Harbor Fish House, you can get more than just classic waterfront favorites, such as oysters and cioppino fish stew; all seafood on the menu is locally-sourced and sustainable. Also, check out the floating Forbes Island restaurant for some freshly-caught fruits of the sea.
The top reason to visit the pier is to see the sea lions, San Francisco's favorite mascot. These marine mammals made themselves comfortable on this coveted waterfront real estate in 1989 and have been tanning on its wooden boat slips ever since. A little bit stinky, perhaps, they look quite happy and add a great deal of popularity to the place.
From this pier, you can also see Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, and the Bay bridges. Tickets for boat and ferry rides to different locations in the area are also sold here.
Tip:
Regardless of the season, it can get windy at times, so bringing along a jacket is always recommended.
2) Aquarium of the Bay
Spread across 9,000 square feet, the Aquarium of the Bay is an insightful, fun visit for people of all ages; a place like no other in the world, where you get to touch, feel and see the world that exists under water, experiencing what it takes to be a deep sea diver 鈥� without actually getting wet.
The aquarium boasts of a collection of over 50 different species of sharks, as well as a wide variety of marine wildlife like skates, bat rays and thousands of other animals including eels, flatfish, rockfish, wrasse, gobies, kelpfish, pricklebacks, sculpin and sturgeons. A river otter exhibit opened in 2013, with snow placed in the otter enclosure periodically during the winter, in what are called "Otter Snow Days."
The top attraction, however, is the underwater exhibit, which allows guests spectacular close-ups as they pass through clear tunnels within large tanks, each filled with fish, sharks, crustaceans, and other marine life. Another point that elevates the experience to the memorable is the presence of touch pools upstairs, where kids and adults can feed and touch the slimy, squishy creatures. If you haven't seen them in the wild, seeing them up close will be quite fun!
Why You Should Visit:
Cool little aquarium with a pleasing emphasis on the environment and sustainability.
Huge underwater tunnels with a large variety of fish to see!
Tip:
Pay the extra to do the behind the scenes tour (available only on certain days) where you literally walk above the tanks and all the people inside the aquarium.
The aquarium boasts of a collection of over 50 different species of sharks, as well as a wide variety of marine wildlife like skates, bat rays and thousands of other animals including eels, flatfish, rockfish, wrasse, gobies, kelpfish, pricklebacks, sculpin and sturgeons. A river otter exhibit opened in 2013, with snow placed in the otter enclosure periodically during the winter, in what are called "Otter Snow Days."
The top attraction, however, is the underwater exhibit, which allows guests spectacular close-ups as they pass through clear tunnels within large tanks, each filled with fish, sharks, crustaceans, and other marine life. Another point that elevates the experience to the memorable is the presence of touch pools upstairs, where kids and adults can feed and touch the slimy, squishy creatures. If you haven't seen them in the wild, seeing them up close will be quite fun!
Why You Should Visit:
Cool little aquarium with a pleasing emphasis on the environment and sustainability.
Huge underwater tunnels with a large variety of fish to see!
Tip:
Pay the extra to do the behind the scenes tour (available only on certain days) where you literally walk above the tanks and all the people inside the aquarium.
3) Sea Lion Center
Pier 39 is famous for the sea lions snuggling up in the sun or taking a dip in the bay. They bark at each other, bite each other, walk over each other, but amazingly still remain friends. After you spectate them on close range, walk up the stairs to the Sea Lion Center 鈥� a great place to learn more about these sweet creatures and how you can make a great impact.
The staff at the Center are very knowledgeable and can answer any question you have about the sea lions. Although it is a small museum, it is packed with information. Exhibits include a sea lion skeleton as well as interactive videos. Best part of this place is that it's free 鈥� though they do have a donation box if you are able to spare a couple dollars.
Nice small educational center/museum to add to your itinerary!
The staff at the Center are very knowledgeable and can answer any question you have about the sea lions. Although it is a small museum, it is packed with information. Exhibits include a sea lion skeleton as well as interactive videos. Best part of this place is that it's free 鈥� though they do have a donation box if you are able to spare a couple dollars.
Nice small educational center/museum to add to your itinerary!
4) Boudin Bakery Museum
At the Boudin Bakery Museum you are welcomed into the rich history of the 'sourdough bread', the delicious French loaf that immigrants brought along with them in the mid-19th century, also referred to as the 'Original San Francisco Sourdough'.
The bakery is said to have been established by Isidore Boudin, son of a family of master bakers from Burgundy, France, at the time when the city became a magnet for gold seekers. Coming from a family of French bakers, the Boudins concocted a unique recipe where they blended the sourdough prevalent among miners in the Gold Rush with French techniques. For reasons unclear, this particular yeast mix cannot survive outside the Bay Area, so it's a uniquely local product.
The other unique thing here is that you can sit and watch the bakers at work as they mix the dough and run around the kitchen pulling batches in and out of the oven. There is also a museum outlining the history of the site and sourdough bread in SF, as well as a gift shop with a range of artisan foods. Long may the mother dough continue to grow!
Tip:
The most unique food to eat is the clam chowder bread bowl, which is a hollowed out loaf of sourdough bread with the soup inside. Another standout is the avocado roll 鈥� a creative work of culinary art that you will long remember.
The bakery is said to have been established by Isidore Boudin, son of a family of master bakers from Burgundy, France, at the time when the city became a magnet for gold seekers. Coming from a family of French bakers, the Boudins concocted a unique recipe where they blended the sourdough prevalent among miners in the Gold Rush with French techniques. For reasons unclear, this particular yeast mix cannot survive outside the Bay Area, so it's a uniquely local product.
The other unique thing here is that you can sit and watch the bakers at work as they mix the dough and run around the kitchen pulling batches in and out of the oven. There is also a museum outlining the history of the site and sourdough bread in SF, as well as a gift shop with a range of artisan foods. Long may the mother dough continue to grow!
Tip:
The most unique food to eat is the clam chowder bread bowl, which is a hollowed out loaf of sourdough bread with the soup inside. Another standout is the avocado roll 鈥� a creative work of culinary art that you will long remember.
5) Musee Mecanique (Mechanical Museum)
If you're looking for mind-blowing, inexpensive fun in San Francisco, here's a hidden gem: the Mus茅e M茅canique, located at Pier 45 in the heart of Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf, right near all the famous historic restaurants like Alioto's and Tarantino's.
First of all, this place does not charge admission 鈥� it's totally free; just be prepared to spend a few bucks in quarters to have a blast! Basically, what you have here is the world's coolest, most fascinating game arcade, where you can play everything from Galaga to 1960s pinball machines to Whack-a-Mole to air hockey to Ms. Pac-Man. The place drips with nostalgia and just plain fun. It also appeals to folks of all ages and backgrounds 鈥� tourists, locals, teens, parents, hipsters, you name it.
Why You Should Visit:
Very much worth it for the world's most extensive collection of antique arcade games, including penny-operated nickelodeons and elaborate player pianos, some of which are more than a hundred years old. Yes, they even have laughing fortune tellers, a vintage mutoscope, and many other quirky machines from the early 20th century.
Tip:
Make sure to bring cash to convert to quarters as that's the only way to play.
First of all, this place does not charge admission 鈥� it's totally free; just be prepared to spend a few bucks in quarters to have a blast! Basically, what you have here is the world's coolest, most fascinating game arcade, where you can play everything from Galaga to 1960s pinball machines to Whack-a-Mole to air hockey to Ms. Pac-Man. The place drips with nostalgia and just plain fun. It also appeals to folks of all ages and backgrounds 鈥� tourists, locals, teens, parents, hipsters, you name it.
Why You Should Visit:
Very much worth it for the world's most extensive collection of antique arcade games, including penny-operated nickelodeons and elaborate player pianos, some of which are more than a hundred years old. Yes, they even have laughing fortune tellers, a vintage mutoscope, and many other quirky machines from the early 20th century.
Tip:
Make sure to bring cash to convert to quarters as that's the only way to play.
Walking Tours in San Francisco, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chinatown Walking Tour
The San Francisco Chinatown is home to one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is also renowned as a major tourist attraction in the city, drawing annually more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its establishment, in 1848, this enclave has been instrumental in the preservation of the history, culture, language, religion, and identity of the ethnic Chinese in the United... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour
A commercial and cultural hub of northern California, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination known for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of world-famous landmarks. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the teeth-rattling cable cars carrying riders up and down Nob Hill, Alcatraz Island, and the oldest Chinatown in North America are just some of the city's prominent attractions, each... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour
San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Castro District Walking Tour
It's a well-known fact that San Francisco is the place where the gay and lesbian culture flourished in its modernity in the mid-20th century. The Castro District, where the rainbow flag is flying high, houses several iconic locations that have played pivotal roles in LGBTQ+ history and continue to be celebrated today.
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour
North Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Bursting with history, culture, and diverse attractions, this fun area features a great mix of architecture, museums, restaurants, and old shops.
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Union Square Walking Tour
Union Square, a bustling hub in the heart of San Francisco, is a place where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy a mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions. In addition to being the third largest shopping area in the United States, the square features an array of restaurants, theaters, and a wonderful concentration of fine art galleries.
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco
Home to many historic landmarks, such as Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Alcatraz, San Francisco is closely associated with many iconic images of the American culture, such as Levi's jeans, baseball, and hippie movement. Modern Frisco carefully preserves its legacy by keeping it alive...
Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to the most delicious artisan chocolates! From the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory to New American TCHO chocolates, there are many local chocolate boutiques and factories to visit where you might be treated to a few samples. From exotic flavors such as lavender-walnut...
The Most Popular Cities
/ view all