Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California, is touristy as hell, but the sea lions, boat cruises and classic sourdough clam chowder make it thoroughly enjoyable.
The appeal of touristy spots in San Francisco
‘Touristy’ places are often very unfairly maligned. After all, there’s usually a very good reason why tourists flock to them (Hard Rock Cafés being the main inexplicable exception to this general rule). And sometimes it’s better to fight the urge to be cool and just run with the crowd. After all, there are only so many pig blood-splattered poetry cafés in terrifying crime-blighted trendy suburbs that you can go to before you realise that trying to be hip all the time isn’t all that much fun.
First impressions of San Francisco
Our first day in San Francisco should have been a shocker. We’d not had much sleep before heading to the airport and the overly enthusiastic consumption of bucket-sized cocktails had led to sizable hangovers to match stinking colds. Frankly, I’d have been happy to write the day off and just have a big, snotty sleep.
But San Francisco is one of those cities that is instantly likeable. The buildings are a colourful jumble, staggering up and down the hillsides like a merry drunk, and the bay setting makes it considerably more picturesque than most US cities. There’s also an instantly engaging vibe.
5 San Francisco experiences worth booking
- 🌉 Combine the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz on a packed day tour.
- 🌲 Take a day trip to the Giant Sequoias and the highlights of Yosemite National Park.
- 🌃 See the city lights at night on a San Francisco Bay cruise.
- 🍷 Go wine-tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys on a full day wine tour.
- ✌️ Hit the hippie hotspots in a colourful VW bus on the San Francisco Love Tour.
Fisherman’s Wharf: the heart of San Francisco tourism
San Francisco has some great, serious attractions, such as Fort Point, Alcatraz, the Walt Disney Family Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. But like all great cities, it has a cast-iron, blatantly obvious tourist trap: in this case, Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a place of souvenir shops, food that’s just about edible and bears little resemblance to the ‘real’ San Fran. Guess where we were staying?
The shameless heart of Fisherman’s Wharf is Pier 39, a large wooden protudence into the bay that has been filled with candy and novelty shops aimed at certain segments of the community (ie. left-handed people, collectors of stained glass and wannabe magicians). On the way up there you’ll be accosted by anything from street entertainers to steel bands. But it’s worth battling through the crowds for, as at the end, there are scores of bad-tempered, honking sea lions to be found. This is one of the best places in California to see sea lions.
Pier 39 sea lions and local treats
The sea lions took up semi-permanent residence on the wooden rafts on the outside of Pier 39 after the 1989 earthquake. Nobody has had the heart/ bravery to move them since, and now they sit there all day, fighting and honking at each other like dive bar pugilists.
On the way back down the pier, we take advantage of one of the other gimmicks: clam chowder in a hollowed-out sourdough roll. It’s a little like a bread cauldron, and it’s a winner as far as I’m concerned (even if San Francisco’s foodies may be horrified).
Boat cruises and Golden Gate views
The other key reason to visit Fisherman’s Wharf is that boat cruises leave from there. And whilst it’s again the most touristy option, you can’t come to the Bay Area and not go on a boat. We’re lucky, the sun is out, the sky is blue and the Golden Gate Bridge hasn’t got a patch of fog round it as we sail under. Better still, there’s a bit of chop in the water, so it feels like a bit of an adventure rather than the soft option. The kite surfers wrestling their equipment seem to agree.
I don’t know about you, but wildlife, novelty food and a boat ride is a close approximation to my perfect day.
Embracing the tourist experience
We’ve spent a day being shameless tourists. And you know what? It’s been great. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Cool can wait for another time.
Visitor information for Fisherman’s Wharf
| Location | Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California |
| Highlights | Sea lions, souvenir shops, clam chowder in sourdough bread, boat cruises under Golden Gate Bridge |
| Boat cruise operators | Various companies depart from Pier 39; tickets start around $35. See pier39.com |
| Opening hours | Shops and attractions generally open from 10am to 9pm, seven days a week |
| Access & transport | Accessible via F Market streetcars, buses, or by car. Parking available nearby but limited |
Things to do near Fisherman’s Wharf
Alcatraz Island – Ferries to the former prison leave from nearby Pier 33, making Alcatraz one of the easiest major San Francisco attractions to combine with a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf. Make sure you get the audio guide.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park – At the western end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this waterfront site includes historic ships and a visitor centre exploring San Francisco’s maritime history.
Ghirardelli Square – A short walk west along the waterfront, this former chocolate factory complex now contains shops, restaurants and places to try Ghirardelli chocolate.
Fort Mason – Just beyond Ghirardelli Square, this former military complex sits beside the Bay and has walking routes, open spaces and views towards Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Coit Tower – Across the neighbourhood on Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower provides panoramic views over Fisherman’s Wharf, the Bay and downtown San Francisco and can be reached on foot or by a short drive.
Alternative attractions
Walt Disney Family Museum – In the Presidio, this museum traces Walt Disney’s life and career through animation artwork, photographs, films and other exhibits.
Exploratorium – On Pier 15, this hands-on science museum has hundreds of interactive exhibits and occupies a waterfront warehouse between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf.
California Academy of Sciences – In Golden Gate Park, this large natural-history complex combines an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and museum under one roof.
Tonga Room – At the Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill, this long-established tiki bar combines Polynesian-inspired décor, live music and its distinctive indoor tropical rainstorm.
San Francisco to Sausalito Ferry – The ferry across San Francisco Bay provides a straightforward alternative way to experience the waterfront, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline along the way.
More San Francisco travel
Other San Francisco travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Review of the Tonga Room tiki bar in San Francisco.
- How much does the San Francisco to Sausalito ferry cost?
- Complete guide to day tours to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco.
- What’s the point of the Wave Organ in San Francisco?
- Get interactive at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
