Fisherman’s Wharf is on every San Francisco traveler’s bucket list — and for good reason. The awe-inspiring bay views, historic ships, water activities, and fresh-off-the-boat seafood make it iconic.
There are lots of attractions and hidden gems you might miss without a local to share them. Luckily, I’m here to highlight the top things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf that locals love. Think of it as the secret side to the famous wharf.
Fisherman’s Wharf is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, a unique park where the local wildlife includes seals, and historic ships and maritime museums replace the usual trees and trails.
This park includes:
I’ll cover more on these attractions below.
Step into the Maritime Museum, and you’ll feel like you’re aboard a 1940s ocean liner. Built in the sleek Streamline Moderne style to resemble a cruise ship, this building was once a bathhouse, then a casino, and now a museum with free admission!
Murals of sea life cover both floors. Exhibits include artifacts of Pacific journeys such as the Mermaid, a 19-foot boat that one man sailed solo from Japan to San Francisco.
History note: These murals are known as WPA murals from the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s, a New Deal project designed to provide economic relief during the Great Depression.
Be sure and ask whether they’re holding a Chantey Sing during your visit. It’s a fun event, especially for kids. The inspiration for it dates to the 1800s. When the wind died and sailors were stuck at sea, they sank sea chanteys to keep their spirits up.
These interactive musical affairs would usually happen aboard the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, but while the dock is being renovated, they take place at the Maritime Museum.
If you can’t get enough of SF’s seafaring history, head to the Maritime Visitor Center in the Cannery Building.
Fun fact: San Francisco boasts the oldest continuous sea chantey sing-along in the world.
If the murals inspired you, there’s more art across the street!
What’s more local than discovering part of the city with a local? Our Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour includes your roundtrip cruise to Alcatraz, but before you head to the ferry, you’ll get an inside look at the very best of Fisherman’s Wharf.
A few of the spots our guide shares include:
And much more. Visit with us, and we’ll reveal the hidden gems and incredible history of Fisherman’s Wharf. There are so many stories to tell here!
Who knew the funny pages were also serving to educate readers about political and social issues? Find out how illustrators used humor to reflect the times at the Cartoon Art Museum.
This small space has comic strip displays, animation shorts, and an exhibit of the Batman costumes used in movies and TV.
While you’re there, you’re encouraged to add one of your sketches to their collection. If you need help, they also offer classes on drawing.
This hidden gem feels more like a museum than your typical visitor center. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center is an under-the-radar Fisherman’s Wharf attraction with a host of immersive exhibits.
It’s highly educational but also entertaining.
Here are some of the topics the exhibits explore:
Don’t miss the center’s award-winning 10-minute film, “The Waterfront: The Sailors Called It Frisco.”
Most days, the rangers are happy to lead free tours at 2:30 p.m. Just ask at the front desk.
If all this talk of maritime life has made you hungry, nearby Scoma‘s is the only restaurant with a fish receiving station. Small fishing boats deliver their catch directly to the receiving station, which they call “pier to plate.”
The waterfront restaurant is popular, serving locals and travelers since 1965. It’s a great place to grab lunch and just soak up the views.
Go local: You can also buy seafood directly from the fishers at Piers 45 and 47. Although Fisherman’s Wharf is known as a tourist attraction, it’s still a working wharf with generations of families operating fishing boats. The world-famous crab season runs from November through June.
One of the cheapest ways to get out on the water is by hailing a taxi — a San Francisco Water Taxi, that is.
For $10, you can ride in a small boat as your skipper shares some of the waterfront history while pointing out historic sites.
For a schedule, look for the yellow and black checkered signs. The taxis, which travel from Scoma’s to Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, usually leave on the hour, weather permitting.
At Musée Mécanique, kids and adults alike can pop quarters into vintage arcade machines dating back to the 1800s and play to their hearts’ content.
This “mechanical museum” is free to visit, worth a stop even if you don’t play a game. (In fact, it’s a stop on our tour — our guides often bring a few quarters to delight guests with the strange but mesmerizing animatronics.)
Highlights include a miniature moving carnival, a Nickelodeon movie of the 1915 World’s Fair, Laffing Sal, a six-foot tall redhead with a maniacal laugh, and a Mighty Wurlitzer Band Organ from 1915, boasting 146 pipes.
Local tip: If you’ve been climbing the streets of San Francisco, it’s worth using your spare change on the vibrating foot massage machine.
In between the fishing boats, seafood restaurants, and touristy spots, there’s a small chapel hiding in plain sight. Listen for the campanile bells to find the Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel across from Pier 45.
Constructed to honor those lost at sea, this small Catholic church includes a stained-glass window with a ship’s wheel, a crystal chandelier with 15 candelabra lights representing the rosary, and an antique banner depicting the patron saint of Sicilian fishermen, Madonna del Lume. It’s also the only church in the Bay Area with Gregorian chants and a traditional Latin mass.
Fun fact: Every October, during Fleet Week, the church holds a memorial mass before the blessing of the ships, a ritual dating back to medieval times.
See how the crew lived aboard a World War II ship on a tour of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 35.
One of the Liberty ships that transported vital supplies to troops during the war, it’s the only one in original condition, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
Now known as the National Liberty Ship Memorial, it’s a fun place to visit if you’re into WWII history. You can walk the same decks as members of the Greatest Generation, be shocked by their crowded bunks, and visit the Engine Room that was used in the “Titanic” movie. On special occasions, like July Fourth or Fleet Week, the ship even ventures out on the bay.
The only free public museum dedicated to the science of sight, the Museum of the Eye will make you glad you are alive today and not, say, 200 years ago.
The historic ophthalmology tools and ancient spectacles are not for the weak of heart. The museum has several exhibits explaining how the eye works, visual disorders, and new scientific advances in the world of eyecare.
You can relive all your memories of visiting San Francisco by playing through miniature landmarks, including the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower and Alcatraz, at the Subpar Miniature Golf Course.
Be sure to celebrate your win with a drink on the sunny deck with views of passing ships.
While you’re at Fisherman’s Wharf, be sure and glance up at the newly restored clock tower at Ghirardelli Square,
After being shrouded in mesh for a year, the red brick and gray slate has been restored to its original 1916 glory.
There’s plenty more to enjoy at Ghirardelli Square, from shopping and dining to art and special events. Ordering the hot fudge sundae at the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop, dating to 1966, is a classic experience. Inside, there are historical touches like antique chocolate-making equipment and the 19-foot “G” from the original marquee. Plus, where else will you see the country’s largest flowing chocolate wall?
Just a couple blocks inland, you’ll find the Norwegian Seaman’s Church. Not technically part of Fisherman’s Wharf, but close by, the church is easily located by the colorful Swedish and Norwegian flags.
The church is typically open to the public, and the friendly staff offer visitors waffles (it’s a Scandinavian thing) on the deck overlooking the bay. A tiny store sells Scandinavian candies and crafted goods that are difficult to find in America.
The Norwegian Seaman’s Church also has a great view of the bay as you can see in the video above!
Local tip: Across the street is one of the city’s newest parks, Francisco Park. Covering a former reservoir, this lush multi-tiered park features swings, several dog runs, and a large reflective chrome heart sculpture for those who leave their hearts in San Francisco but want to remember it on Instagram.
Now you know that despite its reputation as a touristy spot, Fisherman’s Wharf is also beloved by locals. We’re a friendly bunch and love to talk about this city we cherish.
So chat us up at coffee houses, bars (Buena Vista is a fun one), restaurants, and on the cable cars. And our guides love sharing about their passion for the city they call home. If you need travel tips for your visit, just ask!
Some final tips before you go:
We can’t wait to welcome you to San Francisco’s coolest waterfront destination!
