Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf. No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to this part of the city. There's a lot to see and do along the historic waterfront. There are beautiful views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and more.
Wax Museum - Located on Jefferson Street in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf the Wax Museum has over 200 figures in elaborate sets.
Ripley's Believe It or Not - The Ripley's museum has over 10,000 square feet of oddities on display.
The Cannery - Was originally built back in 1907 and was the largest peach cannery in the world. Today The Cannery at Del Monte Square features shopping, restaurants, and live entertainment.
And of coarse there's the famous Pier 39 - Some people love it and the cynical ones hate it. It is for certain a classic tourist trap with masses of people and over priced everything. But it does offer some great views of the bay and other parts of the city. It has an antique carousel that you can ride for $3. But the thing I like most about Pier 39 are the sea lions that moved in and call the place home. It's fun to be able to get an up close look at nature in the hustle and bustle of a place like San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.
Some of the things to see include:
Boudin Bakery - Here you can watch through the window as bakers make San Francisco's world famous sourdough bread. Or, you can take a tour of the bakery and museum.
Ghirardelli Square - Offers shopping, dining, and of course their world famous chocolate.
Musee Mecanique - This is a large privately owned collection of antique arcade machines with over 300 items. It's located at Pier 45. It's free to get in to see these unique items and you can actually play them too. But it won't cost you just a nickle anymore, the machines accept quarters now.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien and USS Pampanito - Tour an authentic World War II era ship and submarine.
Copyright 2008
**A recommendation for anyone planning on visiting Fisherman's Wharf. Use public transit. Parking down there is a nightmare and very expensive too. In fact just driving around there is no picnic with the sea of people walking around completely oblivious to the invention of the automobile I'm surprised I've never run over one of the hundreds of people who've just stepped right out in front of me. The street car will take you from just about anywhere in San Francisco to Pier 39 for $1.50 and that's the best deal you'll get all day :)
S.F. Visitor Pages