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What I Like to Do in Fisherman's Wharf (Even as a Local)
by Jill Loeffler •
Published: July 28, 2025
I know what you are probably thinking, Fisherman's Wharf? Isn't that super touristy? Should I really visit?
You are right. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, but I still go. A lot. In fact, I was there twice this week working on a new YouTube video and grabbing some clam chowder to warm up on a chilly day.
The thing about this district is, even with the crowds, there's a reason millions of people visit every year. When you know how to cut through the noise, it's actually a fun place to explore.
I live less than a mile away and today I'm sharing 10 spots you don't want to miss. They include some of my favorites as a local, hidden corners, and the classics that even locals like me secretly love!
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Map of the Best Things to Do in Fisherman's Wharf
The Fisherman's Wharf district is small in size and relatively flat. This will make it easy for you to walk from one side to the next as you explore everything it has to offer.
The numbers on the map correspond with the activities on my list. I've also included a second map at the bottom that shows you how to get here from places all around SF.
This is where you can download a printable PDF version with a key for your visit.
1. See the Sea Lions at Pier 39 — They’re Loud, Playful, and Free
The sealion population at Pier 39 ebbs and flows throughout the year. This was from January, when there are quite a few around, but not as many as peak seasons in the spring and fall.There is no way I can build a list of my favorites in Fisherman's Wharf without mentioned its most popular residents. Every day of the year, the sea lions at Pier 39 draw a crowd of admirers.
I love watching as these stinky and playful creatures battle it out on the platforms here. You can see how they love their community (in fact I saw two that looked as if they where holding hands, I mean flippers yesterday), but they aren't afraid to bark at their neighbors.
The largest numbers are here from March to May and August to October.
>> Learn more about the Pier 39 sea lions
2. Visit Alcatraz: A Must for History Buffs and First-Time Visitors
The self-guided audio tour allows you to get right up close to the cells. This is what they look like, and it was one person per cell.Alcatraz is one of the most popular attractions in Fisherman's Wharf. There is nothing like hopping on the ferry, breathing in the salty sea air, and the excitement that builds as you approach the island.
I also love that you can pick how you want to see it. There are currently three tour options. I've been on all of them and I recommend the day tour for first time visitors. It offers the most tour times and is the easiest to fit into a busy schedule.
However, I highly recommend reading about each one before you book your tickets:
- Day Tours: Most popular with almost a dozen tour times each day.
- Night Tours: Leaves in the late afternoon and returns in the evening, only runs a few days a week and longer than the day tour. This one is more eerie and gives you a great sense of what it must have been like to be a prisoner here.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours: This is the longest and most expensive tour. It's only available for a handful of people every day and perfect for those that are really fascinated by the history of Alcatraz.
No matter which tour you choose, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be ready for the climb up that first hill. It's similar to climbing 13 stories. If you aren't able to climb this, look around for the shuttle that is available to take you to the top (first come, first served).
3. Try Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bowl, A Cozy SF Classic
I enjoyed this one at Scoma's in Fisherman's Wharf. It's one of several spots in the district that offers clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.San Francisco is cool and windy most of the year, so there is never a bad time to enjoy some clam chowder.
The way we like to serve it is in a tasty sourdough bread bowl. It's cozy, carby and the kind of thing that warms me up from the inside out, which is perfect for a foggy SF day!
Boudin's is famous for their sourdough bread and it's just one of my favorite places to enjoy it. I also love Scoma's and the Blue Mermaid. However, you can't go wrong with most of the clam chowder spots around Fisherman's Wharf.
>> Find more place to enjoy clam chowder around SF
4. Wander Pier 39: Shops, Sea Views and Unexpected Fun
There's so much to see and do on Pier 39, and one of my favorites is the jellyfish exhibit inside the Aquarium of the Bay.Pier 39 is one of the biggest draws in Fisherman's Wharf. This renovated pier is now home to more than a dozen restaurants and shops.
It feels a little like stepping into a carnival with a historic carousel in the middle and fun rides and games (such as the dipper). This lively spot is one of the best spots to pick up a t-shirt or magnet to remember your visit or even a warm sweatshirt if you missed the memo about SF's cold weather throughout the year.
Another tip I give visitors is to check out the Aquarium of the Bay while they are here. It's a dry way to step into the SF Bay and learn all about the plants and animals that live here. My favorite is the walk through tunnel. I could spend hours watch the fish swim all around me.
Even if you are only in this area for a couple of hours, make sure to walk through this fun entertainment zone.
>> More about what to expect when visiting Pier 39
Day Tours from Fisherman's Wharf: This district is where you can catch a day tour to Muir Woods, Napa, Yosemite, and Monterey. Many of them leave first thing in the morning, which gives you a full day to explore these gems. Check availability and details for the top day tours from SF here.
5. Take a Bay Cruise and Sail Under the Golden Gate Bridge
I took this on a sunny day in October. It looked warm outside, but it was quite chilly, so I stayed inside and enjoyed the views from their indoor seating area. This is one of two times this cruise goes under the bridge.You can't come to San Francisco without heading out on the water. No matter how many times I've jump on one of these cruises, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge still leave me in awe especially when there's a big of wind and fog around it.
The most popular option is the 60-minute bay cruise. Two companies run this cruise, so there are several departure times daily.
>> Pick up tickets for this cruise with the Red and White Fleet
>> Check out some of our other bay cruises
6. Tour a Historic War Ship: USS Pampanito and SS Jeremiah O'Brien
This is the view you will see as you approach the USS Pampanito at Pier 45. The entry is toward the back of the submarine.San Francisco is full of military history and Fisherman's Wharf has two important attractions.
The USS Pampanito is a Balao-class submarine and it's open to the public daily. Exploring the inside of this ship is more fulling if you get the audio tours to hear the stories about what the sailors and this ship lived through.
It also takes a bit of effort to visit. The stairs into the heart of the vessel are steep (make sure to walk down backward for safety) and the doors from one section to the next are tiny, so you have to almost squeeze through them.
The other historic ship is the SS Jeremiah O'Brien. It used to be docked at Pier 45, but is now housed at Pier 35 on the far eastern end of Fisherman's Wharf.
It's one of only two operational Liberty ships from World War II. It's also a rare survivor of D-Day off the coast of Normandy.
While it's interesting walking through the living quarters and working areas of the ship, my favorite part is the museum down below. It's full of stories and historical details about this ship and its role in D-Day.
>> Additional military history sites around San Francisco
7. Ride a Cable Car, A Moving Postcard You'll Never Forget
At special times and holidays throughout the year, you will find one or two cable cars decorated in celebration. This was one of the cable cars dressed up for spring.You can't say you've truly experienced San Francisco without hopping aboard one of our historic cable cars. It's a moving postcard with its familiar bell rings that carry through the streets of San Francisco.
There are two lines running from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square. My favorite is the Powell/Hyde line that offers unparalleled views of the SF Bay as you climb the steep Hyde Street hill.
The other line here is the Powell/Mason line. This one runs through North Beach, past Chinatown and down the hill into Union Square.
My recommendation is to take the Powell/Hyde line from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square and then take the Powell/Mason cable car back.
The cable cars are usually pretty packed from mid-day to early evening, which is why I recommend heading over early in the morning or later in the evening. There aren't as many people around and it will give you a bit more room on your ride.
Also, they can be tough to navigate for those of you that have mobility challenges. The first step is quite steep and there is no other way to get on.
>> What to expect when you ride our historic cable cars
Where to Stay in Fisherman's Wharf
Many first time visitors choose to stay in Fisherman's Wharf. It's close to the waterfront, many top attractions, and tours. Here are a few top picks if you plan to stay here:
- Riu Plaza: This hotel is popular for its location and free breakfast.
- Argonaut Hotel: This is a higher end hotel with a wonderful nautical theme. It's also attached to the Blue Mermaid which is a great spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Holiday Inn Express: This is a more budget friendly option that's also just a couple of blocks from the waterfront.
8. Indulge at Ghirardelli Square: Chocolate, Shops and Sundaes
You can purchase Ghirardelli chocolate squares individually at the stores located on Ghirardelli Square.Ghirardelli Square is where the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory was located. It moved east of San Francisco many years ago and this square is now a tourist destination.
It has some great restaurants and shops, but my go-to indulgence is the towering Ghirardelli sundae full of melty, chocolatey goodness that's big enough to share. I recommend heading to the shop on the western side of the square for shorter lines.
>> Details to visit Ghirardelli Square
9. Play at the Musée Mécanique, A Penny Arcade Time Warp
Musée Mécanique is a spot that a lot of people walk by without stepping inside. It's an arcade with dozens of historic games and artifacts.
I can never get enough of listening to Laffing Sal. As she laughs, she brings back childhood memories for anyone that grew up in the Bay Area or at other local penny arcades.
I love the fact that many of the games and mechanical entertainment machines are still only $.25 to $.50! Each one only takes quarters, but they do have coin machines to turn your dollars into change.
>> More about what you will see inside this hidden gem
10. Sip Irish Coffee at Buena Vista, Warm Up with a Classic
Another classic stop in Fisherman's Wharf is Buena Vista Cafe. When it's cold outside, their Irish coffee is another one of my favorite treats to help warm me up inside.
It's the first place in the US to serve up this tasty beverage and it's famous because of it.
It's a place I love to bring people when they visit not only for the Irish Coffee, but also for their tasty food. They have a great selection of seafood, sandwiches, and pasta. I also love their breakfast/brunch menu.
It's another place I think you will really love during your visit to this district.
>> More places to eat around Fisherman's Wharf
More Tips for Staying or Visiting Fisherman's Wharf
This map shows you the different ways to get to Fisherman's Wharf from around San Francisco including the streetcars and the cable cars.
Here are a few additional guides I created to help you on your visit here.
- Getting from SFO to Fisherman's Wharf
- How to Get Between Fisherman's Wharf and Other Top Attractions
- One Day Itinerary to Explore Fisherman's Wharf
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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