Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour (Self Guided), San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf, by far one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations, offers a mix of waterfront history, family attractions, and lively street scenes. Originally a working fishing port, the area has evolved into a hub of activity where visitors can still spot crab pots and fishing boats, though the focus today is more on entertainment, food, and sightseeing. Regardless of the weather—be it under the sun or the city’s famous fog—a stroll through the Wharf is a memorable experience.
A central highlight is Pier 39, a busy shopping and entertainment complex with views of Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay. Pier 39 is filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, and street performers. Next door, the Aquarium of the Bay draws visitors with its walk-through glass tunnels and exhibits of marine life native to the bay, including sharks, rays, and jellyfish. On the same pier, the Sea Lion Center offers a chance to watch a large group of sea lions lounging and barking on the docks, a sight that has become a beloved local tradition.
As visitors walk along Jefferson Street, they’ll encounter seafood stands, street musicians, and small museums. The Boudin Bakery Museum offers a look into the city’s famous sourdough bread-making tradition. Guests can watch bakers in action and even buy novelty-shaped loaves, like sourdough crabs. Another notable stop is the Mechanical Museum, a quirky collection of old arcade machines—many still in working order—ranging from fun to eerie.
The historic side of the Wharf continues at Pier 45, where two preserved World War II ships are docked: the USS Pampanito, a submarine, and the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a Liberty ship. Visitors can board and explore these vessels to get a closer look at the city’s maritime history.
For those interested in exploring at their own pace, a self-guided walking tour is a great way to take in the area. Tourist-heavy though it may be, Fisherman’s Wharf still offers authentic glimpses into San Francisco’s past and present. From sea lions and sourdough to submarines and scenic views, it’s a place worth spending an afternoon to fully experience.
A central highlight is Pier 39, a busy shopping and entertainment complex with views of Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay. Pier 39 is filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, and street performers. Next door, the Aquarium of the Bay draws visitors with its walk-through glass tunnels and exhibits of marine life native to the bay, including sharks, rays, and jellyfish. On the same pier, the Sea Lion Center offers a chance to watch a large group of sea lions lounging and barking on the docks, a sight that has become a beloved local tradition.
As visitors walk along Jefferson Street, they’ll encounter seafood stands, street musicians, and small museums. The Boudin Bakery Museum offers a look into the city’s famous sourdough bread-making tradition. Guests can watch bakers in action and even buy novelty-shaped loaves, like sourdough crabs. Another notable stop is the Mechanical Museum, a quirky collection of old arcade machines—many still in working order—ranging from fun to eerie.
The historic side of the Wharf continues at Pier 45, where two preserved World War II ships are docked: the USS Pampanito, a submarine, and the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a Liberty ship. Visitors can board and explore these vessels to get a closer look at the city’s maritime history.
For those interested in exploring at their own pace, a self-guided walking tour is a great way to take in the area. Tourist-heavy though it may be, Fisherman’s Wharf still offers authentic glimpses into San Francisco’s past and present. From sea lions and sourdough to submarines and scenic views, it’s a place worth spending an afternoon to fully experience.
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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: 7
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 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: 7
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Author: doris
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Pier 39
- Aquarium of the Bay
- Sea Lion Center
- Jefferson Street
- Boudin Bakery Museum
- Musee Mecanique (Mechanical Museum)
- Pier 45
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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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) Jefferson Street
Jefferson Street serves as the vibrant main artery through San Francisco's bustling Fisherman’s Wharf, stretching from Powell Street to the scenic Maritime National Park. Lined with stately London plane trees, polished streetlamps, and expansive 15-foot-wide sidewalks, this street blends seaside charm with urban flair. Repurposed warehouses and early 20th-century factory facades now house tourist shops, seafood restaurants, and lively attractions—offering a seamless transition from city bustle to waterfront tranquillity.
The historic brick‑paved F Market & Wharves line runs along Jefferson Street, providing a nostalgic ride through the heart of the Wharf. This heritage streetcar, operating since 1995, connects visitors to nearby attractions like Pier 41 ferries and the iconic Hyde Street Pier. The area’s design improvements, such as striped pavement, widened pathways, and bike racks, were introduced in the early 2010s to create a more pedestrian-friendly boulevard.
Along the way, travelers encounter a tapestry of flavors and histories. Classic seafood spots like the famed fish stalls, casual eateries, and memorabilia shops anchor the Keystone Wharf vibe. Periodic street performers—including the legendary “Bushman” near Jefferson and Hyde—add a playful and unpredictable energy to the stroll.
Beyond dining and entertainment, Jefferson Street offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay framed by the Maritime Park promenade and bustling docks.
The historic brick‑paved F Market & Wharves line runs along Jefferson Street, providing a nostalgic ride through the heart of the Wharf. This heritage streetcar, operating since 1995, connects visitors to nearby attractions like Pier 41 ferries and the iconic Hyde Street Pier. The area’s design improvements, such as striped pavement, widened pathways, and bike racks, were introduced in the early 2010s to create a more pedestrian-friendly boulevard.
Along the way, travelers encounter a tapestry of flavors and histories. Classic seafood spots like the famed fish stalls, casual eateries, and memorabilia shops anchor the Keystone Wharf vibe. Periodic street performers—including the legendary “Bushman” near Jefferson and Hyde—add a playful and unpredictable energy to the stroll.
Beyond dining and entertainment, Jefferson Street offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay framed by the Maritime Park promenade and bustling docks.
5) 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 – 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 – a creative work of culinary art that you will long remember.
6) Musee Mecanique (Mechanical Museum)
If you're looking for mind-blowing, inexpensive fun in San Francisco, here's a hidden gem: the Musée Mécanique, located at Pier 45 in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, right near all the famous historic restaurants like Alioto's and Tarantino's.
First of all, this place does not charge admission – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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.
7) Pier 45
Pier 45, tucked into the lively Fisherman’s Wharf district, is a rich tapestry of San Francisco’s maritime and wartime heritage. As you stroll onto the pier, its raw industrial charm immediately signals a departure from the nearby souvenir shops and seafood stalls. Instead, Pier 45 offers a low-key yet deeply resonant experience—highlighted by the historic USS Pampanito submarine, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien Liberty ship, a heartfelt chapel dedicated to lost fishermen, and the whimsical Musée Mécanique arcade.
Standing at the pier’s edge, the gleaming USS Pampanito emerges as a focal point. This fully restored World War II diesel-electric submarine conducted six Pacific patrols, sinking multiple enemy vessels, and now operates as both memorial and museum. Visitors can explore compartments like the torpedo room, control room, and cramped sleeping quarters, using self-guided or audio tours that bring the “silent service” to life. Nearby, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien—one of the last remaining operational Liberty ships—lies at the adjacent Pier 35, though once docked at Pier 45 itself.
Beyond naval history, Pier 45 is home to the Mechanical Museum, a delightfully nostalgic, interactive collection of over 300 mechanical arcade games, from fortune-tellers to Laffing Sal automata. Free to enter, the museum invites playful exploration with a handful of quarters—ideal for families or retro enthusiasts. The pier’s small chapel, honoring fishermen lost at sea, adds a poignant moment of reflection amid the bustling wharf.
Pier 45 also remains a working waterfront: local fishers process more than 21 million pounds of seafood annually, and you can often watch dawn-crabbing or buy fresh-caught fish. As Fisherman’s Wharf undergoes a $10 million revitalisation—including a new plaza, floating dock, and added food and museum venues—the pier promises a blend of lively culture and timeless history. For visitors seeking a taste of San Francisco’s maritime soul, Pier 45 offers compelling stories, hands-on discovery, and unforgettable waterside atmosphere.
Standing at the pier’s edge, the gleaming USS Pampanito emerges as a focal point. This fully restored World War II diesel-electric submarine conducted six Pacific patrols, sinking multiple enemy vessels, and now operates as both memorial and museum. Visitors can explore compartments like the torpedo room, control room, and cramped sleeping quarters, using self-guided or audio tours that bring the “silent service” to life. Nearby, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien—one of the last remaining operational Liberty ships—lies at the adjacent Pier 35, though once docked at Pier 45 itself.
Beyond naval history, Pier 45 is home to the Mechanical Museum, a delightfully nostalgic, interactive collection of over 300 mechanical arcade games, from fortune-tellers to Laffing Sal automata. Free to enter, the museum invites playful exploration with a handful of quarters—ideal for families or retro enthusiasts. The pier’s small chapel, honoring fishermen lost at sea, adds a poignant moment of reflection amid the bustling wharf.
Pier 45 also remains a working waterfront: local fishers process more than 21 million pounds of seafood annually, and you can often watch dawn-crabbing or buy fresh-caught fish. As Fisherman’s Wharf undergoes a $10 million revitalisation—including a new plaza, floating dock, and added food and museum venues—the pier promises a blend of lively culture and timeless history. For visitors seeking a taste of San Francisco’s maritime soul, Pier 45 offers compelling stories, hands-on discovery, and unforgettable waterside atmosphere.
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