With so much to see, do and experience in San Francisco, planning a getaway can be overwhelming for a novice. What to do first? Where to eat? What “must see” places to do first? There is no shortage of historic attractions to seek out and explore in San Francisco: Alcatraz Island, North Beach, the Embarcadero, Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, the Castro District, and more.
But one place that any visit to the San Franciscan absolutely must include is a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. While it may now be widely recognized primarily as a stop on any tourist’s itinerary, Fisherman’s Wharf remains a fully functioning pier for the real fishermen.
The Wharf is home to a fleet of fishermen, many of whom are multi-generational, who have been responsible for harvesting Dungeness crabs for over a century. You can buy live, whole (cooked) crab without difficulty. Crab season takes place in November each year and is a major historical event in San Francisco. If your trip coincides with this event and you are a seafood lover, you are in for a surprise! If you are an early riser, it is recommended to take a trip to the pier in the early hours of the morning, as you will have the opportunity to experience the fishermen at work in their element.
The Wharf is also filled with entertainment of various kinds. Presented in a boardwalk style, visitors will have the opportunity to visit and see local attractions such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, which bills itself as the “Home of the Weird and Unusual,” where you can see things like a giant 23-foot-tall teddy bear, a five-legged calf, tribal artifacts collected from around the world, and even vampires and cemeteries. !
For nautical enthusiasts and war history buffs, there’s the Maritime Museum, which offers visitors a chance to see the SS Jeremiah O’Brien Liberty and the USS Pampanito submarine, as well as the sights, Authentic sounds and stories of the maritime history of the Pacific Rim.
During the day, you can take a tour of the pier. Using the 27 signs posted along the pier, you can give yourself a crash course in the history of Fisherman’s Wharf. The self-guided tour is a great way to tour the entire area, learn some facts and history about the place, and enjoy the multitude of colourful, fun and entertaining street performers that will abound.
Foodies won’t be left out of the fun at Fisherman’s Wharf. The seafood available is some of the best in the world, and many of the edibles long associated with San Francisco, such as exotic chocolates and sourdough bread, are readily available. The gastronomic offer ranges from take-away food stalls to haute cuisine restaurants where your options are not limited to seafood.
If shopping is your thing, there are plenty of opportunities to do so on the Wharf. The boardwalk is lined with shops offering many unique products from the area, as well as the usual tourist-oriented products. Shopping facilities include the Northpoint Mall, where you can access ATMs, currency exchange, shoe repair, a day spa, and a 24-hour fitness center, as well as many other shops and services.
A trip to Fisherman’s Wharf is sure to be a wonderful and fun-filled adventure that will bring back many great memories, don’t miss out!