Tips and advice
Casey Makovich

Why You Should Visit Madame Tussauds San Francisco

Traveling to San Francisco and trying to decide what to do? Head to Madame Tussauds San Francisco, a favorite among kids of all ages for a chance to take pictures with all your favorite celebrities. Be sure to check out the newest addition to the Madame Tussauds San Francisco collection, Sam Smith. Get the most out of your time at this exciting San Francisco must-see with these tips for visiting.

Looking for Madame Tussauds San Francisco Discount Tickets?

We’ve got you covered – Madame Tussauds San Francisco admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Tips for Visiting Madame Tussauds San Francisco

  • Check out the Madame Tussauds San Francisco website before you visit to learn about what's inside and which iconic celebrities and stars you’ll run into – it may help you plan your visit.
  • Parking: there are a few neighborhood parking lots to use, parking at the Pier 39 parking lot can get busy during peak times. Metered street parking is available on meters.
  • Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside so plan accordingly and be sure to grab a meal before or after your visit.
  • Like most attractions, Madame Tussauds does not permit large bags or luggage.
  • Madame Tussauds is always adding figures to the exhibit halls. So be sure to check out their social channels and website for the latest and greatest.
  • Bring a selfie stick! If you forget one, don't worry--they have them available for purchase when you check in.
  • Pack an extra battery pack for your camera or cell phone, you'll be taking lots of photos!

For more videos check out the Madame Tussauds San Francisco YouTube Channel.

When to Visit

Because Madame Tussauds is such a rich source of entertainment and fascination, it’s easy to spend several hours here. The museum opens daily at 10:00 am. Aim to arrive early in the day as afternoons tend to be the busiest. With fewer crowds, you'll have a better chance of getting the most opportunities to get up close to all your favorite stars inside.

What to See There

Walk through seven different themed areas, each with its own distinct theme to explore the best and brightest of cinema past, present, and future.

A-List Zone

Check out the most exclusive party in town and visit the A-List Zone which features major stars like Neil Patrick Harris, Leonardo Di Caprio, Laverne Cox, Jimmy Fallon, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, and more. Pretend you're on the red carpet while you're in this exhibit and pose for the paparazzi.

Sports Zone

Love athletes and sporting events? The Sports Zone is filled with top celebrity athletes both local to San Francisco and internationally renowned. Visitors can test their athletic skills against their favorite sporting heroes in the exciting interactive zone. Shoot hoops with Jeremy Lin and take on Joe Montana in an interactive football game.

Spirit of San Francisco

Don’t miss the totally unique Spirit of San Francisco, it's a big hit with the kids and is guaranteed to impress--we're not mentioning which famous San Francisco figures are here, you'll just have to go visit to find out!

Music Zone

A fan of music and the performing arts? Step on stage with your favorite musicians and pop icons to perform with some of the greatest artists on the planet Climb on stage with Adele, slip into Madonna's "Blonde Ambition" tour outfit, play drums for Lady Gaga, duet on the piano with Elton John, and more. Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument or just love music, you'll love the Music Zone. Be sure to check out one of the latest additions to the Madame Tussauds San Francisco collection, Sam Smith. The singer recently visited for the unveiling of his wax likeness and had a blast posing with himself and the other big-time celebs housed at the San Francisco location.

Film

Join the stars on set and recreate some of the most iconic scenes in film history. Pose with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, pedal on a bike with E.T., pose with Whoopi Goldberg as singer Deloris Van Cartier from Sister Act, and more.

Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Head to the Leaders & Entrepreneurs exhibit to witness the moment Johan Sutter first discovered gold, visit an Alcatraz prison cell and experience life behind the bars first-hand, pose with Abraham Lincoln, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and more famous entrepreneurs of the past and present.

Behind the Scenes

Go behind the scenes to learn more about the dramatic and sometimes dark story of Marie Tussaud's life and the legacy she left behind. Marie Tussaud led a fascinating life as a wax sculpture artist who held a position as an artist in the Royal Court in Versailles in 1780. In 1793 she was held as a prisoner of war, along with her mother, in the notorious Laforce Prison in Paris. Learn more at the exhibit! This exhibit is complete with items from the Madame Tussauds archive and every step of the wax figure process is explained using footage by a special guest star.

Nearby Attractions

Located right in Fisherman's Wharf, Madame Tussauds San Francisco is easy to work into a larger touring itinerary. The famous Aquarium of the Bay is a great family-friendly attraction to check out nearby where visitors can see, tough, and learn about the diverse marine life right in San Francisco bay and surrounding waters. Walk through crystal clear tunnels filled with 20,000 aquatic animals, including sharks--the Bay's largest predators. If you're traveling with kids, be sure to stop by the Exploratorium, the most experimental museum in the world, filled with over 600 interactive exhibits that explore the intersection of science and art to stimulate the mind. Get out and explore the Bay on a Red and White Fleet cruise. Sail directly under the the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge on the Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise or circle around Alcatraz and learn chilling accounts about its infamous former inhabitants on the Escape from the Rock cruise. Check out all things odd and bizarre at Ripley's Believe it or Not! ODDitorium for some strange, interactive fun. If you're strapped for time (or want to give your feet a break!), be sure to check out the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour. The tour provides easy transportation around the city and informative information as you ride along and see the sites. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on a self-guided bike tour with a Bay City Bike Rental for stunning photo opportunities at Crissy Field and to check out the cute, seaside town of Sausalito on the other side of the bridge. You should make time to visit The San Francisco Dungeon, a must-see new addition to Fisherman’s Wharf. From features on Gold Miner’s Greed to corrupt courtrooms and the Ghosts of Alcatraz, you’ll take a creative and original path through San Francisco’s history.

Places to Eat Nearby

Madame Tussauds’ prime location in Fisherman's Wharf puts it right in the center of lots of San Francisco attractions with plenty of nearby dining options. If you prefer chain restaurants, Applebee's, IHOP , and Hard Rock Café are great, family-friendly and reliable options within easy walking distance right in the Fisherman's Wharf area. For a unique San Francisco experience, head to Boudin Bakery in Fisherman's Wharf and try some of their famous San Francisco sourdough bread creations like well-crafted sandwiches or soup in a bread bowl -- a great place to pick up some San Francisco souvenirs, too! Head to Alioto's for a great view right on the wharf and Italian fare with lots of seafood options.

Need to Know

Hours

Open at 10:00 am daily. Closing times vary.

Directions & Address

145 Jefferson Street San Francisco, CA 94133 Public Transportation Option One: BART exit at the Embarcadero Station and take F-Line to Fisherman's Wharf. The trolley will drop you directly across the street from our attraction. Option Two: Take Mason Line Cable Car to Bay and Taylor. Walk north toward Jefferson Street, then take a Right onto Jefferson Street and Madame Tussauds is located half a block down on the right side of the street.

Save on Admission

Remember, you can save on admission to Madame Tussauds San Francisco with the all-inclusive Go San Francisco® Card. Visit multiple San Francisco attractions for one low price. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate.

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