10+ Things to Do at Fisherman’s Wharf During Your Trip to San Francisco

By Katie Sagal

San Francisco is a cultural mecca, filled with art and inspiration at every turn. It’s the perfect vacation destination for couples and families with diverse interests, too, because there truly is something for everyone in the City by the Bay. You can explore unique museums, relax on sightseeing cruises, and discover something new on a tour – all without leaving the popular neighborhood of Fisherman’s Wharf! If you’re looking for things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf and nearby areas during your trip to San Francisco, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...

  • Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour
  • Golden Gate Bay Cruise
  • Aquarium of the Bay
  • Angel Island Round Trip Ferry
  • Madame Tussauds San Francisco
  • Bike Rentals
  • And more!

Save on Fisherman’s Wharf Attraction Admission

Admission to many of these top San Francisco attractions and activities and more are included on the Go San Francisco® Card. Choose as you go from many top attractions and save up to 60% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Escape From the Rock Cruise

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Water, Waterfront, Ferry, Person, Spend 90 exciting minutes on a journey around the country’s most intimidating former prison: Alcatraz Island. Recently voted the top site in America, Alcatraz is filled with stories both thrilling and chilling. Hear all about daring escape plans and the daily lives of prisoners who once inhabited this eerie isle on a fully-narrated cruise – complete with full sound effects! Getting In: Escape From the Rock tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Sail under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the impressive Bay Bridge on this comprehensive cruise. This exciting 90-minute excursion will escort passengers by major landmarks and attractions, including Alcatraz Island, the Ferry Building, and even AT&T Park. It's actually the only cruise that escorts you under both bridges, so this cruise is a nice unique option. Getting In: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Flag, Person, A shorter but no less interesting cruise option out of Fisherman’s Wharf is the Golden Gate Bay Cruise. Enjoy an hour filled with informative narration about important local sights and sounds, with chances to see top attractions like Angel Island State Park, Alcatraz Island, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. When you return to port, be sure to keep an eye out for the USS Pampanito (see below for more on that) and the famous Pier 39 sea lions. Getting In: Golden Gate Bay Cruise tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Aquarium of the Bay

Image of Animal, Sea Life, Jellyfish, Animal lovers won’t want to miss this delightful aquarium with a specific focus on the marine life of the San Francisco Bay. Walk through their amazing glass tunnels for a chance to see 20,000 aquatic critters, from petite moon jellies to large sevengill sharks. Kids will especially love the Touch the Bay exhibit! Especially popular exhibits include the jellyfish tank in "Go With the Flow" and the four playful river otters that call the Aquarium home. Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Angel Island Round Trip Ferry

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Neighborhood, Water, Waterfront, Newfoundland, Sea, City, Spend some time on Angel Island, one of the top historical attractions in the Bay Area. The island itself is a California Historical Landmark because of its eclectic history, featuring at various points in time military installations and an immigration center. A visit here also provides unparalleled views of the San Francisco skyline. Getting In: Angel Island Ferry tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

USS Pampanito

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Boy, Teen, Female, Woman, Light, Electronics, A World War II veteran, this Balao class submarine is today a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy a pre-recorded tour (via headset) that escorts you throughout the ship and highlights each distinct area with fun information. Because this is an historic vessel still undergoing preservation, you'll also get to learn about plans for the future memorial site. Getting In: USS Pampanito tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! San Francisco

Image of Light, Head to Ripley’s for the weirdest experience of your vacation. With dozens of hands-on exhibits and intriguing artifacts, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is a fun and fascinating place for kids of all ages to explore. Some highlights include duct tape art, wire sculptures, a mummified foot from Egypt, and much more. Adults will particularly love their Toy/Candy Factory, which features all your nostalgic childhood favs. Getting In: Ripley’s Believe it or Not! San Francisco tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

The San Francisco Dungeon

Image of Cup, Hat, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Male, Man, Bride, Costume, Group Performance, Photography, Portrait, Enjoy seeing the dirty details of San Francisco’s shadier side brought to life in a fun and campy way at this attraction. Begin your adventure with a sudden, exhilarating drop down into the attraction. Then, you'll enjoy a 60-minute boat ride that escorts you through the city's dark past. The San Francisco Dungeon also features a number of live theatrical performers who re-enact local top local stories about historical gold mining, old San Francisco gangs, ghosts of Alcatraz, and much more. It's more fun than scary, so it's perfectly kid-appropriate, too. Getting In: San Francisco Dungeon tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

The best way to explore San Francisco begins right in Fisherman’s Wharf with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour. Learn all about top local landmarks and sites with 20+ stops in Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, North Beach, and more. It couldn’t be easier to customize your own trip with the ability to hop on and off, too! Getting In: Hop On Hop Off San Francisco Bus Tour by Big Bus admission is included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Madame Tussauds San Francisco

Image of Accessories, Belt, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, People, Male, Man, Necklace, Laptop, Hat, Head, Face, Happy, With seven different themed galleries and dozens of wax figures, Madame Tussauds San Francisco is filled with lifelike recreations of actors, musicians, athletes, historical figures, and much more. Be sure to check out the “Spirit of San Francisco” exhibit, which showcases the city’s most significant cultural and historic moments. Getting In: Madame Tussauds San Francisco tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

All-Day Comfort Bike Rental

Image of Neighborhood, Helmet, Shoe, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Girl, Teen, Bicycle, Vehicle, Car, City, Cycling, Suburb, Handbag, Explore San Francisco on two wheels with a bike rental from Blazing Saddles. This is a very bike-friendly culture, so expect many scenic paths throughout the city streets and along the waterfront – although you should also be prepared for some pretty hilly rides! Take advantage of a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and get a little exercise on your vacation, all while touring this gorgeous city. Getting In: San Francisco bike rentals by Blazing Saddles are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

Musée Mécanique

Image of If you love exploring the quirkier side of San Francisco – and trust us, there’s plenty of that to go around – then a can’t-miss attraction is the Musée Mécanique. This delightful little museum features a significant collection of privately owned mechanical musical instruments, figurines, and arcade games – all still in perfect working condition! Getting In: Admission to the Musée Mécanique is free!

Activities Departing from Fisherman’s WharfFull Day Wine Country Tour

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Male, Man, Monitor, Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor, Wine, Embark on a day trip out to California wine country with a convenient bus trip that picks up and drops off right on Fisherman’s Wharf. Head out to Napa and Sonoma, where you’ll tour several of the region’s best wineries. Enjoy tours and tastings at each stop, and purchase a bottle (or two!) of your favorites. You’ll learn all about California wine culture, too. Getting In: Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour tickets are an included attraction option with the Go San Francisco® Card Build Your Own Pass.

Embarcadero & Nearby AttractionsExploratorium

Image of Boy, Child, Male, Person, Light, Kids will absolutely love the chance to spend an afternoon at San Francisco’s most interactive institution designed just for them – the Exploratorium! With hundreds of interactive exhibits that range from massive art installations to tiny tinkering opportunities, they'll never run out of things to enjoy. Be sure to check out their rotating special exhibits as well! Getting In: Exploratorium tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® Card.

City Lights Booksellers & Publishers

Visit one of the most iconic literary landmarks in all of San Francisco – City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. With roots stretching back to the Beat Era, this venue is steeped in history. City Lights offers three stories of amazing literature than spans every conceivable genre, so you’re bound to found something to love among these books. Getting In: Entry to City Lights Booksellers & Publishers is free.

The San Francisco Maritime Museum

Located in the charming Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building, the Maritime Museum features a wide variety of art and artifacts that reflects on the maritime culture of San Francisco and around the world. It’s the perfect place for anyone interested in maritime history, with its impressive collections of historic maps and photographs, engineer’s drawings, small craft, and so much more. Getting In: Admission to the San Francisco Maritime Museum is free.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

So there are our top recommendations for things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf and surrounding areas during your trip to San Francisco. Don’t forget – many of these great attraction options and more are included on the Go San Francisco® Card, which helps you save up to 60% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. We hope you consider adding a few of these fun options to your San Francisco vacation plans.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
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San Francisco in May

With spring drawing to an end ready to usher in San Francisco’s busy summer season, May is a fine time to visit the Golden City, thanks to its mild climate and the kicking off in earnest of the city’s colorful festival season. If it’s pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and affordable accommodation you’re after, May in the Bay could well be for you. Visiting San Francisco in May Average Temperature: 51–64°F • Average Rainfall: 3 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Daytime temperatures in May reach average highs in the mid-60s, meaning it's still cool enough to explore the city on foot. So the chances of looking like you’ve just stepped off a treadmill in those essential hilltop selfies are vastly reduced. There’s also little or no need to remember to pack an umbrella. April showers having apparently purged the clouds of their cargo for the foreseeable future, you can expect a mere three days of rain on average in May. Better yet, hotel prices have yet to rise for peak season and it’s another month before the tourist hordes descend, meaning shorter queuing times at the big attractions. What more can we say to convince you to spend May in San Francisco? Read on... Things to do in May Of course no visit to the Golden City would be complete without seeing the bucket-list attractions. The Golden Gate Bridge will be at the top of most itineraries and May is as good a time as any to visit. Better, perhaps, as the summer fogs are yet to roll in and shroud it. Top tip: wrap up warm if you’re planning to stroll out to the middle of the bridge for those picture-perfect Bay views – it can be breezy and teeth-chatteringly chilly up here at the best of times, so stick on your thermals and a fleece. Or two. Bay cruises are another great way to get a different perspective on the famous San Francisco skyline, and May’s clear blue skies will make for some fine photo opportunities. Most cruises will take in the Pier 39 sea lion colony, the historic waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. You can also just get straight to the notorious island penitentiary, should you so desire, with a cruise and tour of the facility. Those rolling historic landmarks that are San Francisco’s painted wooden cable cars can get really busy, and we mean sardines-in-a-can busy, in summer. You’ll likely still find queues in May, but nothing like during peak season. It’s worth the short wait to travel in style, as the bell rings out and your carriage rattles over the San Francisco hills, affording splendid views of the Bay, loopy Lombard Street and the ultra-luxe hotels in swanky Nob Hill, depending which of the three lines you take. And if the weather gets a little too cool for your liking, duck into any number of world-class museums around the city. Art museums including SFMOMA in the heart of downtown and the striking, copper-clad de Young in Golden Gate Park are among the best in the country. Golden Gate Park is also where you’ll find the California Academy of the Sciences which contains – beneath its living rooftop – a planetarium, an aquarium, a rainforest dome and a huge natural history museum. Embarcadero icon the Exploratorium is the place for interactive art and science exhibits: step into a tornado, get lost in the fog and see the San Francisco skyline modeled from thousands of tiny toothpicks. What’s on in May? Memorial Weekend May sees San Francisco’s festival season crank up a gear as Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend give locals all the excuse they need to celebrate. Memorial Weekend is the biggie, with a major ceremony at the National Cemetery in the Presidio to honor and remember America’s veterans. Expect a reflective but celebratory tone that includes music, parades, speeches and a 21-gun salute. Down in the trendy Mission district, it’s all kicking off as the two-day Carnaval Festival rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean through lively street performances, flamboyant costumes and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border. Beer and cannabis gardens help you stay mellow and there is, of course, a grand parade through the streets. Cinco de Mayo Also held in The Mission (we’re sensing a pattern here), the Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican and Central American culture and is held annually on – as the name suggests – the 5th of May. Families bring picnics and deckchairs to immerse themselves in the action in and around Valencia Street, where food vendors hawk spicy treats and live bands get the party started with mariachi, salsa, merengue music and more. There are costumed dancers, artists, magicians and street performers galore, and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained. Bay to Breakers Bay to Breakers is a 12k fun run that usually takes place on the third Sunday of May. Weaving its way east to west from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, it takes in nine of the city’s neighborhoods. Fun-loving San Franciscans have gamely established a tradition for donning fancy dress during the race, which means you can expect to see overgrown chickens, shambling pantomime horses and huge conga-lines in which teams of 13 or more runners tether themselves together for the duration of the race. In other words: it’s great fun. Get involved yourself: it includes many fun sections like Golden Gate Park, where you might even get to spot the resident buffalo. On the other hand, Hayes Street Hill is an absolute beast that rises over 200 feet above sea level and will challenge even the most seasoned runner. If all that sounds a bit much, you can always just find a nice spot on the sidelines and enjoy all of the fun with none of the exertion. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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San Francisco Itinerary – 3 Days in San Francisco for First Timers

Traveling to San Francisco for a long weekend? If you’ve got 3 days in San Francisco to plan, check out this suggested list of things to do for ideas. This popular San Francisco itinerary is designed to showcase a wide variety of attractions and activities, and to appeal to visitors really looking for that authentic “San Francisco experience.” This 3 day itinerary includes: Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour California Academy of Sciences de Young Museum Legion of Honor SFMOMA Aquarium of the Bay Exploratorium Escape From the Rock Madame Tussauds San Francisco Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise Ripley's Believe it or Not! Only have a few days in San Francisco? We’ve also put together a 1 day and 2 day itinerary. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 3 days in San Francisco itinerary is just one of many ways to experience San Francisco. The Go San Francisco® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Looking for more things to do? - we've got a list of how to spend 5-7 days in San Francisco. Or, try our popular California road trip itinerary, which covers top San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco attractions. DAY 1 Stop #1: Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing Tour This Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco Bus Tour is the perfect addition to your itinerary, and an easy way to get around the city while sightseeing. Tour guides are entertaining and knowledgeable, and you’ll see some of the best sights of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, and more Your ticket is good for a full 48 hours, so you can use it to hop on and off at your leisure. As a bonus, your ticket also includes a selection of free walking tours. Join up with one of these three tours at designated stops to see more of each neighborhood: Chinatown Walking Tour, North Beach Walking Tour, or Barbary Coast Walking Tour. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: California Academy of Sciences No San Francisco visitor should miss the chance to explore the dazzling and delightful California Academy of Sciences. Comprised of four distinct areas – a natural history museum, an aquarium, an all-digital planetarium, and a four-story rainforest – there’s no end to the things to do at this attraction. This attraction is not just entertaining or informative, it’s also on the cutting edge of research and conservation. Scientists based here are making discoveries and developments that have the potential to improve the environment and change the world! They’ve even got a beautiful, 2 1⁄2 acre “living roof,” just one of their many eco-friendly innovations. There are a number of special programs and events that frequently run at the California Academy of Sciences, too, so be sure to check their calendar before you visit to see what's on. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: California Academy of Sciences tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #3: de Young Museum Head back to Golden Gate Park to visit one of the other finest museums in the city -- the de Young Museum. This gorgeous facility works to integrate art and nature and architecture all into one cohesive aesthetic experience, making it one of the most unique institutions on the west coast. Their collections span millennia, featuring everything from ancient African art to contemporary painting. They also have a strong body of American painting from the seventeenth to twenty-first centuries. Insider Tip: Be sure to head up the observation tower for an expansive aerial view of Golden Gate Park. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this museum -- perhaps more if you have an art lover in your party. They also have a lovely cafe for a nice coffee break! Getting In: de Young Museum tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #4: Legion of Honor Located just north of Golden Gate Park, the beautiful Legion of Honor museum is another great artistic attraction. Designed to look like an eighteenth-century French palace, this institution is beautiful inside and out. Exhibits span a wide variety of artistic genres and nearly 4,000 years of history, so there's no telling what you mind find inside! Highlights include Ancient Art and European painting, featuring works by El Greco, Rembrandt, Monet, and more. A favorite is Rodin's iconic sculpture "The Thinker," which is located outdoors in the Court of Honor. We recommend reserving about 1-2 to explore the Legion of Honor. Getting In: Legion of Honor tickets are included with the Go San Francisco Card. DAY 2 Stop #1: SFMOMA This must-see San Francisco attraction is an excellent way to start off another day of your vacation. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has recently undergone a multi-year renovation project that has totally transformed this amazing space. It's one of the best museums on the west coast dedicated to contemporary and modern art. They also have a unique focus on living artists from the Bay Area. You'll find all your favorite artists represented in their vast collections, from Klee to Calder to Stieglitz. We recommend arriving when the museum first opens to avoid the bulk of the crowds. Set aside at a few hours for this engaging museum -- more if you've got real art lovers in your group. Getting In: SFMOMA tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: Aquarium of the Bay Now it's time to head up to the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront neighborhood for some prime explorations of the most popular locales in the city. Pop into the fascinating Aquarium of the Bay, which is consistently a family-favorite attraction. It exclusively features specimens from the San Francisco Bay, from jellyfish to giant octopi! You won’t want to miss their clear crystal tunnel system, with more than 300 feet of amazing views of over 20,000 marine creatures and plants. It’s a surreal experience to feel like you’re walking underwater! Another popular exhibit with kids is "Touch the Bay," where you can actually reach into water and feel sharks, rays, and sea stars. We recommend reserving at least an hour for this attraction. Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop # 3: Exploratorium Also located near the waterfront is the kid-centric Exploratorium. It's a highly interactive museum, with tons of opportunities for your kids to touch and play with hundreds of different exhibits. You'll find everything from fun, climbable outdoors exhibits to science-focused exhibits like viewing sea creatures through a microscope. Adults can have fun, too! Just check out the more inventive exhibits and learn about San Francisco's truly creative culture. It's also really worth your time to consult their website before you visit. They have activities organized by theme online, and it's a good way to plan out what you want to tackle first. Getting In: Exploratorium tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #4: Escape From the Rock Cruise End the day with a truly enjoyable cruise that heads out towards the infamous Alcatraz Island. Sail under the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, out to the Bay, and past this sinister prison while listening to informative narration from your crew. And it's not just about what you see in front of you, either -- you'll also be regaled with stories about famous crooks and criminals who served some time in Alcatraz, including tales about famous escape efforts that have inspired so many films. The cruise itself last for one and a half hours; please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your desired departure time. No reservations required. Please not that this cruise does not include a landing at Alcatraz Island itself; if you're interested in visiting the prison, purchase your Go San Francisco Card directly from Alcatraz Cruises. Getting In: Escape From The Rock Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. DAY 3 Stop #1: Madame Tussauds San Francisco Begin your last day with a return to the popular Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. Stop by Madame Tussauds San Francisco for a truly special experience that only Madame Ts can produce. Meet celebrities from music to Hollywood to politics and snap your photo with your favorite. It's a fun way to keep the kids entertained, and it's also an informative romp through pop culture's most important figures and moments in time, from Elton John to Rosa Parks. We recommend reserving about an hour to explore this attraction. You may experience lines, but probably not first thing in the morning. Getting In: Madame Tussauds San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise Next on your itinerary, you’ll want to continue to explore San Francisco by water! The Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise is actually the only cruise in the area that sails under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge (hence its name), and is a totally relaxing activity. You’ll also see a number of iconic sights from San Francisco’s shoreline and maritime history, including the infamous Alcatraz and Treasure Island. So there's an educational component, too, for those of you traveling with curious explorers of all ages. If you're wondering, the big difference between this cruise and the Escape from the Rock cruise is that this option features a more wide-ranging survey of San Francisco maritime culture and history, and less information about Alcatraz itself. Pick one, or enjoy them both! Remember to pick up your ticket in advance at the booth prior to boarding the vessel. We recommend arriving at least 15 in advance of your desired sail time. Reservations are required for this cruise. Getting In: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #3: Ripley's Believe it or Not! This is another destination the kids will love. The endlessly fascinating Ripley's Believe it or Not! makes for an astonishing and fully entertaining last stop of the trip. Filled with the bizarre, the strange, and the wonderful, Ripley's has been delighting and puzzling visitors for generations. With hundreds of crazy exhibits -- many of them new each year -- there's something for adults to like, too. An area that absolutely everyone loves is the Toy / Candy Factory, which offers hundreds of different classic and contemporary sweet treats. Be prepared for the nostalgia when you see your favorite childhood candy for sale! A visit here typically takes about two hours, so plan accordingly based on your dinner ideas. Getting In: Ripley's Believe it or Not! San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Let’s Recap This 3 days in San Francisco itinerary really shows you the best and the brightest of the City by the Bay. The wide variety of things to do and places to go on your three days in San Francisco will leave you feeling like you’ve gotten a true feel for the city. Save on combined admission costs vs paying at the gate when you visit all of these attractions with a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card. You can also save even more with included extra discounts on dining, shopping, and additional attractions!
Katie Sagal
San Francisco
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Best shopping in San Francisco - Boutiques, outlet malls & more

Where are the best places to shop in San Francisco? Well, to answer that question, we've made a list of the top 12 places and areas to shop in San Francisco, including popular outlet malls, shopping centers, hip boutiques and more.
Casey Makovich

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