Flavors of Fisherman’s Wharf: A Walking Tour from Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square
About the Tour
Every step along San Francisco’s stunning waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, has a story waiting to be told. On this walking tour, I’ll show you well-known landmarks, mouthwatering foodie spots and hidden treasures, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the city.
You’ll start exploring the waterfront from Pier 39, where you’ll have plenty of chances to sample world-famous bites at places like Fog Harbor Fish House and In-N-Out Burger. You’ll also have an opportunity to marvel at legendary sites like the Pier 43 Ferry Arch and the Fisherman’s Wharf Sign.
You’ll encounter playful sea lions at Pier 39 and learn how to tell a seal from a sea lion. I’ll also share the secrets of San Francisco‘s renowned sourdough at Boudin Bakery, where you’ll find out why the city’s bread has its own unique taste. From there, you’ll see the whimsical world of vintage arcade games at Musée Mécanique, learn the history of the coin-operated machine, and find out how it influenced today’s video games. Along the way, you can grab a traditional Boudin clam chowder bread bowl, sample some Dungeness crab, and treat yourself to the decadent delights of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, where our tour ends.
On this 90-minute San Francisco tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Step back in time and hear about the history of Pier 43, a key gateway for San Francisco’s maritime activities
- See the USS Pampanito Museum and Memorial where you’ll learn about the city’s military role during World War II
- Watch in amazement as operators at the historical Powell & Hyde Cable Car Turntable manually turn the city’s iconic cable cars around, and discover the history behind this beloved mode of transportation
- Pop into the Cartoon Art Museum to explore its captivating collection of original artwork and gain insight into the medium’s evolution
- Indulge in a stroll through the historical Ghirardelli Square, and learn about its transformation into a vibrant marketplace where history and modernity meet
With its rich blend of history, fun trivia and delicious detours, this experience is tailor-made for families, solo adventurers, or anyone eager to dive into San Francisco’s vibrant culture. Slip on your walking shoes, pop in your headphones, and prepare for a day filled with discovery, indulgence, and unforgettable stories.
Tour Producer
David
San Francisco native. Avid traveler and foodie. Always planning the next trip.
Preview Location
Location 26
Cable car 1
In the early 1870s, Andrew Smith Hallidie, a Scottish immigrant and inventor, witnessed the dangers and difficulties horses faced while pulling heavy loads up San Francisco's stee... Read More
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
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PIER 39
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Fog Harbor Fish House
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Sea Lion Viewing Area
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Pier 43 Ferry Arch
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Boudin Museum & Bakery Tour
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Fisherman’s Wharf Sign
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USS Pampanito Museum and Memorial
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Musée Mécanique
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In-N-Out Burger
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Powell & Hyde Cable Car Turntable
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Cartoon Art Museum
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Ghirardelli Square
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Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationThe Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA -
Total distance3km -
Final location900 North Point St F301, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA -
Distance back to start location1km
Directions to Starting Point
The starting point for the tour is the statue located at the entrance to Pier 39 with the Pier 39 sign to the right of you.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The tour takes you to a bunch of places to eat or grab a snack like In-N-Out, Boudin, Ghirardelli Chocolate and few dungeness crab stands, but other great restaurants on the tour path are: Fog Harbor Fish House, Pier Market Seafood and Scoma's. If you're looking for sweets (in addition to our stop at Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience), Lappert's Ice Cream shop is your place.
Aquarium of the Bay and the SkyStar ferris wheel are great for kids as are the USS Pampanito and Cartoon Art Museum the latter two which I'll point out but we don't go into.
Best time of day
I find it best to go in the morning before it gets too crowded. An added benefit if you're driving is that the earlier you go, the easier the parking. Street parking tends to be cheaper than the garages. Most shops and other attractions are open by 10 AM and restaurants by 11 AM.
Precautions
To prevent break-ins - especially in tourist spots, don't leave anything of value in your car.
Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf can be cold so it's best to dress in layers for maximum comfort.
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