Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Search:
email to friend | help

San Francisco Travel Guide

Sponsored Links for San Francisco

San Francisco Hotels
Top San Francisco Hotels at Great Rates - Hotels Experts 800-449-4167

Hotels in San Francisco
Book your hotel accommodations in the San Fran area. Low web rates.

Find the Hotel You Want
Hotel Info, Photos & Virtual Tours Save up to 50% on hotels at Expedia

San Francisco Hotels
Sort Hotels by Price, Distance & Star Rating. Book on ORBITZ & Save!

Hotels in San Francisco
Hotel Rooms Available from $62. Bargain Price, Book a Room Online!

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
See all San Francisco Tourist Traps
San Francisco Tourist Traps: Fisherman's Wharf tips and photos posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
Fisherman's Wharf
• 48 Photos
• 85 Reviews
All San Francisco Hotels
Check-In Date:
Check-Out Date:
Guests
Hotels by OneTime.com
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 85  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Fisherman's Wharf: Fisherman's Wharf - Just for Tourists
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By pigletsmom on May 14, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • The very touristy Fisherman's Grotto - San Francisco
    The very touristy Fisherman's
    Grotto
    by pigletsmom
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Though I like Fishermans Wharf, be careful of expensive restaurtants that cater to tourists. But the worst thing about Fishermna's wharf is the guys pedeling the expensive guided city tours. They will not stop until they have sold you some sort of coupon, tour or discount of some kind. You can see the city on your own very easily, safely and much more inexpensively.

    While in Fisherman's wharf do look for good deals on whole crabs, and excellent clam chowder served in a sourdough bowl. Very inexpensive and good! The Musee Macanique, (off the beaten path tip) is highly unusual and free. Walk west towards Ghiradellii Square and you'll run into the Maritime National Historical Park. (off the beaten path tip) Much more authentic and less touristy.

    The SF public library offers free walking tours at all the major attractions and neighborhoods in the city. Check out http://www.sfcityguides.org/ and then click on schedule. Tours are about 2 hours and absolutely free. They ask for a donation at the end of the tour. Guides are knowledgeable and personable.

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: Fishing for Suckers at Fisherman's Wharf
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By Rixie on August 3, 2003
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • This seems to be on every tourist's To Do list, but it's an area of San Francisco that makes me wince. There are far too many people, few of them local, and a multitude of shops selling tasteless souvenirs and T-shirts, e.g. I Got Crabs at Fisherman's Wharf.

    If you absolutely must go to the Wharf, buy a shrimp cocktail to eat as you walk. It will make the tackiness bearable.

    Just beyond the Wharf, near Aquatic Park (marked by long lines of tourists waiting for cable cars), there are two shopping complexes that are still touristy but of passable merit. The Cannery - This red brick complex really was a cannery and has now been converted to shops and restaurants. There?s often live entertainment in the courtyard. Ghirardelli Square - Former chocolate factory converted into shops. Treat yourself to an ice cream concoction at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and buy bars of chocolate to take home. Unless, of course, you're from Belgium. :)

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: Commercialized San Francisco
  • Tip Rating:
  • By g_i_r_a_f on January 26, 2006
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Sea Lions at Pier 39 - San Francisco
    Sea Lions at Pier 39
    by g_i_r_a_f, 3 more photos
    Send Photo to a Friend
    This area tends to be the most expensive and the least interesting place in San Francisco. It is designed to take your money. You can find much more interesting things to do than spend your time here.

    Go to Pier 39 and look at the Sea Lions. It's free!! Take a walk down the street and watch everybody spend their money. There are street performers that do their acts, but again, they expect money especially if you stayed and watched their show. You must board the ferry to Alcatraz from this area.

    Just about every other location in San Francisco is better than this area! If you want to see the flavor of this city, you won't find it here. Look at my things to do tips for other alternatives.


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: Once is more than enough
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By davequ on April 5, 2006
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Bye Bye, bucks..... - San Francisco
    Bye Bye, bucks.....
    by davequ
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Sq, Pier 39 etc. I guess have to be experienced once, and please enjoy them if you do.

    don't waste a lot of money on the food

    Scoma's is ok for seafood on the wharf (view is good).. Or get one of those sourdough bread "bowl-loaves" with chowder in it for lunch at Boudin Bakery Hey, lots of people do fisherman's wharf the first time they goto sf and I hope they have a good time, but 4 me once was enough.

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: Fisherman's BARF
  • Tip Rating:
  • By funnybeee on August 18, 2005
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • FunnyBeee at Fisherman's BARF. - San Francisco
    FunnyBeee at Fisherman's BARF.
    by funnybeee
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Does it look like I am having fun, huh?????? I am sure some people have a blast going down here, but boy I sure couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

    Option 1: Hail a cab and get away from that place as fast as you can. Option 2: Find Jones Street and hike up it, way way up untill you end up at the top (Russian Hill). You will see some beautiful views of the Bay Bridge. Option 3: Go to pier 41 and see when is the next available day you can get to Alcatraz. You need to buy tickets in advance. Option 4: Give the finger to the Bone Man and the Bush Man cuz they are so frikkin' annoying. Option 5: Have dinner at Scoma's.

    See above mentioned Option 2 and 3.

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: There are reasons to see this, but...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By cjg1 on October 2, 2006
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Most all of Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap. It has that Times Square feeling of a place you really just want to run away from.

    You get the ferries here for Alcatraz and a few other places. And like nearly all tourist traps, you should see it once so you know what everyone is talking about.

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: Look But Don't Buy
  • Tip Rating:
  • By cwest03 on September 3, 2003
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco
    by cwest03
    Send Photo to a Friend
    If you visit SF and you don't go to Fisherman's Wharf people will look at you funny. It's a tourist trap and for the most part a rip off but I'm not going to blame you for going. It's worth at the very least a quick trip to see it for your self. For the most part Fisherman's Wharf is a mix of expensive restaurants and some tourist shops selling things that you don't need with the Golden Gate Bridge on it. During the holidays it's jam packed full of people all doing the tourist thing so you won't be alone. During my last trip to SF I was in the area and in a "tourist" mood so I thought I'd go check it out. It had been some time since I had headed to that part of town for a bread bowl of clam chowder. My advice to you would be to save your money. I was embarrassed at the quality of the chowder that I was served. You're much better off eating away from that area and you'll save yourself some money too.

    If you do want to eat while you're there the fried shrimp and the crab sandwiches are a fairly good deal. You can find them at the various outdoor stands just outside of the restaurants. For a good deal on lunch you can head over to Boudin Bakery. You'll see it right in the middle of the wharf area as well as Pier 39. Here you'll find good quality SF sourdough sandwiches at a reasonable price. They have clam chowder bread bowls too. If money is no object treat yourself to a seafood meal at one of the many restaurants lining the wharf. Keep in mind that you're paying a premium for location. For a better meal check out Crustacean on California Street.

    There's not much of an alternative here. but my suggestion is to do it early or in the off season. If not, expect lots of crowds.

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: fisherman's wharf...oh my,...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By melancholia on August 26, 2002
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • fisherman's wharf...oh my, it's horrible! there are so many tourist, and really cheapie touristy shops. nothing of redeeming quality here. the 2 good bits of fisherman's wharf is that you have a nice view of alcatraz (old prison) and sea lions that lay and play in the sun next to pier 39. i only visited fisherman's wharf briefly, it was too crowded and is purely for tourists looking for cheap souveneirs and such. i was informed before going that fw was a 'tourist trap' but i suppose it's somewhere you still feel inclined to go to when visiting san francisco. just be prepared for a lot of people, and a lot of touristy nonsense!

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: 'Donations" for Fishermans wharf street baskers
  • Tip Rating:
  • By ROCKARIA on February 8, 2005
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Where there are tourist there are street baskers - San Francisco
    Where there are tourist
    there are street baskers
    by ROCKARIA
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Sorry....but I never can understand how these people can not get themselves having a proper job like we all do instead of pleading for money!

    Occasionally you meet street baskers like these asking tourist for a "Donation"

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Fisherman's Wharf: FISHERMANS WHARF
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By topoftheworl on October 26, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My San Francisco Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco
    by topoftheworl
    Send Photo to a Friend
    I will not say 'do not go there,' because you WILL So, lets just accept that, and move on. FILM: Buy it before you go there, It is at least $5 more per roll. MONEY: Men, wallets in the front pocket. Women: Purse cross strapped, palm across it at all times. FOOD: Have a ball. Try the cioppino in a sourdough bread-bowl. Crab, lobster, shrimp. It's all here. Avoid the crab-cakes at Alioto's. Don't even THINK about hamburgers, unless it is at In'n'Out Burgers. Good milkshakes there, too SHOPPING: Good deals can be found at the Electronics stores. I suspect it's because the stuff is bought in from Dubai. Most of the shopkeepers are of Mid-Eastern origin. Bargaining is advised. Case in point: A Canon camera. $399 downtown SF. $179, $ 159, and even $600, albeit with a different lens. If a salesman is too pushy, which is normal to their ilk, say thank you and walk away. Good deals on Fleece Jackets too. Ripley's Museum is a must see. Madame Tussaud's you can leave out if you have plans on, or have already been to London. Enjoy a hot dog near the ferry piers, (and I know you WILL take a ferry. Take some stale bread and have fun as the seagulls crowd around the back of the boat,) It is the most worth for your money at 'Suckers Wharf,'


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Fisherman's Wharf
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... 9
    More San Francisco Tips
    Overview
         		General Tips
    Tips: 892 - Photos: 730
    Restaurants
    Tips: 1,523 - Photos: 892    		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 690 - Photos: 319
    Things To Do
    Tips: 3,500 - Photos: 3,071    		Nightlife
    Tips: 508 - Photos: 354
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 664 - Photos: 552    		Tourist Traps
    Tips: 259 - Photos: 134
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 277 - Photos: 126    		Transportation
    Tips: 630 - Photos: 451
    Local Customs
    Tips: 293 - Photos: 226    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 172 - Photos: 55
    Shopping
    Tips: 279 - Photos: 193    		Sports Travel
    Tips: 90 - Photos: 74
    Flights
    Tips: 47 - Photos: 32

    More Sponsored Links for San Francisco

    Bridge Point Inn SF
    A small hotel with a big heart near SFO. Great San Francisco Deal!

    San Francisco Hotel
    Book a luxury hotel in the heart of San Francisco & enjoy access to all

    Hotwire: Hotels For Less
    4-star hotels at 2-star prices with low Hotwire Hot Rates!

    Popular Hotels and Accommodations in San Francisco

    » More Hotels and Accommodations in San Francisco

    Popular Things To Do in San Francisco

    » More Things To Do in San Francisco
    Find:        Matching:  Advanced