StayAreas

Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco

The waterfront on the northern edge of the city, with Pier 39's sea lions, the Alcatraz ferries, Ghirardelli Square and seafood stalls.

Best for Families · First visit

Transport
3/5
Sights
4/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
3/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$300/night · 20 min to Union Square

See hotels in Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf on the map

Why stay here

  • Bay views, sea lions and the Alcatraz ferries
  • Great for families
  • Cable cars and streetcars to downtown

Who should stay here

  • Families
  • First-time visitors
  • Travellers visiting Alcatraz

Not ideal if…

  • You want local restaurants
  • You want nightlife
  • You want quick BART access

What it's like

Fisherman's Wharf is the city's most visited district: sea lions lounging on the docks at Pier 39, crab stands on Jefferson Street, the vintage arcade games of the Musée Mécanique and Ghirardelli Square's chocolate. Ferries to Alcatraz leave from Pier 33 nearby, and the Powell-Hyde cable car ends here.

It's great for families and first-timers who want the bay on the doorstep, but it's touristy, quiet at night and far from BART. Hotels are mostly mid-range and good value for the area.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Jefferson Street

    Crab stands and seafood restaurants.

  • Pier 39

    Shops, restaurants and the sea lion docks.

  • Ghirardelli Square

    Chocolate shop and restaurants at the western end.

Getting around

Nearest stations
F-line streetcar along the Embarcadero, the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars, and buses downtown.
To Union Square
About 20 minutes
From San Francisco International Airport
About 50 minutes: BART to Embarcadero, then the F-line streetcar along the waterfront.

Nearby attractions

  • Alcatraz

    Ferries from Pier 33; book weeks ahead in summer.

  • Pier 39 sea lions

    Hundreds of sea lions on the floating docks.

  • Musée Mécanique

    Free collection of antique arcade machines.

  • Lombard Street

    The crooked block, a short walk uphill.

Where to eat and drink

  • Crab stands

    Dungeness crab and clam chowder in sourdough bowls.

  • Ghirardelli Square

    Hot fudge sundaes.

Where to stay in Fisherman's Wharf

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

Argonaut Hotel

Why we like it: Nautical hotel in a 1907 cannery building by the bay.

Typical mid-range rate in Fisherman's Wharf: ~$300/night

Check availability

Best value

Hotel Zephyr

Why we like it: Playful hotel with a courtyard of games.

Typical mid-range rate in Fisherman's Wharf: ~$300/night

Check availability

Best value

Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf

Why we like it: Modern hotel with a heated outdoor pool.

Typical mid-range rate in Fisherman's Wharf: ~$300/night

Check availability

StayAreas may earn a commission when you book through selected links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Hotels in Fisherman's WharfMid-range from ~$300/night

See hotels