Fisherman's Wharf Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Fisherman's Wharf. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• North Beach Walking Tour

• Skip the Bus: San Francisco by Luxury Van Tour

• North Beach Tour With Alcatraz Plus Cruise and SkyStar Options

• San Francisco Love Tour

• Vantigo - The Original San Francisco VW Bus Tour

Exploring Fisherman’s Wharf is free, and there’s no entrance fee or reservation required to explore the historic waterfront neighborhood with its piers, shops, seafood stalls, and bay views. It’s one of San Francisco’s most popular sightseeing areas, and you can wander, snap photos, and watch the sea lions without paying a cent.

Yes, Fisherman's Wharf is worth visiting, as it is the quintessential introduction to San Francisco's waterfront culture. This historic area offers idyllic views of the bay, bustling piers, and iconic landmarks, including Pier 39 and its resident sea lions. Stroll the wharf to take in the colorful shops, family-friendly entertainment, and many fresh seafood dining options. Booking a guided walking or sightseeing tour that includes Fisherman's Wharf is the best way to hear local stories, learn about its fascinating maritime history, and easily connect to nearby attractions such as Alcatraz and Ghirardelli Square.

Per one customer who booked the North Beach Walking Tour, "The walking tour of the Fisherman's Wharf was fun, informative, and full of amazing sights! You must check out the famous sea lions of San Francisco!"

Yes, it’s generally safe to visit San Francisco’s Fisherman's Wharf. The wharf is one of the city's busiest tourist areas, and is near the highly trafficked Marina and North Beach neighborhoods. That said, car break-ins are common, so it's best to carry valuables rather than to leave them in your car.

Pier 39 is a tourist attraction and shopping center built on a pier that's part of Fisherman’s Wharf, a neighborhood that’s another popular tourist attraction. The neighborhood runs along San Francisco’s northeastern waterfront roughly from Pier 35 to Ghirardelli Square—Pier 39 is the next pier west of Pier 35.

Yes, mostly—Fisheman's Wharf is a neighborhood-sized area with many attractions, restaurants, and public spaces. Most sidewalks and the walkways in Pier 39 are wheelchair accessible, as are many restaurants, museums, and other attractions in the area. Most public buses and railway cars servicing the area are also wheelchair-accessible.

Fisherman's Wharf is a hugely popular attraction and draws crowds nearly every day throughout the year. To avoid the masses and to find better parking, start your visit at 9am when most businesses begin to open. To experience a lively scene with all the area attractions open, try the early evening.

While Fisherman's Wharf was once the center of the local fishing industry, those days are long gone. Outside a few fishing boats, the wharf caters to tourists with kitschy attractions, a bevy of seafood restaurants, and ferry service to and from Alcatraz. That said, it's still very much worth visiting.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Fisherman's Wharf. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Francisco:

• Alcatraz

• Golden Gate Bridge

• San Francisco Bay

• Golden Gate Park

• Bay Bridge

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Francisco.