Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco Travel Guide | California Travel Tips

California Travel journalist Veronica Hill offers a guide to the best attractions in San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf in this episode of "California Travel Tips."

There are dozens of things to do in Fisherman's Wharf. Take the San Francisco cable cars down to the Hyde Street Pier, where you can explore the Fisherman's wharf attractions, seafood restaurants and museums.

Most of the sights are located along Jefferson Street, which is where you'll find the historic San Francisco seafood restaurants and stands serving up the city's famous boiled crab and hot clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

If you're craving more of that fabulously chewy San Francisco sourdough, head over to Boudin Bakery in Fisherman's Wharf, where you can watch and talk to artisan breadmakers as they create their legendary sourdough loaves before your eyes.

Located on Pier 45, Musee Mecanique is a mechanical museum that's home to dozens of old-time penny arcade games, including some from San Francisco's historic Playland at the Beach.

On Hyde Street Pier, you'll find the flotilla of ships at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Although the Pier is free, you can pay a fee to board these turn-of-the-century ships. Also along the waterfront, you can tour the USS Pampanito, which sank six ships during World War II.

Fisherman's Wharf is home to several daily San Francisco bay cruises, bike rentals and sightseeing tours. You can explore the city on a San Francisco Go Car, zip through Fisherman's Wharf by Segway, or join a cycling tour across the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Blue & Gold Fleet also departs here daily, offering excursions to popular destinations including Angel Island, Monterey and Carmel. Daily tours to Alcatraz depart from Alcatraz Cruises on Pier 33.

For a bit of touristy fun, head to Pier 39 — a shopping and restaurant complex filled with souvenir shops and the occasional live shows. Go ahead and succumb to its guilty pleasures, from a ride on the double-decker carousel, to glimpse at the barking California sea lions on K-dock. These playful pinnipeds arrived here in 1990, and have been a major crowd pleaser ever since. Although their numbers come and go throughout the year, there are always a few hanging out. Upstairs, Aquarium of the Bay offers a glimpse at more than 20,000 ocean creatures.

If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss Ghiradelli Square, where you can indulge in San Francisco's famous chocolate creations, or do a bit of shopping. Built in 1907, the Cannery is another good bet — where you'll find some adorable sidewalk cafes and boutiques.

If you're looking for San Francisco hotels near Fisherman's Wharf, book a room at the Radisson Fisherman's Wharf, Fairmont Heritage Place or The Argonaut. All three are just steps from Jefferson Street and the attractions of Fisherman's Wharf.

Tips: Parking in San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf is available across the street from Pier 39 in a large parking structure. You can find a map of Fisherman's Wharf on their official website at http://www.fishermanswharf.org/visit.aspx?q=10037&c=1

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