05/20/08

Don't forget your Sweater

by Monkeymoe

I love it! Fisherman's Wharf is the place to visit during your stay in S.F, It has so many place's to shop! and some of the best restaurants. One thing to remember, is no matter how warm it is in other parts of San Francisco it is going to be chilly at Fisherman's Wharf. . Never the less it is a great place to be?

03/17/08

The Complete SF Experience

by outnbowt

Fisherman's Wharf is awesome! Yes it may be crowded and fish alley is smelly, but this is the real deal. What fun to watch the crowds, enjoy the street performers - don't forget to give them a dollar or 10 - and enjoy the SF weather. In fact, after having eaten at several of the dining establishments in the area, the absolute best seafood can be found either on fish alley or at Boudin. You can have the white tablecloth, and pay 5x more for lesser quality seafood and bad service, or enjoy awesome seafood on the wharf at a price that will also make you happy while enjoying the sites sounds and salt water smell in the air. (just be sure to take cover from the pigeons.

• Pros: Great Seafood - Great $$
• Cons: Crowds, pigeons

11/13/06

What else to say

by vynnp

Whats a trip to San Francisco without Fisherman's Wharf. Eat crab out of a cardboard bowl, shop at a bizillion stores selling the same old T shirts. Watch the street performers. Take your picture a dozen times, and then go explore the real San Francisco if you have the time. Walk thru North Beach, or the Marina district. Go to the Castro district or even Union Square.

08/20/06

The whole enchilada

by robotdog

The Wharf is classic SF. Elegant chock-a-block with tawdry T-shirts. Go for the views, the smells (yes!), the street performers, and the corny stuff. Do eat at Boudin for the best clam chowder this side of Monterey. And the best sourdough in town, bar none. They now have incredible gourmet market as well! If you have kids, it's a must. They can go to the Wax Museum and you can escape for a nice latte! Later, go to the seafaring museum, there is still a lot of very authentic stuff here; you just have to walk a few blocks and ignore the tacky T-shirt shops. Those who require perfection should probably go elsewhere.

03/08/04

Trinket shops, sea lions and Ghirardelli chocolate star in this carnival by the bay.

by Contributor

The Appeal
Tourists get up early to greet the sunrise and brisk bay air with a hearty walk on the piers along Jefferson Street. Many hold their noses when turning onto Fish Alley, where fresh catches have been hauled since the 1860s, when Italian fishing boats filled the harbor and Beach Street was just a beach.

Facts
As the sun arcs higher, Fisherman's Wharf is overwhelmed by tourists and reinvented daily as a chaotic carnival of commercialism, replete with remarkably uneven shops and restaurants. Luckily, there are still places for the savvy traveler to escape and relax amid the frenzy.

• Pros: Eye-popping
• Cons: Tourist trap

06/09/03

The Seals are Tops

by paragone

The best thing at Pier 39 is the Sea Lions. I could have watched them for hours. All the items for sale at FW are cheaper in Chinatown.

• Pros: Sea Lions, Boardwalk, View
• Cons: Overpriced stores

04/07/03

Day-at-the-fair atmosphere

by isundari

Very touristy, but kind of fun. Cheap trinket shops are everywhere. The public restroom was tiny and not very clean. The freshly made crepes were great. The sea lions and occasional seal are fascinating. Interesting to see the fishing boats. Fairly good seafood at stands and little restaurants nearby. Not for discerning tastes but fun "day at the fair" type afternoon.

• Pros: Sea lions, junk food
• Cons: Crowded, tacky

03/10/03

Seafood n' Shopping

by ppiszek

My fiance and I made a smart move getting down here early (before 9:30). We were easily able to find parking and take in the many gift shops, eccentric characters, (the silver rap/mime dude was the standout), and tasty seafood. I thoroughly enjoyed the crab sandwich w/ sourdough bread, and their 'fast food' clam chowder WOW! It beats chowder in many of Chicago's trendier seafood restaurants. Sure it had a tourist trap feel, but we tourists could care less. We had fun! Can't get much more 'Frisco flavor than the Wharf.

• Pros: Lots of character, Fast seafood excell., Quirky shops
• Cons: Parking tough aft. 10, very croweded yr lng, Lots to do.

02/15/03

Fishermans Wharf is the Greastest

by lnlyhrtclb

It's my favorite place to go in the whole world , been going there since I was a young kid , love the Old Boats,the history ,and everything about it,It's a place you have to see atleast once in your life,but be warned , once you do then it's hard to stay away!!!!!!!!!!

10/21/02

Much Like any other Pier...

by izelmorena

And just as lovely as the rest. I know a pier is a pier, but come on folks. If they weren't interesting, then it wouldn't have been built. I adore this pier, tons of nick-knack shops and sweets. A Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant at the very end of the pier makes for a great lunch spot, or a place to sit and grab a mid afternoon cocktail. Also, unlike many other piers, this pier boasts their SF seals. You can stand at the side of the pier and watch the lazy sunbathing seals loudly enjoy their warm afternoon. Definitely a must see.

• Pros: Seals, Attractions, Bubba Gump