Fisherman’s Wharf
The Verdict
"Fresh Dungeness crab is in season November through June. Working fishing boats still tie up at Pier 45."
What you need to know
Fisherman’s Wharf runs along the northern waterfront from Pier 39 west to Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square. Italian and Sicilian fishermen settled this stretch starting in the late 1800s, and a working fishing fleet still docks at Pier 45. Dungeness crab season runs roughly November through June.
Seafood Stands
The walk-up stands along Jefferson Street sell whole and cracked Dungeness crab, shrimp cocktails, and clam chowder in sourdough bowls. Quality varies stand to stand, and the crab is best in season, roughly November through June.
Pier 39
Sea lions began hauling out on the K-Dock in January 1990 and are typically present year-round. Watching them is free, and the pier looks across to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate.
Hyde Street Pier
Part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, with boardable historic ships including the 1886 Balclutha, the 1890 ferryboat Eureka, and the 1895 schooner C.A. Thayer.
Getting There
The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car lines terminate near the wharf. The F-Market streetcar runs along the Embarcadero. Driving and parking are difficult, especially on weekends.
Explore Nearby
Hon’s Wun-Tun House
Hong Kong-style wonton noodle soup with hand-wrapped wontons and clean broth. So...
Specs’ Twelve Adler Museum Cafe
A North Beach dive since 1968 with walls covered in seafaring memorabilia.
Scoma’s
Seafood goes from dock to kitchen with no middleman.
Buddha Lounge
A Chinatown dive with red lanterns, a jukebox, and stiff, cheap pours.
