#259 of 1,113 things to do in San Francisco

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Top ways to experience Pier 43 Ferry Arch and nearby attractions

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Along Fisherman’s Wharf
2
Historical Tours
from
AU$18.80
per adult
BEST SELLER
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
358
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93% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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AU$58.05
per adult
San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
2,680
Audio Guides
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AU$96.24
per adult
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Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)
1,232
Recommended
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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AU$135.95
per adult
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise
263
Recommended
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Day Cruises
from
AU$88.60
per adult
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San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz
28
Recommended
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
AU$265.80
per adult
Golden Gate Bridge Electric Bike Rentals w/ Optional Ferry Return
17
Rentals
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AU$66.37
per adult
Behind-the-Scenes Ballpark Tour of Oracle Park
47
Full-day Tours
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AU$45.83
per adult
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Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise
279
Historical Tours
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AU$212.33
per adult
Mission District Food Tour
55
Recommended
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
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AU$151.23
per adult
San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Open Top Bus Tour (Essential)
69
Audio Guides
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AU$111.51
per adult
California Academy of Sciences General Admission Ticket
100
Aquariums
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AU$64.08
per adult
San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & 2-Day Hop-on Hop-off Tour
267
Audio Guides
from
AU$183.31
per adult
Alcatraz & Fisherman’s Wharf Tour + Cruise & Skystar Options
106
Recommended
91% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Private and Luxury
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AU$151.23
per adult
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
205
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Audio Guides
from
AU$105.40
per adult

The area

Address

Neighbourhood: Fisherman’s Wharf

Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there’s something for everyone at Fisherman’s Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone’s sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighbourhood a true San Francisco treat.

Best nearby

We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.

Restaurants

3,137 within 5 kms

Pescatore Trattoria

1,151

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly

Darren's Cafe

531

0.4 km$ • American • Cafe • Asian

Fog Harbor Fish House

6,123

0.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Soups

The Baked Bear

241

0.5 km$ • Dessert • American • Vegetarian Friendly

Pier Market Seafood Restaurant

3,019

0.2 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Grill

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

3,680

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Gluten Free Options

The Codmother Fish & Chips

1,297

0.5 km$ • Seafood • British

Bistro Boudin

4,447

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly

Surisan

369

0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Gluten Free Options

Crab House at Pier 39

2,339

0.1 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Gluten Free Options

See all

Attractions

1,099 within 10 kms

0.2 kmNature & Wildlife Areas • Aquariums

Crab Sculpture

12

0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Guardians of the Gate

9

0.1 kmMonuments & Statues

SkyStar Wheel Fisherman’s Wharf

4

0.2 kmAmusement & Theme Parks • Observation Decks & Towers

Museum of 3D Illusions

24

0.1 kmArt Museums • Children's Museums

Fisherman's Wharf

19,656

0.3 kmNeighbourhoods • Piers & Boardwalks

0.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Musee Mecanique

2,972

0.4 kmSpeciality Museums

See all

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0

9 reviews

Excellent

2

Very good

7

Average

0

Poor

0

Terrible

0

Eva T

United Kingdom4,422 contributions

Reminder of the past

June 2024 • Couples

Its headhouse, a decorated hoisting tower for loading and unloading rail cars on and off ferries. It was built in 1914 to serve the Belt Railroad. You can still see the rail tracks on the wooden floor. Nice piece of transport history in the city.

Written 22 August 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LostInTime

Pittsburgh, PA22,260 contributions

Arch

Jan 2023 • Business

It’s a really big arch. Right by the water. There are some old train tracks under it. It’s cool looking and a lot of people take pictures there.

Written 25 January 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DiverM

Jupiter, FL586 contributions

Nice site while visiting the wharf

Sept 2022 • Couples

We came upon this while walking along the wharf. This is one of many interesting sites nearby. Be sure to check out the sea lions at pier 39.

Written 24 September 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mini

Fremont, CA212,260 contributions

Architecturally Interesting - Pier 43 Ferry Arch - San Francisco, Ca

Jan 2020

I enjoyed taking a picure of the Pier 43 Ferry Arch, It is an interesting architectural feature and can be seen by the Pier 39/Fisherman Wharf area.

Written 4 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JohnPaul78

Swindon, UK2,362 contributions

Good photo spot

Nov 2019 • Couples

It's an historic arch by Pier 39, there are several arches in the area but this is the most popular. That's it really grab a photo if in the, area.

Written 2 November 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Insertnamehereuserid

Brisbane, Australia213 contributions

Spectacular sunset views

Aug 2019 • Couples

I hadn’t realised why the arch was so popular to visit until I got there, as there are a lot of historic arches along the waterfront.
Once I was there I realised it is because depending on the angle of your photo, the arch can frame either Alcatraz or the D-Day ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien.
Beautiful sunset pics, worth it for those who like to take photographs.
Young kids wouldn’t appreciate it.
Accessible to most everyone.
Convenient stop before dinner nearby.

Written 16 August 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.