Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fisherman's Wharf
|
|
|---|---|
Fisherman's Wharf sign
|
|
 Fisherman's Wharf
Location in San Francisco
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| City | City and County of San Francisco |
Fisherman's Wharf is a famous neighborhood and fun place to visit in San Francisco, California, United States. It's located along the northern waterfront of San Francisco. It stretches from Ghirardelli Square to Pier 35. You can get there by riding the F Market streetcar. The Powell / Hyde cable car line also goes to Aquatic Park, which is right next to the Wharf.
Contents
History of Fisherman's Wharf
Early Days: 1884
In 1884, the very first state-owned Fisherman's Wharf was built. It was located at the end of Union Street. This wharf was a long, narrow rectangle. It measured about 450 feet long and 150 feet wide.
Fishing Boats in 1900
In 1900, the state of California set aside a special area. This area was along the waterfront between Taylor and Leavenworth streets. It was meant just for commercial fishing boats.
Becoming a Tourist Spot: 1970s
During the 1970s and 1980s, Fisherman's Wharf changed. It became a popular place for tourists to visit. Even with these changes, many active fishermen still worked there. Their fishing boats were still a common sight.
Modern Plans: 2000s to Today
In 2010, city leaders suggested a big plan. They wanted to spend $15 million to make the area even better. The goal was to attract more tourists. They also hoped to make it more popular with people who live in San Francisco.
Fun Things to Do at Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is one of the busiest places for tourists in the western United States. It is well known for many exciting attractions. These include Pier 39, the Cannery Shopping Center, and Ghirardelli Square. You can also find a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum there. Other fun spots are the Musée Mécanique and Madame Tussauds. The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is also nearby.
Delicious Seafood and Restaurants
There are many seafood restaurants in the area. You can find places like the floating Forbes Island restaurant at Pier 39. There are also stands that sell fresh seafood. Some restaurants, like Fishermen's Grotto and Alioto's, have been run by the same families for three generations. You can also find popular chains like Applebee's and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.. There is even an In-N-Out Burger. Local business leaders liked In-N-Out because it is family-owned. They felt it fit the area's history of family businesses.
Historic Ships and More Attractions
Other interesting places at Fisherman's Wharf include the Hyde Street Pier. This pier is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. You can also visit the USS Pampanito. This is a World War II submarine that is no longer used. Another historic ship is the Balclutha. It is a large cargo ship from the 1800s. Nearby Pier 45 has a special chapel. It remembers the "Lost Fishermen" of San Francisco and Northern California.
SkyStar Wheel and Sea Lions
On November 13, 2023, the SkyStar Wheel opened at Fisherman's Wharf. This giant Ferris wheel had been in Golden Gate Park for three years. Its opening happened during the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
A large group of sea lions lives next to Pier 39. They moved there a few months before the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The sea lions like to rest on the wooden docks. These docks were originally used for boats.
Events at the Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf hosts many fun events in San Francisco. There is a big firework show on the Fourth of July. It also offers great views of the Fleet Week air shows. These shows feature the amazing The Blue Angels flying team.
Pier 45: Historic Ships
The USS Pampanito (SS-383) and the Liberty ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien are very important historic landmarks. They are kept as museum ships. They are part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park near the Wharf.
Fisherman's Wharf in Movies and Music
In 1985, Fisherman's Wharf was used as a filming spot for the James Bond movie A View to a Kill. In the film, James Bond, played by Roger Moore, met with a CIA agent there.
The pictures for Van Dyke Parks' music album Clang of the Yankee Reaper (1975) were taken at Fisherman's Wharf.
See also
In Spanish: Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco) para niños
