Downtown/Fisherman's Wharf/Financial District
Union Square, Chinatown, Telegraph Hill, Fisherman's Wharf and back, either by cable car or feet for long-distance walkers
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Duration: 1/2 - 1 day
Distance: 3.1 miles/5km; Ferry Building and Financial District: + 1.7 miles/ 2.7 km Crissy Field/Fort Point: up to 3.7 miles/ 6km If you are staying at Fisherman’s Wharf take the cable car to Union Square from Hyde Street or do the walk in the opposite direction.
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Getting there:
By car – there is a secure and centrally located parking garage below Union Square (entrance at Geary and Post Street). The daily maximum is about $35. By BART (Metro) – the closest Bart station is Powell Street. By bus/street car - the closest station is Market/4th Street. This is a stop for several bus lines and streetcar no. F. For more information go to: www.sfmta.com |
1st stop: Union Square
San Francisco’s Union Square was established during the American Civil War to mobilize support and soldiers for the Union Army. Today the plaza is a meeting point in the city center and surrounded by popular shops and hotels.
The elevated square opens beautiful views over San Francisco’s skyline. In addition Union Square is a convenient starting point to start a walk through Chinatown and Little Italy (North Beach) towards Fisherman’s Wharf.
First you cross Stockton Street and walk down Post Street to make a left into Grant Avenue. At the end you can already see the entrance gate of Chinatown.
Decoration and interior shops that sell huge sculptures and lights frame the way to the gate. If you think these items are unsaleable I can proof you wrong. The houses along Marina Blvd in San Francisco and many beach homes along HWY 1 are stuffed with these ‘accessories’!
2nd stop: Chinatown
Behind the Chinese entrance gate you enter the part of Grand Avenue that is packed with Chinese souvenir and teashops.
Everything is nice to gaze at, especially for those who never have been to Asia. But as you might imagine this area doesn’t show Chinatown’s real flair. The authentic part of Chinatown runs down Stockton Street.
If you cross over Clay or Washington Street to the left you get to Stockton Street with all Chinese culinary delights and rarities.
Stockton is also were the Chinese run their errands and were you are getting veggies, meats, fish and spices. Most displays are decorated with glazed ducks, common Chinese dishes, as well as raw fish.
If you want to dunk deeper into San Francisco’s Chinatown you can schedule a guided tour over Linda Lee http://www.allaboutchinatown.com/index.htm or over Shirley Fong-Torres http://www.wokwiz.com/index.html.
If you don’t want to spend the money or do not have time for a detailed tour you also can explore the area yourself. By taking the side alleys in between Stockton and Powell Street at the height of Washington and Jackson Street you get a good idea about the daily life in Chinatown.
A nice walk through Chinatown in San Francisco is listed at: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanfrancisco/0029020033.html
Including the Fortune Cookie Factory at Jackson Street between Stockton Street and Grant Avenue.
If you are getting hungry smelling all the great Chinese flavors in front of the stores try the dishes or walk in one of the dim sum places. You also can postpone your lunch break to ‘Little Italy’ where you have several good restaurants. Recommendations are listed under ‘Restaurants’.
3rd stop: North Beach (Little Italy)
Getting back to Stockton Street and heading north you enter Little Italy. At the corner of Columbus Avenue turn your head to the right to catch a glimpse at Transamerica Pyramid. The pyramidal building was the former headquarter of the Transamerica Corporation and is nowadays a famous sight in the San Francisco skyline.
Getting back to Stockton Street and heading north you enter Little Italy. At the corner of Columbus Avenue turn your head to the right to catch a glimpse at Transamerica Pyramid. The pyramidal building was the former headquarter of the Transamerica Corporation and is nowadays a famous sight in the San Francisco skyline.
Another save bet for lunch is ‘Mama’s’ at Washington Square. Just don’t be fooled by the name. Instead of Italian fare you get American favorites. A local favorite are their Eggs Benedict for which some people wait 1-2 hrs in line!!!
Washington Square is one of the last places to soak in the neighborhood’s atmosphere since Little Italy is slowly taken over by Chinatown.
If you are wondering about the sculpture at Washington Square: it’s Benjamin Franklin, a leading author and one of the founding fathers of the United States. Next door is beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Church – also known as the Italian Cathedral.
4th stop: Coit Tower
As soon as Stockton Street meets Lombard Street take a look to the left. In the far end you can see the famous curvy part of Lombard Street.
For an impressive view over the city, in particular the waterfront, make a right and walk to Coit Tower. The tower is open daily and was built 1933 with funds of Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the city. Don’t worry there is a lift taking you up to the observation deck.
Back downstairs I recommend taking the wooden steps on Filbert Street down to the shore. Entering the steps from Coit Tower saves you some energy since the decline is very steep.
Rampant hedges and flowering gardens frame the stairs and – I am not joking – wild parrots live here. Those red-masked parakeets established a breeding colony at the Filbert Steps and belong to the major sights in the city.
When you are reaching Sansome Street at the end of the stairs make a left and walk down to Embarcadero. Cross the street and keep left to get to the very touristy Pier 39.
On your way you can see Alcatraz to the right. If you are aiming to go there reserve tickets for an Alcatraz tour at least one month in advance. You should allow 3-4 hours for this trip and should consider separating the tour from this walk.
Boats to the island departure at Pier 33 where you also have the ticket office. If you want to make an Alcatraz tour instead of continuing the walk check the office for last-minute tickets.
If you want to buy tickets in advance you should know that there is only one official company that is doing the Alcatraz tours, but several vendors who offer tickets! There is the rub: The vendors are selling higher priced tickets including all amenities the Alcatraz tour offers and add a commission. To distinguish themselves from other vendors they list extra features on their website that are included in the Alcatraz tour anyways, such as an audio tour. After purchasing the tickets with those vendors you end at Pier 33 anyways.
To avoid the trap, book your tickets at Alcatraz Cruises over this link: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/index.aspx
They also offer night tours with changing attractions that are not included in the regular tour for the hard-boiled ones – this is not recommended for children and you might want to reserve your tickets even further in advance.
5th stop: Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39
On the height of Beach Street you hit Pier 39, not difficult to find thanks to the masses. For a better view and a nice photo shot climb the stairs of the parking garage that crosses above Beach Street.
I am not a big fan of the hustle and bustle at Fisherman's Wharf but I love to watch the sea lions. The best way to beat the crowds is to come here very early in the morning or late at night.
If you have no choice but come to Fisherman’s Wharf during day watch the sea lions from the upper floor of the Pier 39 complex. Next to ‘Neptune’s Palace’ is a great vantage point over the area. BTW – up here the sea lions’ smell isn’t that bad as well.
Pier 39 is furthermore a good place to shop some souvenirs for your family and friends back home. Besides, the quality seems far better than those at Fisherman’s Wharf’s northern shops!
6th stop: Choose between Marina, Cable Car, Financial District
From Fisherman’s Wharf there are several options to extend or finish your walk.
Depending on how exhausted you are, you can extend your walk to the beautiful Marina and Crissy Field. From the recreational area you can see Golden Gate Bridge and have an amazing vantage point over the bridge from Fort Point.
This extension adds 2.5 miles to your walk and guides you to the end of the wharf. From the pier at the end of Van Ness Ave you have a great vantage point over the city before you have to walk uphill to the park above Fort Mason. Leaving the park behind, you enter the Marina basin at which end Crissy Field and Golden Gate Bridge are located. More details about this walk are listed under: Marina/Crissy Field/Golden Gate Bridge.
By doing this walk you can spend the evening at one of the cozy restaurants along Chestnut or Union Street. (Recommendations are listed under ‘Restaurants’). Later you can take a cab or bus no. 30 to return to Union Square. Or walk back to Fisherman’s Wharf.
If you are tired and want to return to Union Square follow Jefferson Street that runs parallel to Fisherman’s Wharf up to Hyde Street. At the corner of Hyde and Jefferson is the San Francisco cable car terminal. This line takes you back to Union Square and Market Street.
On your way your are passing the curvy part of Lombard Street, Russian and Nob Hill - both beautiful neighborhoods with cafes, restaurants, and typical Victorian townhouses. You also will cross Chinatown again. You receive your San Francisco cable car ticket inside the car. The seats with the best view are outside on the left (travel direction). If you end up sitting inside you should know that the car will be filled up with people on the way. Most of them will step into the cabin.
If you choose hanging on the outer side make sure you stay close to the poles. Otherwise the cable car coming from the other direction will take you back to Hyde Street. Take care of your valuables and store them in a safe place.
If you are tempted to have dinner at one of the restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf reconsider. The restaurants are all overprized and the food is just average. Walk a couple of blocks north instead to hit real good eateries. (Recommendations are listed under ‘Restaurants’).
Another way of returning to Union Square is by walking along Embarcadero towards Ferry Building and Financial District.
If you are interested in company headquarters, turn right into Battery Street. Along Battery are the Levi Strauss headquarters with a visitor center onsite and the offices of Linden Lab, the company behind Second life.
By turning left into Washington Street you will return to Embarcadero.
Further down on Embarcadero you reach the Ferry Building. The white building with the bell tower was a former focal point for travelers arriving with the train and ferry from the East and the Bay area.
Nowadays the building still has a ferry terminal for ferries that connect areas along the Bay with San Francisco. However, the train tracks were removed and the building mainly acts as a marketplace.
Various delicatessen shops, cheese and meat stores, restaurants and bakeries are located here. If you like to spend the evening at the Ferry Building buy some snacks and enjoy them outside at one of the tables or benches that face the Bay.
The ferry building is serving ferries to/from Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel Island. More info about their schedules and pricing is listed at: http://www.angelisland.com/ and http://www.goldengateferry.org/schedules/Sausalito.php.
Instead of walking straight down Market Street I recommend to do a short tour through the high-rise buildings in the Financial District. The best way into the district is to cross Justin Herman Plaza (huge square on the opposite of Ferry Building) towards Embarcadero Center. Make a left into Drumm Street and from there a right into California Street. At the corner of Montgomery Street make a left and walk down Post Street until you hit Union Square again.
If it is getting dark go to Macy’s and take the elevator up to the Cheesecake Factory. From the restaurant’s patio you have a wonderful view over San Francisco’s skyline. If you haven’t had dinner yet the restaurant offers a decent American-Asian fusion cuisine. The patio will be heated at night, in case you cannot turn away from the nice view.
6th stop: Choose between Marina, Cable Car, Financial District
From Fisherman’s Wharf there are several options to extend or finish your walk.
Depending on how exhausted you are, you can extend your walk to the beautiful Marina and Crissy Field. From the recreational area you can see Golden Gate Bridge and have an amazing vantage point over the bridge from Fort Point.
This extension adds 2.5 miles to your walk and guides you to the end of the wharf. From the pier at the end of Van Ness Ave you have a great vantage point over the city before you have to walk uphill to the park above Fort Mason. Leaving the park behind, you enter the Marina basin at which end Crissy Field and Golden Gate Bridge are located. More details about this walk are listed under: Marina/Crissy Field/Golden Gate Bridge.
By doing this walk you can spend the evening at one of the cozy restaurants along Chestnut or Union Street. (Recommendations are listed under ‘Restaurants’). Later you can take a cab or bus no. 30 to return to Union Square. Or walk back to Fisherman’s Wharf.
If you are tired and want to return to Union Square follow Jefferson Street that runs parallel to Fisherman’s Wharf up to Hyde Street. At the corner of Hyde and Jefferson is the San Francisco cable car terminal. This line takes you back to Union Square and Market Street.
On your way your are passing the curvy part of Lombard Street, Russian and Nob Hill - both beautiful neighborhoods with cafes, restaurants, and typical Victorian townhouses. You also will cross Chinatown again. You receive your San Francisco cable car ticket inside the car. The seats with the best view are outside on the left (travel direction). If you end up sitting inside you should know that the car will be filled up with people on the way. Most of them will step into the cabin.
If you choose hanging on the outer side make sure you stay close to the poles. Otherwise the cable car coming from the other direction will take you back to Hyde Street. Take care of your valuables and store them in a safe place.
If you are tempted to have dinner at one of the restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf reconsider. The restaurants are all overprized and the food is just average. Walk a couple of blocks north instead to hit real good eateries. (Recommendations are listed under ‘Restaurants’).
Another way of returning to Union Square is by walking along Embarcadero towards Ferry Building and Financial District.
If you are interested in company headquarters, turn right into Battery Street. Along Battery are the Levi Strauss headquarters with a visitor center onsite and the offices of Linden Lab, the company behind Second life.
By turning left into Washington Street you will return to Embarcadero.
Further down on Embarcadero you reach the Ferry Building. The white building with the bell tower was a former focal point for travelers arriving with the train and ferry from the East and the Bay area.
Nowadays the building still has a ferry terminal for ferries that connect areas along the Bay with San Francisco. However, the train tracks were removed and the building mainly acts as a marketplace.
Various delicatessen shops, cheese and meat stores, restaurants and bakeries are located here. If you like to spend the evening at the Ferry Building buy some snacks and enjoy them outside at one of the tables or benches that face the Bay.
The ferry building is serving ferries to/from Sausalito, Tiburon and Angel Island. More info about their schedules and pricing is listed at: http://www.angelisland.com/ and http://www.goldengateferry.org/schedules/Sausalito.php.
Instead of walking straight down Market Street I recommend to do a short tour through the high-rise buildings in the Financial District. The best way into the district is to cross Justin Herman Plaza (huge square on the opposite of Ferry Building) towards Embarcadero Center. Make a left into Drumm Street and from there a right into California Street. At the corner of Montgomery Street make a left and walk down Post Street until you hit Union Square again.
If it is getting dark go to Macy’s and take the elevator up to the Cheesecake Factory. From the restaurant’s patio you have a wonderful view over San Francisco’s skyline. If you haven’t had dinner yet the restaurant offers a decent American-Asian fusion cuisine. The patio will be heated at night, in case you cannot turn away from the nice view.