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/centrally located parking garage below Union Square (entrance at Geary and Post Street). 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 On demand bikes rental: BayWheels or Jump |
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.
From Union Square head to Grant Avenue from where you can see the entrance gate of Chinatown.
2nd stop: Chinatown
Along Grand Avenue, you will find plenty of Chinese souvenirs and teashops. To discover Chinatown’s real flair continue to Stockton Street. This is were the Chinese run their errands. Most displays are decorated with glazed ducks, common Chinese dishes, veggies, fruits, as well as raw fish.
If you want to dunk deeper into San Francisco’s Chinatown you can schedule a guided tour: http://www.allaboutchinatown.com/index.htm or http://www.wokwiz.com/index.html.
If you don’t want to spend the money just walk along the side alleys in between Stockton and Powell Street.
A nice walk through Chinatown in San Francisco is listed at http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanfrancisco/0029020033.html
A must-do is the Fortune Cookie Factory at Jackson Street between Stockton Street and Grant Avenue.
If you are getting hungry try one of the dim sum places, e.g. Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant. More restaurant recommendations can be found under 'Restaurants'.
3rd stop: North Beach (Little Italy)
Part of Stockton Street goes into the remaining part of Little Italy. 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
At the corner of 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 head to Coit Tower. The tower is open daily and there is a lift that takes you up to the observation deck.
Back downstairs follow the wooden steps on Filbert Street to the shore. Rampant hedges and flowering gardens frame the stairs opening some nice views over the Inner Bay.
Downstairs at Sansom Street turn left to walk towards Embarcadero. Cross the street and keep left for the very touristy Pier 39. On your right, you can see Alcatraz. If you are aiming to go there reserve tickets for an Alcatraz at least one month in advance and allow 3-4 hours for the trip. Boats to the island departure at Pier 33 where you also find the ticket office. If you want to make an Alcatraz tour instead of continuing the walk check-in for last-minute tickets.
To book your Alcatraz Cruises online click here: http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/index.aspx
The company also offers 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
Pier 39 is not difficult to find thanks to the many tourists. For a better view and a nice photo climb the stairs to the bridge that crosses Beach Street. The best time to beat the crowds and watch the sea lions is the early morning or late at night.
If you have no choice but come to Fisherman’s Wharf during the day watch the sea lions from the upper floor of the Pier 39 complex.
Pier 39 is a good place to shop for 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: Marina or Cable Car or Financial District
From Fisherman’s Wharf, there are several options to extend or finish your walk.
Extension: Walk to beautiful Marina and Crissy Field. From Crissy Field and Fort Point, you have amazing views towards Golden Gate Bridge. This extension adds 2.5 miles to your walk. From the pier at the end of Van Ness Ave, you have a great vantage point over the city. To read more click here: Marina/Crissy Field/Golden Gate Bridge.
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/Uber/Lyft or bus no. 30 to return to Union Square. Or walk back to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Return to Union Square: 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, you are passing the curvy part of Lombard Street, Russian and Nob Hill. You can purchase your cable car ticket inside the car.
If you are tempted to have dinner at one of the restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf reconsider. The restaurants are all overpriced and the food is just average.
Instead of taking the cable car, you can also walk back to Union Square: Walk along Embarcadero towards Ferry Building and Financial District. The white ferry 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 but also various delicatessen shops, cheese and meat stores, restaurants and bakeries.
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.
6th stop: Marina or Cable Car or Financial District
From Fisherman’s Wharf, there are several options to extend or finish your walk.
Extension: Walk to beautiful Marina and Crissy Field. From Crissy Field and Fort Point, you have amazing views towards Golden Gate Bridge. This extension adds 2.5 miles to your walk. From the pier at the end of Van Ness Ave, you have a great vantage point over the city. To read more click here: Marina/Crissy Field/Golden Gate Bridge.
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/Uber/Lyft or bus no. 30 to return to Union Square. Or walk back to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Return to Union Square: 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, you are passing the curvy part of Lombard Street, Russian and Nob Hill. You can purchase your cable car ticket inside the car.
If you are tempted to have dinner at one of the restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf reconsider. The restaurants are all overpriced and the food is just average.
Instead of taking the cable car, you can also walk back to Union Square: Walk along Embarcadero towards Ferry Building and Financial District. The white ferry 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 but also various delicatessen shops, cheese and meat stores, restaurants and bakeries.
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.