The Real Fisherman’s Wharf: The History Beneath the Tourist Path

Go beyond the tourist crowds at Pier 39 into the maze of docks and wharves that form the historic maritime community at Fisherman’s Wharf. You'll greet the sea lions (from a vantage point without any of the usual crowds), see traditional fishing boats much like the ones that were originally used by Italian immigrants to explore the Bay looking for crabs and peek into the restaurants where one of SF’s iconic seafood dishes was invented. Heading down the quay, you'll smell the bread at Boudin Bakery, which brought sourdough to America, and end the day with a free chocolate tasting in the original Ghirardelli factory. Along the way, you'll hear the story of the immigrants who came to the area and brought their culture with them, in the process, enriching the fabric of the city.