Most city dwellers tend to avoid the tourist traps of Fisherman's Wharf—regarded by many locals as the "fake" version of San Francisco. But before you rush to judgement on the $4 t-shirts and sub-par bread bowls of Jefferson Street, it's important to acknowledge the hidden treasures within San Francisco's most touristy neighborhood.
Ghirardelli Square parking lot: Parking in San Francisco is ridiculously expensive, especially in this neck of the woods. The Ghirardelli Square parking lot is just as expensive as the one at Pier 39, only less crowded and more user-friendly. Also, spend $25 at a Square merchant and two hours of parking is a mere $5. Anywhere you find parking around the Wharf will run around $35 for an entire day, so if you're going to spend the money, here's where the locals park.
Musee Mecanique: Musee Mecanique is, hands down, the absolute best find in Fisherman's Wharf. This interactive museum consists of nothing but vintage restored arcade games from nearly every era in history. Admission is free—all that's required is a handful of quarters and a little coordination. One of the real treasures here is an old photo booth on the Bay side of the museum. The $3 black-and-while strip of photos this machine produces always end up being the best portrait anyone's ever taken.
Buena Vista Café: Home of the original Irish Coffee, the Buena Vista Café is definitely a tourist trap, but one that's worth braving the crowds. The food isn't anything to write home about, but a cozy, boozy Irish coffee at the bar while cable cars ding-ding past every few minutes is a worthy San Francisco tradition for even the most jaded resident.
USS Pampanito: Explore a World War II-era submarine docked right on the edge of the Bay behind Musee Mecanique. Adults and kids alike will swoon as they step aboard and head below deck. Guests maneuver man-holes and climb up ladders to get the full experience on self-guided tours of this vintage sub.
Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Café: You've got to eat, but with so many options at the Wharf, choosing lunch is a tough call. We're sending you to another classic—Boudin's. This is the tried and true home of San Francisco sourdough; bread that is still made from the same "mother" dough that made SF famous in 1849. Avoid the ground-level café crowds, spend a little more, and dine in casual style at the upstairs restaurant.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop: Candy and ice cream shops line the streets of Fisherman's Wharf, but the classic Ghirardelli Square ice cream shop is still the best of the bunch. Massive sundaes named after San Francisco icons (and earthquakes) have been a special occasion treat of locals for decades.
Sea lions at Pier 39: Hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of the Bay's beloved sea lions made Pier 39 their home after the 1989 earthquake. No one really knows why, but the sea lion hangout along the west side of the pavilion is a fun spot to enjoy a snack from Pier 39 and relax with a hundred or so bathing, barking beauties.
Hyde Street Pier: Brisk, sunny days are the perfect time to escape the street vendors and explore the historic Hyde Street Pier. Located at the bottom of the Hyde Street cable car turnaround, the pier extends out onto the Bay and offers interactive exploration of the 1886 Balclutha, a ship that was used to bring supplies to San Francisco from Europe. Kids will love this education adventure, but adults shouldn't skip the Hyde Street Pier either. Running around on one of SF's oldest sea vessels is seriously fun and informative at any age.
