San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf

It's a fun place to stroll around and get a flavor for the city. For those with only a day or two to spend in San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is a good place to start.

Fisherman's Wharf used to be not only a flourishing fishing harbor but also a real "Little Italy", the Genoese who made their homes here towards the end of the 19th century having been joined in due course by Neapolitans, Calabrians and Sicilians. Even now this Italian influence is still in evidence.

Though the harbor itself has become somewhat run down, few of the 12 million tourists who come to San Francisco each year depart without visiting Fisherman's Wharf with its many shops, restaurants, waxworks and other such attractions. And there are still some fishermen, many of whom welcome paying tourists on their fishing trips (from the quay north of Jefferson Street between Jones Street and Leavenworth Street). Catches include crayfish and crabs, soles, salmon, etc. Most of the fish are destined for local restaurants.