7.2 out of 10

Jefferson St, Fisherman's Wharf

Ranked 2nd best street in Fisherman's Wharf
37.8080939879142 -122.416776158528
Great for
  • Eating Out
  • Pest Free
  • Shopping Options
  • Safe & Sound
  • Gym & Fitness
Not great for
  • Childcare
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parking
  • Schools
  • Cost of Living
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Singles
  • Tourists

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
2yrs+

"Go for the Wine, Leave the Rest to the Tourists"

People who know me, know I am no big fan of tourist traps and would normally not be caught dead on the Wharf. It is like if you live near Disneyland and have to go every time a relative visits. The first couple of times you are caught up in the wonder of the Magic Kingdom, but by the fourth or fifth time you go you start to just be bored by the same rides and long lines. That’s the Wharf. If you are just visiting SF for the first time it might be like going on Space Mountain, but if you grew up here like I did, there are are only so many times you can hear the Peruvian flute players and chalk faced mimes.

That said, there is a reason to visit Jefferson Street in the Fisherman’s Wharf and that is the Winery Collective. If you don’t want to head up to Napa but want to go wine tasting and then enjoy the city with a bit of a wine buzz on, you can’t beat this little joint. It basically has the widest selection of wines that you could hope for. And even though you have to brave the touristy crowds to get there it is worth it.

That said, I would really not want to be on Jefferson for any other reason. Parking is terrible and even in the off-season it is packed with tourists. And don’t even bother trying in the middle of the summer in the height of the season. It is just terrible then.
Pros
  • The Winery Collective
  • Good for Taking Visiting Friends
  • Good for tourists
Cons
  • Bad Parking
  • Overpriced
  • Too many tourists
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 2/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Touristy, but entertaining"

Super touristy and if you are visiting, a must see. There are art galleries and souvenir shops galore. But there are also the Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, plenty of street performers, and plenty of places to eat like Joe's Crab Shack or the Rain Forest Cafe. You can walk through the Cannery and get to Beach Street and from there head up a block to Ghiradelli Square.

If you like parks, there is Aquatic Park and on a nice day, it's nice to just sit, but you can also walk through Aquatic Park and read about some historic stuff too.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Touristy...in a Good(ish) Way"

Jefferson Street is quintessential Fisherman's Wharf. With seafood restaurants galore, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Johnny Rocket's, the Wax Museum, Rainforest Cafe (I mean, REALLY), and, of course, San Francisco Sourdough, you will be hard-pressed to find many locals here. The outdoor mall is actually very cool, and you are guaranteed to find some delicious crab and melt-in-your-mouth Ghiradelli chocolate. You are NOT guaranteed to find public restrooms - even the Starbuck's doesn't have one - and the ones that are open to the public require a key from one of the nearby vendors (although you can probably get in there if you wait for someone to open the door).

It is very easy to spend an afternoon walking around, playing, feeling like a tourist, and spending money (although one could easily argue that the last two are synonymous with one another). This can be a very fun place to visit, and there are actually some very cool-looking apartment buildings in the area, but I wouldn't choose to live here.

If you are visiting SF, I would recommend carving out an entire afternoon to spend here, but I wouldn't stay here. The nearby Union Square area is about a 20-minute walk (depending on your pace, of course) and offers much more of a city/urban feel, with better restaurants. Don't plan on parking here.
Pros
  • Good for tourists
  • Shopping
Cons
  • Too many tourists
  • Overpriced
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
3/5
2yrs+

"Nice houses and near the piers"

Jefferson Street goes from Baker street to Powell Street. This street is very long, it pretty much runs along the San Francisco bay.This street has really nice houses, they are pretty big, most of them two to three stories high and they look very modernized and elegant. There are also apartments here, but they aren't as nice as the houses. There are trees lining the sidewalks and some of the houses have their own plants too. Jefferson street is near the Embarcadero, which is near the piers. This street is also near a park, the Joseph Conrad Park and it is also naer the Ghiradelli Square. Over all, I think this place is worth visiting.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"Fun Attraction For The Whole Family"

Jefferson Street is located near the docks. There are many other tourist and sidewalk souvenir shops with unique items. People seem extra friendly around this area. There are many neat tourist attractions and places to eat (many seafood themed) on and around Jefferson including a walk through aquarium a couple blocks away.
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"A critical linking street."

Once you reach Fisherman's Wharf &--following the shoreline--wander off the traveling party that is the Embarcadero, you are on Jefferson Street.

Walk past the bubbling crab pots [or don't!], buy a t-shirt at one of the many souvenir shops, then continue on down to the street's end at Aquatic Park. There's a beach here, with swimmers training for the "Escape from Alcatraz" or taking dive training.

From here, it's a short hop to Ghirardelli Square or Fort Mason. If you're on a bike, head over to Crissy Field or the Golden Gate Bridge with all the folks who rented bicycles at Fisherman's Wharf.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Boudin at the Wharf"

Obviously the Fisherman's Wharf area is a popular tourist destination in San Fransisco. During my families last visit we discovered Boudin at the Wharf. A first-of-its-kind bread museum and bakery tour, visitors learn the journey from starter dough to crusty loaf, including the four ingredients key to any respectable loaf (salt, water, flour, yeast) and the role that Boudin played in the Gold Rush. Along the way, you can also find out "what kind of bread are you?" (if you're tagged "Light Rye" you're considered fun, quick to laugh, easygoing), and why bread has bubbles.

The short self-directed tour is capped off with a tasting of the finished goods. Lots of fun, and smells great.

The Bakery also offers two dining options - a cafe and fine restaurant, Bistro Boudin. The Bistro is a little formal for children, but it offers brick oven pizza!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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Best Streets in Fisherman's Wharf

"One of San Francisco's most famous and loved spots!"
37.8081740551803 -122.409854442268
2

Jefferson St

3.5/5
"Fun Attraction For The Whole Family"
37.8080939879142 -122.416776158528

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