Why is fisherman wharf famous

The Wharf is gradually growing less clannish; the days are gone when the entire fleet, loaded with fishermen and their big families, would sail on Sunday to some wooded Marin shore for a mass picnic. On the first Sunday of October a long procession wounds down from Sts.

Fishermen like Manilcalco are a vanishing tribe — a rugged breed of men who earn their living by working alone against the elements with little more than some basic equipment and their won skill and muscle. The one man boats are giving way to larger craft worked by a crew. The fishermen who is alone all day with his thoughts on the rolling ocean is giving way to the youngster who likes to chat with other fishermen over his two way radio, contact the marine operator and phone his girlfriend or tune in on the local disc jockeys.

But crab fishing is not yet a safe or easy occupation. The fishermen still have to face storms and fogs and cold and rain. They still go to work in the middle of the night, and their boats move out the Golden Gate before dawn in a long parade, the lights flickering across the dark surface of the San Francisco Bay like the beacons of some phantom fleet. The San Francisco Bay and its offshore approaches are their life and livelihood and will continue to be, as long as crabs can be hauled from the ocean floor and the leaping silver salmon rise to the bait.

Fisherman's Wharf is one of San Francisco's most famous sites, a must-visit for most tourists in the 21st century. In fact, San Francisco was home to a large fishing fleet from its midth century beginnings all the way to the late 20th century.

Great efforts were made in the s and '70s to save the working part of Fisherman's Wharf from being completely overrun by ticky-tack tourist shops and hotels, even while the Port of San Francisco sought to facilitate the development of tourism as a way to offset the loss of shipping after the s. Laying claim to the area, they named the bay after Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy, and called the nearby settlement Yerba Buena. Coincidentally though, gold was discovered shortly after and what followed was the largest mass migration in American history.

San Francisco went from a sleepy fishing village of under 1, to over 30, people in the course a year. Shanty towns and a red light district were established and the surrounding city started to grow to support the increasing population of Gold Rushers. One San Francisco day in the mids, an Italian immigrant fishing for his supper caught two fish on one hook.

When a passing gold miner offered to purchase the extra fish, the enterprising young immigrant suddenly found his version of the American dream. Today, the main wharf in between Hyde Street Pier and Pier 45 is the heart of the community. Colorful Italian felucca boats are docked out front for all to gaze upon and fishing tours commence early every morning if you feel so inclined.

This is where we catch much of our famous Dungeness crab. If you have not tried this, you must! They are smaller and sweeter than your average crab but oh so delicious.

Crab season is from November through June, but we catch enough and freeze them so you can enjoy this delicacy year-round. Then came the Italians who joined in selling seafood. It attracts more than 12 million visitors each year putting it in 3rd place for most visited attraction in the country only behind Disneyland and Disney World. According to the numbers cited by the city way back in , there are 1, Sea Lions -obviously there must be more of the sleeping giants hanging around now.

Who loves Chocolate? Years ago, Domenico Ghirardelli bought the entire city block for his chocolate factory in The factory relocated years later, and the square evolved into a retail area that it is today. San Francisco Attractions. California Road Trip Bundle. Get the best rate plus parking and no facility fee! Parking in San Francisc Starbucks On Us. It makes sense that the s' home of flower power, historic rock concerts and the Summer of Love is also home to Outside Lands , a Just count how many package- and laptop-toting locals climb on and hop off as you ride.

This can provide a good opportunity to see cars arriving and getting turned around on the massive turntable, but if you want a shorter wait, you can get just as good a ride on the quieter Powell-Hyde Cable Car line , or you can board a car at any of the en-route stops. For a fascinating look at how the historic cars have criss-crossed the city since , visit the free Cable Car Museum , where you can see three antique cars from the s and gain an understanding of how the cables that power the cars actually work.

At the terminus, single one-way fares must be bought in advance of boarding. Fares may be paid to the conductor on board at all other stops. You can also purchase fares via the free MuniMobile app; the cable car routes start running at 6. A downloadable map of the cable car routes is available on the Market Street Railway site. This annual jaunt, the oldest Early bird, morning, and afternoon visits to the island with cell house audio tours are offered daily.

The audio tour includes recorded comments from former Alcatraz inmates, is both chilling and fascinating, and adds notable depth to your visit. For a bizarre twist, consider taking the eerie after-dark tour. Rich in history, the island is also home to the first lighthouse and first U. On clear days, Alcatraz boasts degree views. Fall gets its groove on in San Francisco with this day festival, showcasing a broad phenomenal array of jazz artists—from classic sounds to edgy avant-garde.

Hear these unique brands of this The undeniable highlight—and huge crowds prove it—is the nighttime parade In San Francisco, ingredient-driven menus reign supreme. Many chefs work closely with local farms and food purveyors to get exactly the ingredients they want. Special-occasion fine-dining restaurants, many sprinkled with Michelin stars, are aplenty, like the smooth sophistication of triple-starred Quince , Benu , Atelier Crenn and Saison , and the double-starred Coi , Acquerello and Lazy Bear.

Of course, Michelin stars are not a prerequisite to having a memorable dining experience. Lively, crowded and innovative options line the streets of the Mission District , particularly along Valencia Street.

Another long-standing seafood favourite is Tadich Grill , near the Embarcadero. Visit the Mission for their famously cheap and gargantuan burritos, or track down food vans serving up nearly every kind of food imaginable at gatherings sponsored by Off the Grid. San Francisco also has more than its share of excellent places to eat where the view is as good as the food. Timed to coincide with the springtime blossoming of delicate cherry trees, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is a long Union Square , the elegant space encircled by tall palm trees in roughly the middle of San Francisco, is a bustling gathering place that also serves as a hub for California luxury shopping.

Francis , to clink martini glasses and compare notes. Anyone longing for a European vibe will feel right at home wandering the narrow, boutique-lined, almost-pedestrian-only Maiden Lane car-free from 11 am to 6 pm. Of course, all that shopping can be exhausting. Union Square makes it easy to recharge: the square has plenty of sunny benches for relaxing. Or order an espresso and a flaky pastry at the fancy Emporio Rulli , with its pleasant outdoor seating under market umbrellas in the square.

If you are on a tighter budget, try Dojima Ann for Japanese comfort food, or have the classic American diner experience at the Pinecrest Diner. Come on a Sunday to enjoy a champagne brunch in the lavishly luxurious Garden Court of the Palace Hotel a top spot for local matriachs spoiling their grandchildren , which is just one of many destination-in-themselves hotels in the area.

During the Christmas season, Union Square transforms into a wintry, family-filled charmer, with an ice-skating rink and little ones staring up at an enormous Christmas tree —and glittering shop windows all around. Insider tip: if travelling to Union Square by car, plan your journey with the help of this parking and street map of the area. Pack a blanket, some snacks and your dancing shoes for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival , a massive, free, three-day First, there are the beaches and how many major cities have several beaches?

Be warned, though: clothing is optional, particularly on its north end. Splurge on a stay at one of the two historic hotels on-site, the Inn at the Presidio , or the Lodge at the Presidio.

And just inland from Crissy Field is the grandiose Palace of Fine Arts , originally built for the Pan-Pacific Expo and now home to an intimate theatre. Today, the more than buildings that once housed personnel and fulfilled other needs of the Army serve as excellent examples of military architecture through the years. Thanks to preservation efforts, many of them have been handsomely converted into open-to-the-public destinations, including justly popular restaurants such as Sessions at the Presidio , the Presidio Social Club and The Commissary.

Also taking up residence is the Walt Disney Family Museum , which focuses on the personal history and brilliance of the man behind the mouse. It is a trip in every sense of the word, and probably as close as you can get to Asia without a passport. Here are eight worthwhile destinations and activities; for an even more in-depth experience, consider joining a guided tour, such as the All About Chinatown walking tours or food-centric Wok Wiz. Inside the landmark Chinatown YWCA building, designed by architect Julia Morgan in , this museum does a superb job of presenting exhibitions and programmes related to Chinese culture and Chinatown history.

You can find out about various Chinatown events here as well. Admission is free. Tin How Temple. Go back in time in the century-old Buddhist temple, housed in a four-level apartment building, where locals pray, burn incense, and get their fortunes read. A donation is requested. Hop Hing Ginseng Company. Feeling lethargic? Let the helpful proprietors of this long-respected Chinese apothecary recommend revitalising teas and tonics prepared with dried herbs, or buy their famous ginseng and other herbs by weight.

Notable favourites include tender glazed spare ribs and delicate salt-and-pepper Dungeness crab. Sample the many brews served at this tea bar and shop, which has three locations. It is filled with an extraordinary variety of teas, with intriguing blends such as baby chrysanthemum and ginger pine, as well as more traditional green, white, and oolong teas.

Ming Lee Trading. This old-fashioned grocery and de facto sweet and snack emporium seems to offer everything from litchi gummies and green-tea Kit Kats to dried and salted fruits, noodles and spices. The best thing about a visit here is witnessing owner Tane Chan in action as she whirls from one customer to the next, chatting, laughing, and helping to select the best wok for each shopper.

Visit sfparkingguide. In the Castro , a rainbow flag flaps in the wind above colourfully painted pedestrian crossings, making one big statement: San Francisco welcomes the LGBTQ community with open arms. Every June is Pride Month, which culminates on the last weekend when up to a million visitors flock to the city for the annual and outrageous San Francisco Pride celebration.

Taking place in front of City Hall at Civic Center Plaza —a location steeped in LGBTQ history— the festivities include live music and comedy on the main stage, plus cabaret, a Country-Western Dance Corral, a Leather Alley carnival and, pretty much everywhere you look, elaborately costumed performers. Keep your eyes open for celebrities—the celebration has become a real see-and-be-seen opportunity. A note to parents: there are plenty of pride events that are family- and kid-friendly going on in San Francisco during Pride Month.

Directly opposite the Asian Art Museum right around the corner from the Civic Center , the annual Family Garden event offers the perfect venue for kids to celebrate diversity with arts, crafts, face-painting and more; children are also encouraged to participate for free in the San Francisco Frontrunners Pride Run.

You can also check the events calendar at Habitot. Insider tip: when planning a visit to San Francisco during Gay Pride Month, be sure to book well in advance, as accommodations fill up quickly. Gardens, glades, quiet lakes— Golden Gate Park is the emerald heart of San Francisco , a classic city park where everyone, from first-time visitors to go-every-weekend locals, can find something amazing to see or do.

On the north side is the de Young Museum , showcasing a world-class collection of classical art from around the world. Opposite the de Young is the equally impressive California Academy of Sciences , home to a planetarium, aquarium, living four-storey rainforest and natural history museum, all under an undulating living roof. Other treasures abound, easily discovered by bike rentals are available along Stanyan and Haight Streets on the east side of the park; make sure you get a lock too.

San Franciscans seriously love their park. Insider tip: going to the park with a particular activity in mind? In San Francisco , there are few quiet nights, and though bars and clubs may call it quits at 2 am, the city makes sure you stay busy until closing time.