The Embarcadero
of San Francisco

The Embarcadero is the boulevard that runs all along the waterfront of San Francisco, from the Bay Bridge, past the Ferry Building, and down to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.

A number of San Francisco attractions are sprinkled along this street and it's a popular place for strolling.

It's also not a bad area to actually find parking in one of San Francisco's busiest areas.

Market Street in downtown San Francisco dead ends into the Embarcadero.

The vintage streetcars that run down Market Street continue onto the Embarcadero. You can ride them all the way along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf.

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Embarcadero Center

The Embarcadero runs along the waterfront piers and the eastern edge of the downtown area. 

Four high rises named 1, 2, 3 and 4 Embarcadero Center march into the downtown from the street; #4 is closest to the Embarcadero. They have parking garages inside (#s 3 & 4) as well as shops, fitness centers, and restaurants, and are lit up at Christmas to resemble wrapped presents.

See maps of the businesses inside the Embarcadero Center.

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Highlights of the Embarcadero...

Here are some of the best things to do and see on the Embarcadero. Plus tips on where to eat, where to park, and how to get there.

• Browse the food stalls at the Ferry Building
• Hop on the Alcatraz ferry and tour the island
• Admire the pretty bay and city views from the waterfront
• Explore the WWII liberty ship at Pier 35
• Enjoy the seafood and more in the cafes
• Take a ferry trip to Sausalito
• And explore the activities and sea lions at Pier 39

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The Ferry Building

Two ferry companies operate from the Ferry Building: the San Francisco Bay Ferry  and the Golden Gate Ferry, both publicly-owned companies.

The Blue and Gold Fleet and the Red and White Fleet are private tour companies that leave from Fisherman's Wharf. More on the SF Ferries.

Where can you travel to from the Ferry Building? Sausalito, Angel Island, Alameda, Vallejo, Tiburon, Larkspur, Richmond, Oakland, South SF, Chase Center, Oracle Park (for games).

Ferry schedules: SF Bay Ferry and Golden Gate Ferry.

San Francisco's main ferry terminal has morphed into a gourmet hotspot.

Inside the building is a collection of gastronomically-interesting booths and eating places to tempt visitors with special condiments, desserts, wines, and numerous other delicacies.

This is also the site of a popular farmer's market held here on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 to 2) and Saturdays (8 to 2), in front of the Ferry Building.

There's a popular food tour of the Ferry Building and Farmer's Market; another way to enjoy the treats, taste the food, and hear the history.

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Pier 14

The Embarcadero also runs south of the Ferry Building, to the base of the Bay Bridge.

Pier 14 is a popular pier that lies between the Bay Bridge and the Ferry Building.

It's a pedestrian walkway that stretches far out into the bay with great views of the city, the bridge and Yerba Buena Island.

This is a good place to watch the ships crossing under the Bay Bridge, and the ferries coming and going to the Ferry Building nearby. The end of the pier is a also popular fishing spot.

There's a series of metal plates along the pier with excerpts from Rudyard Kipling's poem, The Sea and the Hills. In part:

Who hath desired the Sea? Her menaces swift as her mercies?

The in-rolling walls of the fog and the silver-winged breeze that disperses?

It was on Pier 14 that Kate Steinle was killed in July 2015 by an illegal alien with a long criminal record who had already been deported 5 times, and who was released by SF Sheriff's office because of the San Francisco's sanctuary city policy. People often put flowers at the place where she died.

This is still a very popular pier, and it's actually in a very safe area, which made the attack even more shocking.

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Cupid's Span

Since 2002, a huge sculpture of Cupid's bow and arrow, Cupid's Span has decorated the area near Pier 14 at the base of the Bay Bridge. Some people love it and others don't; I think it's pretty cool.

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City Experiences Cruises - Pier 3

City Experiences runs its bay cruise ships out of Pier 3 (aka Hornblower Landing); they have a nice selection of cruises on the bay, like their popular brunch cruise and dinner cruise.

They also have cruises for special occasions like Christmas, New Years, Mother's Day, Fleet Week and more.

There's some limited public parking available as well.

We went on their San Francisco dinner/dance cruise. Delicious food and amazing views of the city and bridges.

For more details, and photos of this cruise, see my page on the SF dinner cruise.

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Pier 7

This is a great pier for strolling; good bay and city views. You can see the Bay Bridge, Yerba Buena Island, and the boats available for bay cruises at nearby Pier 3.

The San Francisco Belle in the photo is a fun steamboat that does bay tours.

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The Exploratorium - Pier 15

Pier 15 is the home of the Exploratorium, our fun, hands-on, science museum and play place.

See more on the Exploratorium.

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Pier 23

Pier 23 is home to a cavernous parking area and the eponymous restaurant.

The Pier 23 Cafe is a fun place to eat; down-to-earth burgers and seafood, a bit funky, with seating in back right on the water.

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Cruise Ship Terminal - Pier 27

Pier 27 is the location of the cruise ship terminal for San Francisco.

The terminal is a modern, two-level structure designed accommodate the 60 to 80 cruise ships that dock in San Francisco every year. The new terminal is a "green" building that collects rainfall on its roof. A large parking lot is adjacent.

Tip for cruise ship passengers: there are two garages near the waterfront that provide special arrangements for parking your car during a cruise. You can book a space online at either one:

• Anchorage Garage at 500 Beach Street in Fisherman's Wharf.
• Impark Garage at 80 Francisco Street, a couple of blocks from the cruise terminal.

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Alcatraz Landing - Pier 33

The ferry for Alcatraz leaves from Pier 33, known as Alcatraz Landing.

For tips on how to get tickets, which tour to choose, and what to expect on the island, see Alcatraz tours. (Book tickets ahead of your visit).

Popular tours that combine Alcatraz with another attraction:

• Alcatraz with Muir Woods, Sausalito and a city tour.
• Alcatraz with a Ferry Building food tour.
• Alcatraz with a city tour.

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Pier 35- explore the WWII ship

Pier 35 is the new home for a WWII liberty ship, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, that is open to the public. You can climb all over the ship, up onto the deck and down into the depths, where the boiler room scene from the Titanic was filmed.

The ship sails out on the bay on special occasions, like Fleet Week. Check out their events schedule.

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Pier 39 - the tourism playground of SF

This is San Francisco's waterfront shopping and entertainment pier. Pier 39 marks the end of the Embarcadero and the beginning of Fisherman's Wharf.

Yes it's touristy, but there's also a lot of fun things to do there. Ditto for Fisherman's Wharf. Definitely visit the sea lions at the end of the pier!

See more information on Pier 39 attractions.

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Transport for Weary Feet

Seeing San Francisco typically involves a lot of walking. If you want to save your feet a bit, there are pedicabs available near the Ferry Building.

Or try the Water Taxi, from Pier 1 ½, next door to the Ferry Building.

This little boat runs from here to the Hyde Street Pier at the far end of Fisherman's Wharf (only stop), or in the opposite direction to AT&T Park.

Runs frequently and costs $10 one-way ($5 for SF residents). Get a great view of the city skyline and the bay, including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Take a ferry to Sausalito or Angel Island

Take a ferry from the Ferry Building in SF to the charming, seaside town of Sausalito, north of San Francisco. The Golden Gate Ferry serves Sausalito from the Ferry Building.

Great views of the city skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge on the ferry ride (worth a trip just for that). Explore the little town and its art galleries and restaurants. About a thirty minute trip. No reservations are needed for the ferry. Plan to spend a couple of hours there. More on visiting Sausalito.

See Sausalito ferry for schedule. You can also take a ferry to Angel Island, a mountainous island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Pretty woodland hikes, gorgeous views, and a fascinating Immigration Museum.

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History of the Embarcadero

"Embarcadero" is the Spanish word for wharf, pier, or ship landing, coming from the verb embarcar, or embark, i.e. board a ship. San Francisco's heritage as a Spanish colonial outpost is reflected in the naming of the street.

The Embarcadero was already a busy port during the Gold Rush era. The area was called Yerba Buena Cove, named after Yerba Buena Island nearby (where the two sections of the Bay Bridge attach now).

The photo below was the view of the Embarcadero area as it looked in 1851, looking towards Yerba Buena Island and the Berkeley hills across the bay. San Francisco had no bridges at this point.

Later, a string of piers were built along the street that became the Embarcadero.

The odd numbered piers start at the Ferry Building and run north and west along the Embarcadero until they reach Pier 39, at the beginning of Fisherman's Wharf.

Here, the Embarcadero ran along the waterfront past the working piers. The piers were mainly used for commerce, loading cargo on ships coming and going from San Francisco.

Now, much of the cargo activity has moved to the Port of Oakland across the bay, which is better equipped to handle the huge container ships. The SF piers are now mainly focussed on tourism and entertainment.

The original buildings for the piers are still there on the Embarcadero. Some are used for parking, others for tourism boat departures and restaurants.

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Lots of good food on the Embarcadero

This is a great place to eat! Here are some suggestions:

In the Ferry Building

• Hog Island Oyster Co. Very popular, oysters and beyond.
• Lunette. Cambodian cuisine.
• No Pa Fish. Great seafood.
• Or just graze through all the tempting food stalls inside the building

Along the Piers

Pier 23 Cafe (pictured above). Family run reastaurant since 1985. Seafood and more. Try the yummy shrimp melt sandwich on sourdough. Beer, wine and cocktails. Sit out in back and admire the view. 

Bon Delire. French bistro food, including escargots. During dinnertime, enjoy French films projected on the wall. Pier 3.

La Mar. Peruvian cuisine, lots of seafood, and more. Pier 1½.

Across the street from the Ferry Building

Harborview Restaurant. Gourmet Chinese restaurant on the 4th floor of #4 Embarcadero Center, the building across the street from the Ferry Building, with a great view (hence the name). If you sit out on the porch, you'll be looking right at the Ferry Building. My favorite thing: they serve dim sum.

This is the sister restaurant of the popular R&G Lounge in Chinatown. See my Chinatown restaurants page for more info.

Pier 39 - lots of places to eat

Check out my page on Pier 39 for eating suggestions.

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More to explore in the area...

• Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf
• Ghirardelli Square
• Alcatraz tours

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Tips on using public transportation in San Francisco.

Best areas to stay in San Francisco.

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SF Bus, BART & Cable Car Routes

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