Musée Mécanique is one of the most charming and unexpected stops near Fisherman's Wharf. I loved that it is not a "look but don't touch" museum. It is full of vintage coin-operated machines, mechanical games, arcade classics, fortune tellers, and old-school amusements that you can actually play. The mechanical horse, Pac-Man Pixel Bash, and the antique arcade displays made the whole place feel like a living time capsule. The history makes it even better. The collection traces back to Ed Zelinsky, who started collecting mechanical amusements as a child, and many pieces connect to San Francisco's old Playland-at-the-Beach era before the museum eventually moved to Fisherman's Wharf. Admission is free, but bring quarters or small bills because the fun is in trying the machines. It is nostalgic, quirky, affordable, and very San Francisco. A great stop for families, tourists, history lovers, arcade fans, or anyone who enjoys playful hidden gems. read more

See all

This place is fantastic. I have always had an interest in coin-operated machines and own a number of antique ones myself. They have a great selection spanning literally more than a century. My daughter does not have quite as much interest in coin ops; however, she loved it as well. Imagine a museum where you get to touch and play with essentially everything. I spent less than $10 there and had a blast. I highly recommend this place and want to visit again someday. read more

Musee Mecanique - The welcome sign - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Located right next to Fisherman's Wharf, this place is a gem for tourists and locals alike. My friend had always wanted to go after seeing it in The Princess Diaries (although the museum was located at Cliff House back then), and we took a long walk from the Ferry Building all the way down to Pier 45 to check it out. Vintage games were as cheap as a quarter where you can play an old pinball machine, have a mechanical fortune teller spell out your future, or just watch some cute little carnival scenes. It was quite busy on a Saturday afternoon, and I enjoyed the energy of kids and adults alike running around from machine to machine. Go check it out! read more

Musee Mecanique - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place was hilarious! The fact that you can get so much joy out of a quarter is in immense. There were these little dancing guys that I just watched for a few minutes and I could not stop laughing. It's really nice to find these niche places where you can see these art and these games together in one place. read more

Musee Mecanique - Entrance - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

A Great experience on how people from before enjoying their daily lives. With no computer around .. The Simplest days to amuse you and play with your friends. One interesting thing too is that this arcade is still working. Try it with kids and let them enjoy how our forefathers enjoyed their past times read more

See all

It's a flashback to the past! Very large museum with games and arcades from the past years. Some are spooky from way back in the days and some I recognized from childhood. Takes quarters. There is a change machine. I loved the photo booths as I created sweet memories with loved ones. They are $5 for set of three strips. read more

See all

I randomly wandered in here and I am so glad I did. They say curiosity killed the cat but for this cat, she found such a treasure tonight that delighted her and gave her more life and not death. I love when you find something unplanned and it wqs cool to stumble on this place. This is the mechanical museum and its the largest privately owned collection of arcade games, with over 300 games available spanning 2 to 3 hundred years! It was a peek into the past and truly mesmerizing to see all the different arcades available! I spent a good 45 min in here and enjoyed every minute of it. Its like part museum, part interactive arcade and most of the games work. I played one arcade called the Opium Den and it was pretty weird and I wandered about the machine and how the people depicted in them all tended to look of Asiatic origin. Was good to see this piece of history but definitely got me thinking. And of course I found my cocktail Ms Pac Man and could not resist but play a game and someone left 1 credit so I had a free game on the house! I really enjoyed this place and totally worth a visit when visiting SF. So glad I found this place totally by accident!! read more

Musee Mecanique - Opium Den arcade - weird and creepy AF - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

I consider this place a must. A free arcade where many of the attractions are only a quarter (bring a 5 or 10 dollar bill, and you will be busy for an hour). Amazing. There are antiques, vintage machines, and good old air hockey (for only 4 quarters!) It gives a peek into how people entertained themselves 100+ years ago. The machines are lovingly maintained. My favorites are the Wurlitzer player pianos. read more

Musee Mecanique - If two adolescents can get this excited about an antique, then it must be good. Quarter well-spent. - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's seems like everyone likes to play games. You will see people playing each other. San Francisco is the city of games. Gamification has become the normal in SF. Whether it be online or social media and in IRL ( In Real Life) there is a game being played. Whether it's pickleball or Mario Kart games are being played .San Francisco are established champions at game with teams like the San Francisco , Giants , 49ers, and Warriors. Today there are lots political and corporation games are being played behind the scenes. There is a place in San Francisco which traces back the early DNA of games in San Francisco before any current San Francisco sports team played. One of places where games are being played in San Francisco often is in the tourist trap at Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 45 and it's called the Musée Mécanique. Walking inside the Musée Mécanique you feel like you step back in time. You will find vintage pinball machines and some classic video arcade games. On the walls there are pictures of Playland which once stood by the beach in San Francisco. It feels like a vintage game museum inside with lots of different types of games of the past. This is the place if you're a novice at video games or an arcade junkie. Some games here are archaic some are more electric "arcade" come to Musée Mécanique where games are being " played". Once you "arrive" you feel an arcade museum" vibe" it's the way I "describe" what's inside the Musée Mécanique at "Pier 45" Come to and play an video game of the past at an arcade game "station" see how games advanced over the years through technological"innovation" with different elements of "gamification"and play a game for a fun and vibrate "occasion" read more

See all

I looove anything vintage or antique so I had to go and see for myself....this talked-about Musee Mecanique (in English "Mechanical Museum"). When walked inside, the place was massive. I was like, "Where should I start?". I decided to visit each section at a time...I couldn't miss a thing. I really enjoyed playing the arcade games and discovering how the vintage machines work. My inner child was overjoyed! I wanted to spend the whole day there. Definitely a must-see for the Yelp Community!! This interactive museum was suuuper duuuper coool and it's FREE too :-) read more

See all

One unique arcade museum, Located at Fisherman's Wharf, this free-admission museum houses over 300 antique, coin-operated machines, including rare musical instruments, dioramas, and early arcade games. A worthwhile visit for all ages, arcade game fan or not. read more

Well, if you get bored with the touristy shops at Fisherman's Wharf, walk a few blocks over to Pier 48 to check out "Musee Mecanique". There's no entrance fee, so it's fun to go in and check out lots of really old arcade artifacts and then some much more recent pinball games. They have plenty of change machines to get quarters to play all the amusements. Fun to check out some of the old machines from early 1900's where they must have been easily amused, but I spent most of my quarters on the fun pinball games (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter, and Pirates of the Caribbean). I didn't see anywhere to buy any drinks or food but it's worth a half hour of your time. read more

See all

It's a free experience that allows you to experience a part of life that was decades ago. So many games and experiences that transports you back into time, why not take a visit? Then, when you want to take a break, step outside onto the deck and enjoy the salty air. There are also games that are a bit more "modern", but nothing here will you find that you would consider "new". read more

Musee Mecanique - Look at the disclaimer. - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Brought some friends over during our visit to SF. We enjoyed the large variety of arcade games and machines there. Only downside is that some machines required dimes and you could only get your money changed with the onsite staff however there were no staff available when we were there. read more

See all

Musee Mecanique is a gem of a mechanical toy museum. Yes, it's old timey, but it has a certain charm. It also has newer video game machines here. I think all the machines have a place for different folks and it's great for a little fun yet won't break your piggy bank in this very touristy part of town. Fun for the entire family. My favorite is the musical machine that showcase an old-time country fair with Ferris wheel. Located on Pier 45. read more

See all

Musee is such a fun place. I'm bummed this is my very first visit and MM has been here for so many decades! I don't recommend coming here during warm weather because there's no air conditioning or any kind of breeze coming through this large warehouse. climate aside, there are so many vintage arcade games here. I really didn't know what to expect when I arrived and MM exceeded my expectations. Younger children will likely be bored here, but there are some older electronic arcade games. The mechanical 'games' that we tried were crazy themed. I know it fit the times back then, but crazy to see them here. The only semi-controversial one I showed here was the Opium Den. That one didn't have as much 'action' as the two guillotine games and there is one of a hanging - YIKES. Anyhow, the machines are all definitely novel and I would bring my friends here to check out the sights. Don't forget to bring cash/coins. Some of these only play for about 5ish seconds and some seem to play on forever, but hey, there's no admission fee! read more

See all

I have lived in SF! Been back many, many times yet had no clue this place even existed! It was a blast! Completely free to enter, it's a room full of vintage gaming machines that are super cheap to play! We grabbed our dollars, turned them into quarters in their cash exchange machines and had a blast! Some weird macabre games like 'Watch a hanging' to pinball, sleet ball and more ! Super cheap , super fun and loved to see people of all ages enjoying some good vintage fun!! read more

See all

A great ending spot after walking around Fisherman's Wharf, they have something for everyone to do and enjoy!

This place is such a blast, especially if you're into old-school mechanical arcade games and coin-operated machines from decades past. It feels like walking into a living history of entertainment where everything still works and invites you to play. The prices are refreshingly low. Most machines only cost one or two quarters, which really adds to the throwback vibe. They have change machines that give you actual quarters, not tokens, which is nice. Musee Mecanique is located right on Pier 45, tucked behind the Boudin building near the abandoned seafood restaurants. There is a big paid parking lot right out front, making it convenient even on busy weekends. Inside, you'll find everything from early 1900s coin-operated novelties and fortune tellers to classic video games from the 80s and 90s. It is part museum, part arcade, and part time capsule. I love how it is both fun and a little educational. You can see how entertainment evolved over the years just by wandering through the rows of machines. While I hoped for more multiplayer retro games like the X-Men arcade in the back corner, I was thrilled to find Time Crisis 2 still going strong (only 1 of 2 so solo play only). That game completely drained my allowance growing up and I found myself hogging the machine again for that full nostalgic rush. Whether you are visiting with family, on a date, or exploring solo, this spot delivers. It is quirky, packed with personality, and one of the few places where people of all ages can genuinely enjoy themselves without spending a lot. Oh yeah, no food or drinks allowed inside! read more

See all

This is probably the best-kept secret on the Embarcadero. It's completely free to go inside (you pay for games/entertainment with quarters). There are so many weird displays and vintage games here (along with some classic video games). Every time I come to San Francisco, I have to pay this place a visit. read more

See all

This place is a treasure trove of old games and mechanical entertainment. It goes from early machines to 70's and 80's it's great! If you know much about this place, it was formerly out at Ocean Beach under the Cliff House, but this has been it's home for quite some time. It's better in this location. I always stop here when visiting the Wharf area. It's just plain fun. read more

See all

So this museum used to be located at the cliff house. Those of us local/older ppl will always think of it as being there. This move to the wharf took place hella years ago, and I'm surprised that I actually do love it at this location. I don't like changes lol, but parking is much easier for our out of town fam and friends and it feels so much more roomy etc. I think it managed to keep all of the charm it has at its OG location. Def worth a visit- free and super unique. A cheap and fun date or family experience. Very clean as well. read more

See all

What a trip to memory lane. This place bring memories but also learning that this is how it started of the games that we have in today era. Many of them are well maintained and continued to operate. Definitely a hidden historical gem tuck away in the tourist streets of San Francisco piers. read more

A whimsical and strange, sometimes macabre museum Definitely play the Wurlitzer! My favorite "games" were the miniature dioramas with moving parts. The only downside was one of the machines (it was a claw-type one) was broken and ringing the doorbell for help/maintenance did nothing. read more

This place was awesome to stumble across at the pier. A super cool collection that is still cheap enough to actually play. And they stay open pretty late. The employee we met clearly loves his job and collecting and told us fun stories about the history of some of the pieces. Definitely recommend stopping by! They have plenty of machines to exchange dollars for coins to play. read more

Musee Mecanique - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came here with my mom recently as we were in the area, as its been a VERY long time since I've step foot in this establishment. For a while I've seen this place be a top place in SF articles for a date night or something chill to do in this area given all the tourist trap prices and crowds. Admission is free, which makes this a budget friendly thing to do in the city. It's a warehouse-like place to walk around and observe all the old machines and attractions. As far as I know, the majority of things work when you put in a few quarters and can watch a little show, get a fortune telling, light something up, or have a giant clown laugh at you (i.e. the big Laughing Sally which was my mom's favorite and took her down a trip through memory lane. Apparently it used to be housed at the old Playland amusement park down by the beach). It's amazing that whoever maintains the little fun novelties here still has them going after who knows how many years. It's definitely a unique experience if you haven't been before. I wouldn't recommend driving -- take public transit instead! read more

A great blast from the past huge area that has soooo many cool items. Be sure to bring cash, a ton of old school quarter games from as far back to the day when these types of games began. read more

Musee Mecanique - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

It had been two decades or more since I had been to this, one of my favorite San Francisco attractions. Back then, it was at the Cliff House and was much smaller. Now, it is an amusement center spanning a couple of centuries, the likes of which I imagine may not be findable elsewhere. Even if you only have a day or two in San Francisco, don't miss this place. read more

I used to go here when it was at the old Cliff House location. First time here at new location last week. They have a lot of the same things that I remember from my childhood, and then some. Bigger space. I would make sure to bring cash so you can get change to play the games that require money. My favorite, Laughing Sal, is still there. My father had told me that a lot of the old games, including Sal, were left over from when San Francisco had Play land at the Beach. This was from the 1930s until the early 1970s, when it was torn down. Great SF place to visit! read more

Musee Mecanique - Laughing Sal at the Musee Mechanique. - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This is my wife's favorite place in SF. Yes, really. We don't make it to San Francisco as often as we used to, but this was the #1 thing she wanted to see on our recent trip. Plenty of really old and slightly old games and coin-op machines to keep the family busy for a while. Plus, it is steps away from the Boudin Bakery for lunch afterwards. Win, win. read more

Musee Mecanique - Coin-Op Machine - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Playland by the Sea is a regional phenomenon..it's a myth..there was a rollercoaster at the beach...no rollercoaster in SF now...Playland was at the beach...back then 1940 or 1970...quarter games.. read more

See all

I stumbled upon this place by accident as I walked along Embarcadero. This place is free to enter. It can best be described as a museum of entertainment machines covering a large time period. Each machine alone would probably be regarded as junk, but putting them all together, and now you have great entertainment nostalgia. Upon finding this place I spent the next hour and half feeding quarters into some of the machines. Some of these machines I have only seen in movies. I had a great time experiencing the entertainment that some of these provided since the early 1900s. I didn't take pictures because I was having so much fun! Lucky for me others have posted plenty of pictures. read more

Nostalgic, historical, antique arcade items. Fascinating! Love the old player pianos and the various arcade games including the fortune teller games. Well taken care of, fun for out of town guests. Located at Fisherman's Wharf. Definitely a place for all ages. Many of the coin operated arcade games and player pianos take coins and are quite functional. read more

See all

Fun place. Great historical machines. Entrance is free, just pay to play. Everything I played was $0.50, but a few higher priced games. Thought I would spend 15 min, rather was there for 90 min. Fun for the whole family! read more

See all

Were I in search of a fun place to stretch $20 or so I'd head straight to Musée Mécanique. I walked in here solo on a recent aftenoon excited by the possibilities of how to spend my money. I immediately engaged with the things you peer into to watch images of old San Francisco. This is up my alley. I got out of the way of the large group of chaperoned pre-teens who were leaving seemingly a bit before they desired. Even if your money runs out here, there's a lot to see and it's even fun to watch others spending theirs. Amused by all of the various contraptions that measure your propensity for love, I dropped some money in one and held my palm up to the window. The "Magic Ray" with the "Mystic Pen" pronounced me "melancholy and brooding, cultured, refined... a creative mind and magnetic personality". I was hooked but even though it "would like to advise you further" I had other ideas of where to spend my money. With 50 cents I activated a whole carnival that required me to walk around a big glass-enclosure as I implored others to look on. I can't begin to describe all the treasures here in this space which seems a bit hidden and known but not known. If I were a tourist I could easily imagine missing it entirely and I'd return home a little less happy for not knowing of it. Stash some cash in your pockets and seek it out. It's free to enter and look but I dare you not to spend a few coins (probably more). I'm so glad this place still exists. read more

Musee Mecanique - The Mystic Ray with the Electric Pen (aka the Magic Ray with the Mystic Pen)... who can resist? - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

What a great experience!! I have never seen a tetris arcade irl ever!!! Will be coming back for more And there are not shortage of other retro arcades Lots of arcades and super crowded, theres a guy around roller skating, I think he manages the place read more

See all

Located in the heart of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, Musée Mécanique is a fun and unique attraction that offers a nostalgic and interactive experience. The museum houses a fascinating collection of over 200 antique arcade games, fortune tellers, and other coin-operated contraptions dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Beyond the arcade games, the museum houses a collection of oddities and curiosities, from a fortune-telling parrot to a mechanical boxing kangaroo. Since I'm not familiar with or interested in vintage games and mechanics, arcade isn't really my cup of tea. Regardless, I still consider the time I spent in going around the museum a delightful experience. read more

See all

This was my second visit to this place and I think it's pretty cool. For free, you can walk in and admire all the mechanical games or you can play for cheap. You can definitely spend quite some time here. It was busy when we stopped by so we were in and out pretty quickly. We did win a rubber ducky at one of the vending machines which was pretty cute. Definitely worth checking out when in the area! read more

See all

Big Bro hasn't been to San Francisco for 37 years. Since he was up, I felt it was time to bring him out for a tour! We got through with Pier 39, so the wharf was next. As many times as I have been through the wharf, I've never noticed this place! If it weren't for Big Bro, I still prolly wouldn't have known this was here! And how cool is this place! I think we almost OD'd on nostalgia, everything in here reminded us of our childhood. It screamed OLD SKOOL everywhere. They even had the change machines for quarters should you decide to play! They also had some cool displays of mini-structures made of toothpicks. (This got my attention most.) Man, the time and work that went into them! We were on a strict timeline so we didn't get the chance to play, but if you find your way in the wharf, make a stop. It's a good place to kill time for both small and big kids alike. read more

See all

The arcade room is a blast from the past. The games are from 20, 30, 40, 50 years past. Most games cost $0.25 to $0.75 to play and experience. This is a nice reminder of how gaming started with simplicity. Most everyone appeared to have paid the fee to play and watch animatronic puppets perform. After touring the wharf this is a great place to stop. The games themselves are relics of the past definitely nostalgic. The pinball machine and skeet ball are still old favorites. It feels like you are in a museum but you get to play with everything. Definitely stop here for the experience. This place is so well laid out by theme. The low price and just the games itself are a great place to explore and take a bunch of selfies! read more

See all