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    The Embarcadero Waterfront

    4.2 (178 reviews)

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    Joan W.

    This is a nice walk along the water especially on a sunny day. Places to check out could be the Exploratorium, Levi's Plaza, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, Ferry Building, and walking under the Bay Bridge. There are many restaurants with bay views as well as fruit and hot dog vendors usually springing up trying to get the after Alcatraz crowd that comes back on the Ferry. From Fisherman's Wharf to the Ferry Building is a little over a mile and 30 minutes to walk and from the Ferry Building to Oracle Park it's about the same totaling 2.5 miles. To come back I'd recommend The E and F streetcar which is another cool experience. Along the way there are constant views of the water, Telegraph hill, Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Transamerica Pyramid. There seem to be many joggers here. To make the walk longer take the Filbert or Greenwich Stairs up to Coit Tower. For more hiking ideas, here's a collection of other trails I've reviewed: https://bit.ly/43PhQtL

    Alina N.

    Embarcadero has always been one of my favs in SF. We are so lucky to have the gorgeous waterfront and it's typically sunny on the south end of Embarcadero. I used to walk it every weekend but sometimes there's an experience that makes you really grateful for living here. Last weekend Diplo held his first ever Diplo Run along the Embarcadero and then threw a music festival right after. The run along the water front was amazing and the music fest underneath the bay bridge was the biggest vibe! This video will always remind me how lucky I am to be back in SF; especially after living in Texas where here's no waterfront in Austin and it's way too hot to run anywhere. Additionally, the city keeps this area super clean and enjoyable. I would absolutely love to see more restaurants and shopping along the entire strip to make it event more fun. Outdoor restaurants, rooftop movie nights, fun dog parks, outdoor markets and wine bars; it would make this place even more dreamy.

    This little sailboat by the mighty Oakland Bay Bridge !
    Joanna T.

    One of the best Cities in the world. A world class view front the waterfront-our own Embarcadero!

    Phil A.

    Lots to see when walking along the Embarcadero Waterfront!! The Ferry Building and Cupid's Span are just a few of the attractions here. Multiple restaurants and bars, great bay views, and always that bay breeze is what you'll get also. This is always a busy area, with tourists and locals blending together either walking or running, filling this area with energy. Sometimes I come to the City just to hang out in this area, BART will let you off right near the Ferry Building.

    Robert S.

    Amazing place to visit especially during sunset and sunrise. Great place to walk around. San Francisco Giants stadium is there too.

    From the pier, Looking at the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and Oakland in the distance.
    Jacqueline S.

    We walk here a lot, afternoons, lunchtimes during work and we come during the weekends- especially when it is a stifling hot day. You can count on the bay breezes, water views, local dining and people watching to revive you. You can get off transit (BART, Muni street cars, Sausalito ferry) at Market St / Embarcadero and explore the shops or walk along the water. The sidewalks are extra large and well maintained, easy to walk, bike ride head out with a destination in mind (Exploratorium, Pier 39 or a longer walk to Ntl Maritime Museum, Ghirardelli Square or the Yerba Buena bar for a Irish Coffee) .... Enjoy!

    Anand P.

    Great place to hang out. Do you like farmers markets? They have them here on the weekends. Lots of ferries going to east bay and north bay. Tons of food inside the hangar as well as bunches to relax or enjoy your meal. They also have petty cab rides available to take you to other parts of the city.

    01.01.19 Happy New Year 2019!
    May A.

    San Francisco's spectacular waterfront! The Embarcadero runs along San Francisco's northern waterfront for 2.5 miles, from AT&T Park to Pier 39. Twice we've braved the cold and rang the New Year here in San Francisco at the Embarcadero Waterfront [2017 and 2019]... it is in the northeastern stretch of shoreline in SF. I'm not in San Francisco often but I do enjoy walking along by the water, you get some beautiful views from here, most notably the Bay Bridge and, at night, when the bridge is lit up, it looks pretty nice! The Ferry Building Marketplace is definitely a place to check out. It's always packed with many locals and tourists. Should you want to take the ferry to parts of the Bay Area the schedule is posted inside the marketplace. You will also find Cupid's Span here at the waterfront. It's a cool piece of artwork of a giant Cupid's arrow sunk to the ground... you can say you left your heart in San Francisco. Good luck taking a selfie here, you won't be able to unless you're taking it from across the street. It's a unique landmark overlooking the Bay Bridge. The Hornblower and Red and White Fleet also takes off from here. We've had some fun times at the Hornblower during a big Yelp event "Gay on the Bay" where a few of us renewed our vows. A couple of months later we followed it up with a brunch cruise UYE. We've also enjoyed some sightseeing cruises of the Golden Gate Bay, bridge & Alcatraz on the Red and White Fleet. It takes off from Pier 43-1/2 at Fisherman's Wharf. So many things to do and places to eat at the Embarcadero. It's a part of San Francisco I enjoy visiting a lot. When you're in town don't forget to stop by here. Be mindful that it's a big tourist spot so everything is expensive. Enjoy your day in the City by the Bay! Review #1255

    Veronica K.

    I love The Embarcadero! They have tons of restaurants and shops for everyone. Last time I was here, it was busier. On my most recent visit, there were barely any. Maybe cause they weren't fully open... hahaha but it's the silence and the calmness that really made this visit more special. I was able to appreciate the waterfront more. I also rode a bike here so I took it as an opportunity to stop and take a breather.

    Sabrina S.

    The Embarcadero is always filled with wonder! It truly captures the heart of the city. I love being here around the holiday time, it always reminds me of when my parents were alive & I was a small child. My dad would carry me on his shoulders as I took in all the beauty one heart could hold.

    Terminal
    Andrea U.

    Lots of vendors, fabulous marketplace, views of the bay bridge, lots of places to sit relax, eat, shop and people watch

    "Passage" a.k.a. Whoopi and Weepie
    Ed U.

    Yeah, I like to wear my aviator Ray-Bans and polyester-blend shirt unbuttoned to my bulbous navel - strutting the wide sidewalk in my platform shoes along the Embarcadero waterfront. Does my hair look good? "Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a SoMa man - no time to talk. Music loud and asphalt warm, I've been kicked around since I moved here. And now it's all right...it's OK. And you may look the other way. We can try to understand the Embarcadero for this man. Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', and we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive." Hey Ferry Building!...Lookin' good, man! Hey Bay Bridge!...Don't let that Golden Gate steal your thunder! Hey AT&T Park!...Batter up, dude! Hey T-Line!...Whoa!...you're on time! Hey Bow and Arrow going into the ground!...Uh, whatever! "Well now, I get low and I get high, and if I can't get either, I really try. Got the wings of heaven on my shoes. I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose. You know it's all right...it's OK. I'll live to see another day. We can try to understand the Embarcadero for this man. Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin', and we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive..." OUCH...OUCHHH!...LEG CRAMP!! LEG CRAMP!!!! Somebody help me...anybody?? 9-1-1...please! OK, here's my favorite use of that song... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82zrU3971DM

    View of Bay Bridge from the Embarcadero waterfront.
    Daniel B.

    The Embarcadero Waterfront consists of San Francisco's northeastern stretch of shoreline starting from the south at 2nd St. in South Beach and running north, past the Bay Bridge and Ferry Building, to North Beach and Pier 39 (and eventually Fisherman's Wharf). The waterfront's total distance is about 2.5 miles and is popular with runners, joggers, walkers, pet-owners, families, tourists, and panhandlers. When the weather is nice (in other words, not foggy), the Embarcadero Waterfront provides some of the best views of San Francisco Bay. Best of all, it's free. I think the best views and pictures can be had on the strip closest to the Ferry Building. When the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is going on, there is quite a bit of activity and it's a lot of fun. You can shop, try unique food and drink, listen to live music from local artists, or have a seat at one of the Ferry Building's restaurants or cafes' bay-side patios. It's relaxing and picturesque. The Ferry Building isn't too far from the Bay Bridge itself. Therefore, pictures of the bridge (or pictures with the bridge in the background) usually turn out great. If you walk towards the bridge from the Ferry Building, there's a long pier (Pier 14) which runs far out into the bay. It makes for some additional excellent photo ops. The Embarcadero Waterfront is easily accessible by foot and public transit. If traveling by car, metered street parking is available directly along the waterfront. There are also various pay lots (parking garages) available a few blocks west into the city. You can check the Ferry Building's web site for details and directions to some of these garages. When you visit, remember to bring sunglasses, a windbreaker, and a camera.

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    Ask the Community - The Embarcadero Waterfront

    Review Highlights - The Embarcadero Waterfront

    Should you want to take the ferry to parts of the Bay Area the schedule is posted inside the marketplace.

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    San Francisco Chinatown - CA Lottery selling lotto tickets and doing promo prizes at the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Feb. 16, 2025.

    San Francisco Chinatown

    4.1(602 reviews)
    0.8 miChinatown

    A special place in SF…read more Love how many dim sum spots there are, grab and go. Lots of Chinese restaurants too And takeout spots. Really happy about the new businesses opening up here! Yes bring the energy and charm! Parking can be hard so park at Portsmouth Square garage

    San Francisco Chinatown: 2026 Feb 7 (5 of 5)…read more Rediscovering San Francisco Chinatown: It's been eleven years since I last visited the Chinatown in San Francisco. What I remember: Chinatown was a bustling, dense, and vibrant enclave. The atmosphere was unique, created by the combination of its architecture, street life, sounds, and smells. Human activity was electric. It was a rush, as ladies pulling shopping carts jostled their way through the crowds, while little children tugged at their sleeves, trying to catch up with their mothers. I remember elderly men playing chess with one leg bent, and ladies practicing tai chi in the park. Today's Chinatown seemed more subdued. The high-energy I once experienced has toned down quite a bit. The scenes looked different. The once triple parked streets and crowded walkways looked almost deserted. San Francisco Chinatown is easily walkable. We walked along Waverly, Montgomery, Grant, California, Jackson, Columbus, Broadway, towards North Beach. Along the hidden alleys, I noticed colourful arts and paintings on the walls. A queue has formed outside the fortune cookie shop, so we joined in to take a peek. We stopped and peeked at the menus posted outside eateries. The menus still looked exotic - some items I couldn't even pronounce. San Francisco Chinatown's historic charm still exists and the walk is still adventurous. Would I return to this walkable enclave? You bet I will. There's always something that's 'new' to fresh eyes.

    Photos
    San Francisco Chinatown - CA Lottery selling Lotto tickets and doing promo prizes at the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Feb. 16, 2025.

    CA Lottery selling Lotto tickets and doing promo prizes at the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Feb. 16, 2025.

    San Francisco Chinatown - Hang Ah's dilapidated signage

    Hang Ah's dilapidated signage

    San Francisco Chinatown - San Francisco Chinatown: 2026 Feb 7 (5 of 5)

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    San Francisco Chinatown: 2026 Feb 7 (5 of 5)

    Lombard Street

    Lombard Street

    4.2(852 reviews)
    1.3 miRussian Hill

    Like a real world Disneyland ride!!! I loved the thrill of careening down this curvy switchback…read moreroad! It was an unexpected glitch in our cross town trek and so much FUN! I immediately wanted to do it again! All the time I lived in San Francisco, I never drove down this crazy road with all the hairpin turns! Probably because my VW convertible had so little engine power, that I frequently had to turn around before I reached the top of some hills!! We were powering along in an SUV, and it was up to the task! Hopefully the pedestrians walking up the hill (use the sidewalks)! weren't too terrified.

    As we headed out for the day to explore Downtown San Francisco, we figured we needed to check out…read morethe iconic Lombard Street. Some claim, the "crookedest street in the world". Apparently, we were not the only ones looking to check it out. There was a short wait to get on the street, due to traffic. But once on it, yep, we can confirm it's pretty damn crooked. it was a cool drive, with lots of hair pin turns to drive one block, but not something I'd want to have to deal with every day. It was a fun detour, and worth checking out to say you did it. Side note - I can't imagine living on this street, paying San Francisco real estate pricing, having tourists driving down it 24 hours a day, I'm not even sure how these people get out of their driveways, there's got to be constant traffic.

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    Lombard Street - Lombard street 1/2025

    Lombard street 1/2025

    Lombard Street
    Lombard Street

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    Japantown - Cherry Blossom Festival vendor

    Japantown

    4.2(547 reviews)
    2.3 miLower Pacific Heights, Japantown

    Came to San Francisco during Super Bowl week and had the chance to explore Japantown and Lower…read morePacific Heights again, and it honestly reminded me why I love this city so much. After being in Washington, D.C., where it was much colder, the warm SF weather felt amazing and made walking around the neighborhood even better. The food was incredible! We tried several different restaurants, and every place had something special, from comforting ramen to fresh sushi. Japantown has such a great mix of authentic flavors, cozy spots, and unique little shops that make the whole experience feel lively and welcoming. Being back in San Francisco, enjoying great food, good weather, and the energy of Super Bowl week, was just an all-around great feeling. I truly believe this is one of the best Japantowns in the country, and I can't wait to come back and explore even more.

    Japantown has always been a go to spot for us when we miss Japan, of course there is no comparison,…read morebut Nijiya Market has always been a good spot for Bento boxes, sushi, Sashimi, anything you want- quality has always been good, and if you get there later before closing, they discount some of the items. It's located on Post and Buchanan, street parking if you can find it but they have a parking garage underneath the shops and restaurants. They have so many good spots for Sushi, Ramen, Sophie's Crepes is another fav, Boba, you won't be disappointed! We will be back!

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    Japantown - The last of the cherry blossoms

    The last of the cherry blossoms

    Japantown - 12/28/25 FYI. Food & drink options.

    12/28/25 FYI. Food & drink options.

    Japantown - Godzilla

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    Godzilla

    The Parrots of Telegraph Hill

    The Parrots of Telegraph Hill

    4.6(108 reviews)
    0.6 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill

    I've never actually seen 'the Parrots of Telegraph Hill' on Telegraph Hill but have seen them all…read moreover the Northeastern part of the city like Russian Hill, Pac Heights, North Beach, and the Embarcadero area. This is one of those things at least for me is that when I'm looking for them I won't find them but they turn up all the time when I least expect it. They are very distinct because these birds are LOUD. Especially if they are in a big group, they are really noticeable. It sounds like they are constantly arguing about something or chanting together with high pitched voices. The birds are quite pretty with a rich green hue and red head. If you are looking for them specifically the best bet would be to go to Ina Colbrith Park or across the street from Sue Bierman Park in the Embarcadero at the aptly named 'Parrot Park'.

    Dang! These guys are loud! (But adorable)…read more First of all, this neat group of animals have a documentary featuring them: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424565/ and a really cool website discussing their existence: http://www.markbittner.net/parrot_pages/wildparrots.html (by the author of a book bearing their name) Scoping out the parrots is one of my favorite free hobbies in San Francisco (free hobbies are few and far between in SF - hahaha!) The best way to hear and see them is in Sue Bierman Park, which is just west of the Ferry Building or on Telegraph Hill in and among the trees along the Greenwich and Filbert Steps. I find that they are loudest in the afternoons until sunset.

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    The Parrots of Telegraph Hill
    The Parrots of Telegraph Hill
    The Parrots of Telegraph Hill

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    The Embarcadero Waterfront - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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