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San Francisco 2016, Day 6

Fisherman’s Wharf

We got a taste of Fisherman’s Wharf along the Barbary Coast Trail.  On Day 6, it’s full immersion.  San Francisco locals scorn Fisherman’s Wharf as being a tourist trap to be shunned at any and all times.  But San Franciscans have never done Fisherman’s Wharf Billy-style.  My friend Francisco accompanied me, so he can vouch for the experience.

Alcatraz Island

Morning at the Pier 39 Marina. Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, United States, North America.
Morning at the Pier 39 Marina.

I couldn’t believe that it took me 30 years from the 1st time I arrived in San Francisco to finally make it to Alcatraz.  And it was completely worth the wait.  Alcatraz is of course one of San Francisco’s top tourist attractions.  But it is no tourist trap.  It’s an educational experience.  And there is a superb audio tour.  You even get a nice boat ride out of the deal.  By all means, take a trip to the Rock!

It's a bit of a surprise to arrive on Alcatraz and be greeted by graffiti left over from a 19-month occupation of the island by Native Americans that began in 1969 to protest their treatment by the government. The graffiti was left as a historical document. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
It’s a bit of a surprise to arrive on Alcatraz and be greeted by graffiti left over from a 19-month occupation of the island by Native Americans that began in 1969 to protest their treatment by the government. The graffiti was left as a historical document.
The federal prison on Alcatraz was in operation from 1936 to 1964. The prisoners at Alcatraz had pretty bare accommodations. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
The federal prison on Alcatraz was in operation from 1936 to 1964. The prisoners at Alcatraz had pretty bare accommodations.
Alcatraz's grand atrium, rivaling that of the Hyatt Regency. When it was completed in 1912, the cellhouse was the largest steel-reinforced concrete building in the world. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States.
Alcatraz’s grand atrium, rivaling that of the Hyatt Regency. When it was completed in 1912, the cellhouse was the largest steel-reinforced concrete building in the world.
I guess with a little bit of decor, it's not so bad! Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
I guess with a little bit of decor, it’s not so bad!
Grim prison cells notwithstanding, you get a pretty sweet view of the San Francisco skyline from Alcatraz. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Grim prison cells notwithstanding, you get a pretty sweet view of the San Francisco skyline from Alcatraz.
Not to mention a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
Not to mention a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The remaining residents of Alcatraz make the most of their exercise time. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
The remaining residents of Alcatraz make the most of their exercise time.
There's one thing I can always count on in San Francisco: the light from the Alcatraz lighthouse flashing across the bay. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
There’s one thing I can always count on in San Francisco: the light from the Alcatraz lighthouse flashing across the bay.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Hey, we were just there! A sailboat passes by Alcatraz, seen from Municipal Pier. Municipal Pier, an extension of Van Ness Avenue, juts out into the bay at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
Hey, we were just there! A sailboat passes by Alcatraz, seen from Municipal Pier. Municipal Pier, an extension of Van Ness Avenue, juts out into the bay at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Maritime Museum and Visitor Center

I did a quick pass through San Francisco Maritime on Day 1 along the Barbary Coast Trail.  Now it was time for an in-depth exploration.  When it comes to nautical history, I’m biased towards the East Coast and especially my hometown of Boston.  But I was quite impressed with the offerings at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.  And its location on San Francisco Bay can’t be beat!

One of the best sites at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is the Maritime Museum, which houses historical nautical objects. Here is a scale replica of a 19th-century whaleboat used in what had been the lucrative Massachusetts-based whaling industry. San Francisco, United States, North America.
One of the best sites at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is the Maritime Museum, which houses historical nautical objects. Here is a scale replica of a 19th-century whaleboat used in what had been the lucrative Massachusetts-based whaling industry.
Delicate 19th-century scrimshaw on an orca whalebone. The Maritime Museum is housed in a very art deco building built as a bathhouse in 1939. WPA murals adorn the walls. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Delicate 19th-century scrimshaw on an orca whalebone. The Maritime Museum is housed in a very art deco building built as a bathhouse in 1939. WPA murals adorn the walls.
Only the head remains of a full-bodied Scottish figurehead from a 19th-century English ship. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Only the head remains of a full-bodied Scottish figurehead from a 19th-century English ship.
One of a pair of very casual lions that decorated a British ship. San Francisco, United States, North America.
One of a pair of very casual lions that decorated a British ship.
I thought maybe Stevie Nicks stopped by, but it was decorative work by a sailor to beautify and protect a glass bottle. San Francisco, United States, North America.
I thought maybe Stevie Nicks stopped by, but it was decorative work by a sailor to beautify and protect a glass bottle.
The historic ships at Hyde Street Pier. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The historic ships at Hyde Street Pier.
More nautical exhibits are located at the park's Visitor Center. The Farallon Island Light protected vessels entering and departing San Francisco Bay for over a century. San Francisco, United States, North America.
More nautical exhibits are located at the park’s Visitor Center. The Farallon Island Light protected vessels entering and departing San Francisco Bay for over a century.

Hyde Street Pier

Mighty "Hercules"! "Hercules", one of several historic ships on Hyde Street Pier, is a steam-powered tugboat built in 1907. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Mighty Hercules! Hercules, one of several historic ships on Hyde Street Pier, is a steam-powered tugboat built in 1907.
The wardroom (Officer's Country) on the "Balclutha", a Scottish ship built in 1886 to haul wheat from California, around South America, to Europe. The wardroom on my navy ship was definitely not so plush. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The wardroom (Officer’s Country) on the Balclutha, a Scottish ship built in 1886 to haul wheat from California, around South America, to Europe. The wardroom on my navy ship was definitely not so plush.
My ship in the navy definitely didn't have this! A unsuspecting pig was brought on board the "Balclutha", not knowing he was destined to be Christmas dinner. San Francisco, United States, North America.
My ship in the navy definitely didn’t have this! A unsuspecting pig was brought on board the Balclutha, not knowing he was destined to be Christmas dinner.
View of my favorite bridge (that's the Golden Gate Bridge, just in case) from the deck of the "Balclutha" on Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. San Francisco, United States, North America.
View of my favorite bridge (that’s the Golden Gate Bridge, just in case) from the deck of the Balclutha on Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
The Balclutha and Hercules, seen from the deck of the ferry Eureka on the Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The Balclutha and Hercules, seen from the deck of the ferry Eureka on the Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Even the cars below decks on the ferry Eureka are historic at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Even the cars below decks on the ferry Eureka are historic at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
The upper decks of the ferry Eureka on Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The upper decks of the ferry Eureka on Hyde Street Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Fisherman’s Wharf

What?  I thought this whole post was about Fisherman’s Wharf?

Well, this whole post is about “Greater” Fisherman’s Wharf–San Francisco’s historic waterfront, really.  The real Fisherman’s Wharf is the area around Pier 45, between Hyde Street Pier and Pier 39.    Italian immigrant fishermen created the San Francisco fishing industry in the 19th century.  The Italians started opening Italian seafood restaurants on the waterfront to serve their daily catch.  A tourist attraction was born.

A colorful figure in front of one of the Italian seafood restaurants along the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, United States, North America.
A colorful figure in front of one of the Italian seafood restaurants along the waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Forget the tourist traps. This is the authentic Fisherman's Wharf. The colorful fishing boats with Italian names carry on the legacy of Italian immigrants' fishing boats that came before. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Forget the tourist traps. This is the authentic Fisherman’s Wharf. The colorful fishing boats with Italian names carry on the legacy of Italian immigrants’ fishing boats that came before.
A hidden gem on Fisherman's Wharf: Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel. The chapel is closed on Saturdays, but a woman doing work there happily let Francisco and me inside to take a look around. San Francisco, United States, North America.
A hidden gem on Fisherman’s Wharf: Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel. The chapel is closed on Saturdays, but a woman doing work there happily let Francisco and me inside to take a look around.
Francisco and I were lucky to be able to see the interior of the Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel on Fisherman's Wharf. The chapel was built in 1979 as a memorial to those lost at sea. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Francisco and I were lucky to be able to see the interior of the Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel on Fisherman’s Wharf. The chapel was built in 1979 as a memorial to those lost at sea.
Themed stained glass in the Fishermen's and Seamen's Memorial Chapel on Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Themed stained glass in the Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel on Fisherman’s Wharf.
This must be the place! San Francisco, United States, North America.
This must be the place!

Pier 39

Pier 39.  Come for the sea lions.  Then get the hell out of there.  Pier 39 is tourist hell, filled with chain restaurants and trinket shops.  Fortunately, you don’t have to pass through the main passageway of Pier 39 to enjoy the absolutely delightful sea lions of San Francisco.

The lazy sea lions of Pier 39, viewed from Pier 41. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The lazy sea lions of Pier 39, viewed from Pier 41.
The view from Pier 39. One of the sea lions seems to be rising to the occasion. The rest are happily dead to the world. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The view from Pier 39. One of the sea lions seems to be rising to the occasion. The rest are happily dead to the world.
What a life! San Francisco, United States, North America.
What a life!
Heading back towards Fisherman's Wharf, these tracks look like they head all the way to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien. But the pier actually ends right past that seaport structure. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Heading back towards Fisherman’s Wharf, these tracks look like they head all the way to the SS Jeremiah O’Brien. But the pier actually ends right past that seaport structure.

Back to Fisherman’s Wharf

I headed back to Fisherman’s Wharf to take a tour of the SS Pampanito, a World War II era submarine now permanently stationed at Pier 45.

The USS Pampanito saw a lot of action in the Pacific during World War II. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The USS Pampanito saw a lot of action in the Pacific during World War II.
I love the efficiency of submarines. Absolutely no space is wasted. Here's the very narrow galley kitchen. San Francisco, United States, North America.
I love the efficiency of submarines. Absolutely no space is wasted. Here’s the very narrow galley kitchen.
The yeoman's office. All of it. San Francisco, United States, North American.
The yeoman’s office. All of it.
The captain's not-so-luxurious stateroom. I had much more room in my statement on my ship in the navy. And I was nowhere near being the captain! San Francisco, United States, North America.
The captain’s not-so-luxurious stateroom. I had much more room in my statement on my ship in the navy. And I was nowhere near being the captain!
A big gun on the deck of the SS Pampanito. I imagine it must have been hard to fire while the sub was underwater. San Francisco, United States, North America.
A big gun on the deck of the SS Pampanito. I imagine it must have been hard to fire while the sub was underwater.
Another gun up on the superstructure. It seems sort of weird to think of sailors manning weapons on the deck of a submarine when subs are of course built for underwater warfare. United States, North America.
Another gun up on the superstructure. It seems sort of weird to think of sailors manning weapons on the deck of a submarine when subs are of course built for underwater warfare.
Seafood, what Fisherman's Wharf is really all about. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Seafood, what Fisherman’s Wharf is really all about.

Ghiradelli Square

I stopped by Ghiradelli Square on Day 1, and paid another visit on Day 6.  Ghiradelli is a little crazy and a very touristy.  Of course, you can get legendary San Francisco chocolate there.  Mmm, chocolate.  And they have pretty good ice cream there too.

The Big G. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The Big G.
As touristy as Ghiradelli Square is, there is some authentic history there. The famous chocolate factory was built on the site of a woolen mill. This brick mill building was built in 1864. Clothes for Union soldiers were made here during the Civil War. San Francisco, United States, North America.
As touristy as Ghiradelli Square is, there is some authentic history there. The famous chocolate factory was built on the site of a woolen mill. This brick mill building was built in 1864. Clothes for Union soldiers were made here during the Civil War.
The whimsical, yes let's call it whimsical, Andrea's Fountain in Ghiradelli Square. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The whimsical, yes let’s call it whimsical, Andrea’s Fountain in Ghiradelli Square.

The Good View

I didn’t spend a whole lot of time at Ghiradelli Square.  Besides, it was dinner time!  I dined at the bar at the Buena Vista, the establishment that famously first served Irish coffee in the US in 1952.

Lining up the Irish coffees at the Buena Vista. San Francisco, United States, North America.
Lining up the Irish coffees at the Buena Vista.
After dinner, I ascended Russian Hill, turned around, and took in the view encapsulating my day on San Francisco's historic waterfront. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
After dinner, I ascended Russian Hill, turned around, and took in the view encapsulating my day on San Francisco’s historic waterfront.

Fisherman’s Wharf–do it right, and you’ll love it!

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]

Related posts:

San Francisco 2016, Day 1, Part 1 San Francisco 2016, Day 5 The 2016 BSFBB Awards The 2016 BSFBB Awards (Part 2)

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