Afshin A.
Yelp
A Brief History of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf
I have lived in San Francisco near the border of North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf for almost 25 years. However, before I moved here, I visited the city and both of these neighborhoods as a teenager when I came for a visit in the mid-70s with my mom and dad. The city was very different back then, and the Wharf was not as pretty as it became during the following couple of decades. During that first visit, I never thought I would live here one day, but life has unpredictable twists, so here I am.
Over the years, I have read about the history of the city and the Wharf. I thought I would share a basic summary of it here and offer you some links that you may find fun to read.
Fisherman's Wharf is a well-known part of San Francisco, famous for its seafood restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions. However, it actually began as a simple fishing village.
Long ago, before San Francisco became a big city, it was a small town near the ocean. The people living there made their living by fishing. They caught fish and sold them to others in the town.
As more people moved to San Francisco, the fishing village expanded and eventually became known as Fisherman's Wharf. The fishermen would return their boats to the wharf to unload their catch.
In the 1800s, San Francisco experienced rapid growth, attracting many people searching for work. Some of these individuals started businesses near Fisherman's Wharf to cater to the needs of the fishermen and visitors.
By the early 1900s, Fisherman's Wharf had become a popular tourist destination. People came to see the boats, savor fresh seafood, and admire the beautiful views of the bay.
Today, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most renowned places in San Francisco. It offers opportunities to delve into the city's history and enjoy delicious food and entertainment.
For those of you visiting for the first time, please keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple lockdowns have significantly reduced visitor traffic to the city and the Wharf. As a result, many small and large businesses have closed their doors forever. However, the city and the Wharf still remain a beautiful and fun place to visit. The Wharf is slowly making a comeback, but visitors may notice many "Up for Lease" signs. Hopefully, this will change, and the city and the Wharf will rebound to something even better.
You may find these fun to read:
wharf history
https://www.fishermanswharf.org/plan-your-visit/wharf-history/
Tides of Change: Fisherman's Wharf (1870-1930)
https://maritime.org/tides-of-change/
And if you are a food lover:
Golden State Plate: The Fishy Origins of Cioppino
https://www.kqed.org/news/11695791/the-fishy-origins-of-cioppino