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Thanksgiving at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
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Fisherman's Wharf - the perfect place to spend Thanksgiving!
For something different this year consider spending Thanksgiving at Fisherman’s Wharf. The weather in San Francisco is typically sunny and mild on Thanksgiving, making this a great destination. A long-standing San Francisco tradition is to serve fresh Dungeness crab during the Thanksgiving holidays and what better place to indulge in crab then where it is caught? Most restaurants will be open for lunch on Thanksgiving and if you are a traditionalist, many are including a turkey menu.
In addition to being properly thankful and indulging in a good meal, there are lots of activities to take advantage of in Fisherman’s Wharf. One of the best deals imaginable is the Bay Tour which for $15 takes you to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz for an hour on a small boat. You can even bring your own alcoholic beverages on board. Catch the boat near Castagnola’s. There are bicycle rentals, wax museums and billiards. Pier 45 houses Musee Mechanique, with “Laffing Sal,” a museum of vintage coin-operated arcade games from the early 1900s and originally located at the Cliff House in Land’s End. Pier 39 offers a plethora of shopping, restaurants and entertainment activities.
San Francisco has a proud history of fishing. The boats berthed at the docks are the third generation of fishermen that have made their livelihoods from fishing in the San Francisco Bay. To commemorate those lost at sea, there is a Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel built in 1979 located on the docks behind Tarantino’s. The Chapel is rarely open but is an interesting sight. There are 200 plaques listing those who died in the line of fishing. There is a Port Walk with 27 markers placed along the water’s edge as a walking tour to provide an overview of the history of fishing.
Hyde Street Pier is a National Park and is a great place to stroll and read exhibits and information panels discussing historical accounts of San Francisco’s maritime past. There are tours of the floating historic ships. Additional historical sights include the Maritime Museum, located near Ghirardelli Square, which is currently closed for renovation and two historic private clubs: The South End Rowing Club and Dolphin Club located next door to each other, both possessing a colorful history. Dolphin Club members swim in the frigid bay waters and the Rowing Club members compete in a variety of regattas and races. Aquatic Park and the Pier are wonderful places to stroll and take in the beautiful views.
Restaurant choices abound. Try one of many family-owned restaurants specializing in seafood such as: Aliotos, Scoma’s, or Tarantino's. The Franciscan Restaurant and Boudin Bistro both have Thanksgiving Day meal specials. Boudin serves San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread, made fresh daily; take a bakery tour if you have the time. Jack’s Cannery Bar has a $15.00 turkey dinner but also offers 68 beers on tap and a selection of televisions to watch your football team. Pompei’s Grotto is also a great place for seafood and they have added outdoor seating. If you want to celebrate casually try a crab sandwich from one of the many side-walk crab stands.
Should you decide to spend more time at Fisherman’s Wharf, there are accommodations at all price ranges. The Argonaut, features a nautical theme and is conveniently located between Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. The Sheraton, has been newly remodeled and the Best Western Tuscan Inn couldn’t be more convenient.
A Thanksgiving spent at Fisherman’s Wharf will long be remembered and may begin a new tradition.
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