On any sunny day, scores of walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and skateboarders are likely to be streaming along Herb Caen Way, the wide bayside promenade that runs for three miles along San Francisco's Embarcadero from South Beach Harbor to Fisherman's Wharf. The northern portion of the promenade described here (see Embarcadero South for the southern stretch) runs from the...
On any sunny day, scores of walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and skateboarders are likely to be streaming along Herb Caen Way, the wide bayside promenade that runs for three miles along San Francisco's Embarcadero from South Beach Harbor to Fisherman's Wharf. The northern portion of the promenade described here (see
Embarcadero South for the southern stretch) runs from the Ferry Building, the city's historic water transport hub and now a mecca for fresh, organic local foods, to Fisherman's Wharf; we have extended the tour to include nearby Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square.
Visitor center: The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park visitor center, tucked away inside the Argonaut Hotel at Jefferson and Hyde streets, is a treasure trove for anyone interested in San Francisco's maritime history. Among the displays are a tule reed canoe similar to those used by the native Yelamu people and a Fresnel lens once used at the lighthouse on one of the Farallon Islands, 30 miles outside the Golden Gate. You can take a simulated walk along the waterfront through the ages, and a computer kiosk provides a virtual tour of the inaccessible places in the park, including inside the antique boats moored at the Hyde Street Pier across the street.
Parking in downtown San Francisco can be expensive and difficult to find; the Ferry Building is well served by public transportation, including Muni, BART, and several ferry lines. Metered street parking is available along the Embarcadero and there are numerous fee lots near Fisherman's Wharf, all of which have accessible spaces.Unknown column 'status' in 'where clause'