Embarcadero Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Embarcadero showing central business district and a city
Embarcadero showing central business district and a city
Embarcadero Plaza featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek
San Francisco which includes outdoor art, a garden and a city
Embarcadero which includes outdoor art, a city and skyline

The Embarcadero Plaza has entertainment, fabulous food, a great atmosphere and adventure by the bucket-load.

This wonderful bustling waterfront is always a hit with visitors. The area stretches from AT & T Park, the home of baseball team the San Francisco Giants, to Pier 45, one of San Francisco’s many wonderful piers. There are things to do, see and taste, with restaurants, attractions and open spaces galore. The area also includes Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Wander along the bay and take it all in.

Food lovers will be in heaven with the numerous and diverse restaurants on offer and will love the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This market sells some of California’s highest quality organic produce. There are over one hundred stalls to browse, piled high with delicious fresh food, baked goods and pre-prepared meals. Pick up a few treats to take away and enjoy down by the waterfront.

The Ferry Building is well worth a visit. This huge structure is dominated by a 240-foot clock tower in 12th century Spanish style. Sit for a while and indulge in a spot of people watching or grab a bit to eat in one of the gourmet bistros located within the building. Behind the building, there are some stunning views to enjoy across the San Francisco Bay area, and the Bay Bridge to the south of the city

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The Embarcadero has bags of entertainment waiting for visitors to discover. Pier 33 in the Embarcadero Plaza area is over a kilometre north of the Ferry Building. This entertainment hub down by the water is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and to hop on a tour boat to popular destinations like Alcatraz Island.

The Embarcadero is a relatively flat area of the San Francisco, making it ideal for walking, but cable cars do run alongside it.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Embarcadero Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is AU$223 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$223
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,347 reviews)
This is our second time staying at this hotel, and we'll continue to stay here when we are back in SF. All of the staff we interacted with were extremely friendly. The hotel offers great city views, and the rooms are clean with modern amenities. The Hotel is in great locaton, with grocery stores, ...

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$292 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
AU$292
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,339 reviews)
Everyone was kind and very helpful. The room was spotless when we checked in. Only stayed 2 nights so we didn’t have our room cleaned.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$230 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$230
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,885 reviews)
The staff was excellent, no doubt about that. But the condition of the rooms was a different story… the first room we got had a sewage smell. Was transferred to a different room but there also was a musky/moldy smell it gave me bad allergies. The rooms/carpets are just really old. I dont think the ...

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

3 out of 5
701 3rd St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$279 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$279
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,017 reviews)
The fire pit in the patio was a very nice touch.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$230 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$230
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,449 reviews)
Everything is close from the hotel if you like to walk. And you can leave the car on the garage.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
YOTEL San Francisco

YOTEL San Francisco

3 out of 5
1095 Market St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$178 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$178
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
Clean rooms. Great atmosphere. Rooms were a tad small but overall very comfortable.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

YOTEL San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Other neighbourhoods around Embarcadero

Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4/5(16 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to Market Street Railway Museum – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
Chinatown which includes street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(20 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. St. Mary Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Chinatown
North Beach showing skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and Washington Square.

North Beach
Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(249 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
San Francisco skyline, Oracle Park, and a bustling marina at sunrise. Aerial view of the city's iconic landmarks. South Beach Harbor, San Francisco, California, USA

South Park

Oracle Park and Brannan Street Wharf are a few top attractions in South Park. Hop around the city on the metro at 2nd & King Station or Fourth-Brannan Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

South Park
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Warfield Theatre are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco


Embarcadero Travel Guide

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