Embarcadero Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A tall building with classical architecture and a palm tree in the foreground.
A waterfront promenade with a city skyline in the background.
A cityscape with modern buildings, a large red sculpture, and a bridge.
A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a large stone sculpture, and a flag-raising ceremony.
A city park with palm trees, a fountain, and tall buildings in the background.

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.


Stay near popular Embarcadero attractions

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$235 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$235
7 Sept - 8 Sept
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! (6,247 reviews)
"I loved that the location, in a nice part of town. The hotel was always clean, the staff friendly and helpful, and the room set up met our need as a family of 5. Many thanks,"

Reviewed on 31 Aug 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$314 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$314
1 Sept - 2 Sept
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 ...
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
333 O'Farrell St. San Francisco CA
The price is AU$287 per night from 19 Sept to 20 Sept
AU$287
19 Sept - 20 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,647 reviews)
"The person who helped us to check out (Abdullah) was very professional, great personality and charismatic."

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2026

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
The Pickwick Hotel

The Pickwick Hotel

3.5 out of 5
85 5th St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$162 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
AU$162
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,499 reviews)
"What I did like was the classic feel of the hotel, also the location (near the Moscone Center) was perfect. A few problems: the parking was hard to get to and getting to the hotel lobby was a little tricky (and cramped). You can hear the plumbing issues plus metal clanking all day and night. The ..."

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2026

The Pickwick Hotel
Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

4 out of 5
424 Clay St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$222 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$222
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$187 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$187
7 Sept - 8 Sept
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! (3,166 reviews)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2026

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Embarcadero

Find the best Embarcadero areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Embarcadero
Learn more about Embarcadero

Fisherman's Wharf

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

Union Square

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.

Downtown San Francisco

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 Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.



Embarcadero Travel Guide

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