Embarcadero Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Embarcadero showing central business district and a city
Embarcadero
Embarcadero
Embarcadero which includes outdoor art, a city and skyline
Embarcadero featuring a garden, street scenes and cbd

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

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$283 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$283
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,721 reviews)
"Parking was expensive and limited."

Reviewed on 26 Aug. 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$378 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$378
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
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$214 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$214
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,446 reviews)
"Cl"

Reviewed on 27 Aug. 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is AU$176 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$176
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$246 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$246
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,658 reviews)
"The location is absolutely unbeatable – you're literally steps away from Union Square's shopping, theaters, and cable cars and you can walk nearly every must to see places at most 30-40 minutes. The room was clean, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet for being in the heart of the city. The staff ..."

Reviewed on 27 Aug. 2025

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$197 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$197
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
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.

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 TransAmerica Pyramid – 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. Dragon's Gate 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 San Francisco Bay.

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
Default Image

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 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.

Downtown San Francisco
Nob Hill which includes a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

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

Nob Hill


Embarcadero Travel Guide

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