A Walk from Fisherman’s Wharf to Fort Mason, San Francisco

Without doubt one of my favourite cities worldwide has to be San Francisco on the West Coast of the USA. It’s got loads of culture and a huge amount of parkland to go wandering about in. But then, one of my favourite walks that you can do to is from Fisherman’s Wharf to Fort Mason. Its only about 2 miles but you have to take your time to see everything.

Breakfast, Ships and Chocolate

A great start to your walk would be a leisurely breakfast in Boudin Bakery, where you must try their sourdough bread. Then stroll along the front until you get to Hyde Street Pier, where you can see some historic ships. Definitely visit the old car ferry that was vital Bay transport prior to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hyde Street Pier

You can then sit awhile on the steps leading down to the beach. Maybe visit the Maritime Museum (you can’t miss it, it’s built in the shape of a ship). Then, cross the road and green area, and visit Ghirardelli’s for coffee, chocolate and ice cream.

Ghirardelli Square

You must try the chocolate – it’s fabulous; play a game of quoits as you watch the world go by.

The amazing ice cream from Ghirardelli’s

Fort Mason and Art

From Ghirardelli Square, head back down to the seafront and follow the coastal path up towards Fort Mason Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Fort Mason National Recreation Area Entrance sign

On the way you will get some fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. On our walk, during February, we stopped mid-hill to watch an Anna’s Hummingbird hover between trees.

When you reach the top of the hill there is a very cool and relaxed park that you can spend some time in, especially in the lovely Summer weather.

Fort Mason Recreation Area

Fort Mason Recreation Area

Over the other side of the rise is Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, a huge ex-US Army distribution centre.

Fort Mason

It now plays host to some important art galleries, theatres, designers and also houses the Mexican museum and the museum of Italian Americans. There is also a huge and comprehensive art supplies shop as part of the SFMOMA gallery and the Embark gallery for up and coming artists to display their work.

Art Installation in a Fort Mason Gallery

Fort Mason and Eating

Fort Mason also has some fabulous restaurants like Greens, a vegetarian restaurant with long communal tables and a signature sunlit interior. Near to Greens, The Interval is a bar, a café, a museum and the home of The Long Now Foundation, whose mission is to foster long-term thinking and responsibility for the next 10,000 years. I am sure you can fit a coffee and cake in while you help them think long and hard. They have a very cool clock.

Evening

Fort Mason Park also plays host to an evening street food market every Friday from 5pm to 10pm. ‘Off the Grid’ at Fort Mason hosts 32 food vendors as well as serving local wines and Magnolia beers. The market also has DJs from 5pm to 7:30pm and live music from 8pm to 10pm. This is a brilliant event to meet SF residents and get advice on what to do during your stay.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning is also a great time to visit Fort Mason, as you can get a great breakfast and checkout the Farmers Market. The market provides a fantastic showcase for the North Bay and San Joaquin Valley’s organic farms. It is held every Sunday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and features more than 35 farmers and food providers. If you visit you can pick up some fresh fruit, a sandwich and a cup of locally roasted coffee for breakfast. Then grab a bench overlooking San Francisco Bay or the Great Meadow in Upper Fort Mason for a great view while you relax.

This really is a lovely walk in a beautiful city.