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

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$250 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$250
19 Oct - 20 Oct
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! (4,584 reviews)
"Everything was fine but not OUTSTANDING. Would recommend!"

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$407 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$407
28 Sept - 29 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,883 reviews)
"Great location, good staff, impressive building architecture. However, I have two small complains: my minibar was empty and the girl at the market wasn´t nice when I went to buy a sandwich."

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
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$315 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$315
21 Oct - 22 Oct
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! (6,845 reviews)
"Great location. Walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf."

Reviewed on 19 Sept 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
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$167 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$167
28 Sept - 29 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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,192 reviews)
"Front desk staff not very friendly."

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco

4 out of 5
424 Clay St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$214 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
AU$214
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,599 reviews)
"A block or two away from the Transamerica building. Walkable distance to Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Ferry Terminal. They do not validate parking at 1 Embarcadero like their messaging system says. Rooms are kind of small, but not too terrible. Beds are super comfortable. Staff is amazing and ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
Best Western Plus Grosvenor Airport Hotel

Best Western Plus Grosvenor Airport Hotel

3 out of 5
380 S Airport Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$186 per night from 11 Oct to 12 Oct
AU$186
11 Oct - 12 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in South San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, a free airport shuttle, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,607 reviews)
"Although the hotel looks old , it was clean and the basic necessities are available ! The staff are very accommodating and the breakfast selection is very satisfying!"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Best Western Plus Grosvenor Airport Hotel
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 SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill


Embarcadero Travel Guide

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