San Francisco's waterfront has been two decades in the making and it is still growing with big opportunities ahead. It is becoming more and more vibrant as new "destinations" are developed along the entire length, adding layers of unique activations. It is well on its way to becoming one of the top waterfronts in the world. Its success can be attributed to the piers that have emerged over time as a series of outdoor "rooms" composed of memorable attractions with enjoyable promenades that connect them.

The Waterfront Core - Fisherman's Wharf

Much of the attractions at the San Francisco waterfront happen in Fisherman's Wharf, at Pier 39 in particular. This area is alive with energy and foot traffic as people flock from all over the city to enjoy the numerous activities and amenities.

San Francisco has developed along a waterfront that is very deep, which allows for a great collection of activities to be set up by the water, stretching inland. This gives nearby neighborhoods opportunities to connect and build off of the historic waterfront, weaving it effectively into the urban fabric of the city.

Fisherman's Wharf & Piers 43-39

Google View of connections into downtown

Fisherman's Wharf's combination of history, culture, great eateries and entertainment options make it one of the city's biggest treasures and most popular destinations. The connections between its key areas are made of pleasant pedestrian walkways with great views of the water.

Along the water you find kiosks, shops, and small clusters of diverse activities, attracting people by offering a variety of options for things to see and do throughout the day.

San Francisco's waterfronts are a series of hubs where community activity flourishes

Pier 39

Pier 39 is the standout destination on the waterfront. It has a great layering of amenities, shops, entertainment options, and eateries. At every step, your senses are engaged with the smells of clam chowder and the ocean, sounds of children laughing on the carousel, music from the shops, chatter from the crowds, and the sight of countless charming shops to explore. The fact that it is on two floors connected by stairways and bridges gives it double the density of things to experience.

Promenade

A wide promenade punctuated with kiosks, trees, and sculptures along its length leads visitors to the destinations at the piers in a relaxing and enjoyable way. Impressive ships and boats capture attention from various vantage points. Wide sidewalks create a relaxed walking experience where pedestrians don't feel like they're right up against traffic.

Water-based activities

As any good waterfront should, San Francisco's offers a variety of water-based activities such as boat tours and cruises. The beautiful views over the water with the rolling house-speckled hills in the distance make activities on the water even more attractive.

Big assets

A mix of big and small assets is a great way to keep people coming back to a place, and one of the San Francisco waterfront's bigger assets is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike – the aquarium. Other big assets include the Ferry Terminal and Market Street Plaza.

Aquarium of the Bay

Ferry Terminal - End of Market Street

Market Street Plaza

Access - Street Cars

Accessibility is essential for great public places. People can't enjoy a place if they can't reach it. In San Francisco, accessibility is an attraction in itself as historic streetcars transport people to and fro. Traditional buses are also an option.

San Francisco's waterfront is one of the best in North America. It is enjoyable, exciting, and unique and it highlights the city's natural treasures, culture, and history. It's no wonder that the waterfront is one of the most characteristic parts of the city and its main tourist draw. Other cities by the water can find inspiration in what San Francisco has been doing to enhance this great asset.

View west toward Golden Gate Bridgeiew over

Further Reading on Waterfronts

Capitalizing on the Appeal of Waterfronts: 11 of the Best
Of all the types of public spaces that exist, waterfronts are among the most strongly linked to the identity and history of a city. There could be no Stockholm without the harbor; no San Francisco away from the Bay; no Rio without its beaches.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Paris - Bassin de la Villette: The Best Waterfront Yet?
Bassin de la Villette has become the best, most valuable part of the Paris Plage, connecting very different neighborhoods in Northeast Paris.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Creating the Waterfront San Diego Needs
San Diego’s central waterfront could be one of the best waterfronts in the world. But it will take some work. The good news is that its transformation can start immediately
Social Life ProjectKathy Madden
Pop-up Restaurants on the Waterfront: Six Cities that Do It Well
Eating along the water is almost universally appealing. We are drawn to great waterfronts that have it, like these 6 wonderful examples.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Five Iconic Waterfronts — Four of the World’s Best and One That Fails Miserably
What Brooklyn (and everywhere else) can learn from Paris and Porto, Portugal
Social Life ProjectFred Kent
Passeggiata: An Exuberant Italian Custom We Should All Adopt
A regular stroll through town is not just fun—it also boosts our sense of community
Social Life ProjectJay Walljasper

Who we are

Our Network at the Global Placemaking Summit in Mexico City 10/23

The Place Man: Watch the New Documentary on the Placemaking Movement
We have recently created a documentary, The Place Man, about our work in placemaking over the last 50 years, made by the wonderful Guillermo Bernal. It got us thinking about the state of the placemaking movement and what’s next.
Social Life ProjectFred Kent

SLP Founders and Article Authors Kathy and Fred, Flaneurs of Public Life.

The mission of theSocial Life Projectis to incite a renaissance of community connection in public spaces around the globe. Through our online publication, presentations, campaigns, and catalytic projects, we can create transformative impact on communities everywhere. Our work grows out of more than 50 years devoted to building the global placemaking movement. It is an initiative of thePlacemaking Fund, along withPlacemakingX — a global network of leaders who together accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities. We gladly acceptdonationsto advance our work.
Share this post