Are you and your better half looking for the best spots in San Francisco to celebrate your love this February? Or maybe you have a new flame and want to impress them with a date idea more unique than the boring old after work drink or dinner and a movie. Pick and choose a few date spots along this romantic route throughout the City’s two most iconic neighborhoods, Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. From classic Bay-view restaurants to a ride on the cable car, love is in the air this February in San Francisco!

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

1. Aquarium of the Bay
Address: PIER 39
Attraction Type: Attraction
Cost: $40 (admission for two)
The Aquarium of the Bay is the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon or even an early weekday evening after work. It is a small attraction and only takes about an hour to walk through, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy dinner or grab a drink afterwards. Don’t forget to stop “Under the Bay” and steal a smooch from your sweetie as you stroll through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels surrounded by sharks and other native marine species.

Couples Selfie Photo Opp: Smooching next to the sharks in the crystal tubes.

2. Club Tattoo
Address: PIER 39
Attraction Type:
Cost: Varied
Not for the faint of heart, take your main squeeze to Club Tattoo to get their name tattooed onto your body part of choice. Getting “Mom” tattoos is so yesterday! Whether you are long-time partners or first-time Tinder date, nothing says “I love you” like some sweet ink dedicated to your sweetie.

3. Pier 43 Promenade
Address: Pier 43
Attraction Type: Outdoor
Cost: Free
Your date won’t be able to help but feel the love while taking a stroll down the Pier 43 promenade and admiring the stunning views of the Bay, the historic Pier 43 Arch, and Alcatraz. Still relatively new, the Pier 43 Promenade underwent a $10 million renovation in 2012.

Couples Photo Opp: Ask a passerby to snap a shot of you two while you strike a pose under the romantic Pier 43 Arch

4. Forbes Island
Address: Between PIER 39 & 41
Attraction Type: Restaurant & Bar
Cost: $20 (for two drinks)
Want to really impress your #1 flame? Stroll just past PIER 39 and make a mysterious call from the dock. Soon you and your date’s personal boat/chariot will arrive and whisk you over to the fantastical floating restaurant and bar known as Forbes Island. Enjoy this bucket-list worthy nautical date with waterside cocktails or in the underwater dining room.

5. Seafood & Chowder Stands at the Crab Wheel Sign
Address: Jefferson & Taylor Streets
Attraction Type: Food
Cost: Approx. $20
It doesn’t get much touristier than this, but there is good reason that this intersection is the main hub for San Francisco visitors. This spot rivals with the Golden Gate Bridge and the painted ladies as the ultimate spot on any SF itinerary. And who said dates need to drain your wallet? What better way to spend a nice day than sampling the fresh and affordable seafood while sitting near the iconic crab wheel sign?

Couples Selfie Photo Opp: Maybe the most popular selfie spot in all of SF… in front of the famous crab wheel sign. A classic selfie indeed!

6. Red & White Fleet
Address: Pier 43 ½ The Embarcadero
Attraction Type: Boat
Cost: $116 (for two adults)
Take your next romantic excursion off solid ground and onto the sea! Cruise past the iconic sites of the Bay such as Alcatraz, Angel Island National Park, under the Golden Gate Bridge and along the shorelines of Tiburon and Sausalito on the relaxed 2-hour sunset cruise. Enjoy spectacular sunset views, live guitar music, and a variety of appetizers from the cruise buffet.

7. Scoma’s Restaurant
Address: Pier 47 of Al Scoma Way
Attraction Type: Restaurant
Cost: $60-$120 (dinner for two)
One of San Francisco’s most classic date spots, Scoma’s Restaurant, boasts the freshest seafood in San Francisco. The restaurant pulls that day’s catch from a boat that docks on the same pier that the restaurant sits on and brings it straight to your plate. Talk about sustainable! Your date will be impressed by this thoughtful choice. Snuggle up next to your beloved in a Bay-view booth while you enjoy Dungeness crab, cioppino, and classic cocktails.

8. Fishermen’s & Seamen’s Memorial Chapel
Address: Pier 45-B
Attraction Type: Memorial
Cost: Free
Considering popping the question? Take your loved one to this romantic and historic spot on the old Fisherman’s Wharf wooden pier. Sitting above the bay next to the romantic chapel surrounded by gorgeous Bay views is sure to inspire a resounding “YES!” Or, if you are a step ahead of the game, the chapel also hosts small intimate weddings.

9. Hyde Street Pier Historic Ships
Address: Pier Hyde and Jefferson Streets
Attraction Type: Museum
Cost: $10 (for two adults)
Located at the west end of Fisherman's Wharf, Hyde Street Pier is home to a fleet of historic landmark vessels. For a modest admission fee, visitors can board this fleet of turn-of-century historic ships.

Couples Photo Opp: Ask a park ranger to get a shot of you and your partner in a Titanic-esque Kate and Leo pose on the front of the Balclutha

10. Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
Address: 900 North Point Street
Attraction Type: Restaurant
Cost: $9.95 (one sundae)
What is sweeter than sharing a world-famous Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae with your sweetheart? That’s right, nothing! Not to mention the whipped cream, chopped almonds, and cherry-on-top. Take in the tasty delight in Ghirardelli Square sitting next to the fountain or stroll down to Aquatic Park and enjoy it while sitting in the grass and admiring the amazing view of the San Francisco Bay. You can plan ahead and bring your own picnic to enjoy in the park on a sunny San Francisco day.

11. Ride the Ducks
Address: 2770 Taylor Street
Attraction Type: Bus/Boat
Cost: $70 (two adults)
For fun couples with a sense of adventure step aboard San Francisco’s only combined land and sea tour. This hour and a half tour takes you through the iconic neighborhoods of San Francisco and motors through the Bay along the Embarcadero waterfront. With a spirited but educational guide and funky soundtrack this unique tour will bring out your inner kid and make you two feel puppy love all over again.

GETTING IN BETWEEN

The “Love Line,” a.k.a. the Cable Car
Address: Hyde & Beach Street or Taylor & Bay Street (Fisherman’s Wharf) and Powell & Market Street (Union Square)
Attraction Type: Public Transportation/Historic Monument
Cost: $12 (two adults)
The world loves San Francisco for its many icons, especially the historic cable cars. Feel the love with your loved one aboard the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason line which go to and from Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. Hold on to the safety rail and swing through the streets while you ride the cable car in San Francisco’s hilly and historic neighborhoods.

Couples Selfie Photo Opp: Hang out, literally, and snap a shot of you two on the Cable Car!

Parkwide Bicycle Rentals
Address: Union Square Park
Attraction Type: Attraction
Cost: $31-41 pp for 24 hr rental ($5 discount pp)
Looking for something a bit more active to do with your main squeeze this February? Rent a bicycle from Parkwide Bicycle Rentals right in Union Square Park. From here, you can explore the neighborhood, ride down Market St. to the Embarcadero and loop back up to Fisherman’s Wharf!

UNION SQUARE

1. Union Square Park & Bancarella
Address: 333 Post St.
Attraction Type: Park & Café
Cost: Varies
Start at the center of it all in Union Square Park. Sip espresso at Bancarella as you prep for an amazing day in SF!

Couples Selfie Photo Opp: Be sure to visit the red heart at the North West corner of the park for that classic couple selfie

2. San Francisco Art Exchange
Address: 458 Geary St.
Attraction Type: Art Gallery
Cost: Free
Peruse some appropriately-themed art with your sweetheart in a special exhibit at the San Francisco Art Exchange. Debuting on Valentine’s Day, Like a Rainbow, Love and Inspiration will feature the photographs by Pattie Boyd, including photos of her famous musician friends and images of her two husbands, both of whom wrote several love songs about her: George Harrison (Something, I Need You) and Eric Clapton (Layla, Wonderful Tonight). It’s sure to spark some romantic inspiration.

3. Burritt Room + Tavern
Address: 417 Stockton St.
Attraction Type: Restaurant
Cost: $85 pp
Snuggle up in a private booth at the sleek Burritt Room restaurant. Enjoy seasonal California cuisine and a special 4-course tasting menu on Valentine’s Day. Dishes include Parsnip Pierogis with melted leeks and Filet Oscar with Bay Scallops and blood orange hollandaise. The coup de gras is a dessert of chocolate hazelnut torte with strawberries and berry gelée. Your Valentine will thank you!

4. 398 Restaurant & Bar
Address: 398 Geary St.
Attraction Type: Restaurant
Cost: Varies
Take your date to one of the newest and hottest restaurants in Union Square – 398 Restaurant. Housed in a gorgeous historic building, the grand dining room is sure to impress. Get intimate with their special shared dishes just for Valentine’s Day like oysters, rack of lamb and berries and cream, or enjoy their selection of seasonal Euro-American dishes.

5. Maiden Lane Shops & More

Address: Maiden Ln. between Stockton and Kearny St.
Attraction Type: Shopping & Restaurants & Bars
Cost: Varies
Stroll down the charming pedestrian alleyway Maiden Lane. With a colorful history (once home to several of the Barbary Coast’s infamous brothels) and a wide variety of luxurious retailers, as well as the lovely Mocca Café where you can enjoy a cappuccino or a sandwich al fresco with your love, this is the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon. Top off your evening with a drink in the wacky and fun, yet laid back Romper Room cocktail bar.

6. Lang Antiques
Address: 309 Sutter St.
Attraction Type: Shopping
Cost: Varies
If your Valentine is old-fashioned at heart, then his or her eyes will sparkle at the sight of the antique jewels and baubles at Lang Antiques. Plus, they’re offering a bottle of bubbly and Teuscher chocolates (from just down the street) with any purchase Feb 7 – 14 to make for the perfect Valentine’s gift.

7. Farallon Restaurant
Address: 450 Post St.
Attraction Type: Restaurants
Cost: Varies
If you enjoy high-end seafood, then you must stop by Farallon either to enjoy a little bubbly and oysters at their Jelly Bar or indulge in a decadent Valentine’s meal during Valentine’s Day weekend. Their special Valentine’s menu includes Hawaiian Ahi Tuna and New Zealand Tai Snapper amongst other delights.

8. The European
Address: 490 Geary St.
Attraction Type: Restaurants & Bars
Cost: Varies
Find a cozy corner of this trendsetting bar and sip on one of their brand new seasonal cocktails by Bar Manager Shirley Brooks (formerly from the Battery), such as the Love Letter with vodka, lemon, house-made hibiscus syrup and ginger. If you’re more into bubbles, stop by for their new all-bubble happy hour at only $5 a glass, Monday – Friday 5-7 pm.

9. Tiffany & Co.

Address: 350 Post St.
Attraction Type: Shopping
Cost: Varies
It’s a classic. No guy or gal wouldn’t be wowed by a spontaneous trip to Tiffany’s and a chance to pick out their own sparkling Valentine’s Gift. Sometimes simple is best.

10. Chocolatier Blue
Address: 763 Market St
Attraction Type: Sweets
Cost: Varies
Stop in this pint-sized shop to sample some of their uniquely delicious chocolate treats. Truffles come in unusual flavors like mulled wine, grapefruit & rosemary and sage honey and are made with the highest quality ingredients. They even look beautiful and artistic!

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT
Whether you’re visiting from near or far, a luxurious hotel room is a great way to end the night in Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf SF! Select hotels have pulled out all the stops to create packages for a night to remember!

1. Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf
Book Now
The Post-Valentine’s Day “Surprise!” Getaway Special
25% Discount Off Best Flexible Rate for Stays from February 15th to 28th at Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf. Select "Good Neighbor" under "Rate" for discount.

2. Warwick Hotel
Book Here
Timeless Love Affair Package
Treat your sweetheart to a night in the elegantly historic Warwick Hotel. This special Valentine’s package includes a one night stay in a Deluxe room, a sweet treat, two complimentary Love Letter cocktails at The European, a romantic 3-course dinner for two at Aveline, as well as breakfast for two and late checkout. Guests will also get a chance to enter a Facebook contest for a free future stay by posting their sweetest couple selfie!

3. Mystic Hotel
Book Here
A Valentine’s Escape
The Mystic Hotel is a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Union Square. This package includes two plush white robes, a bottle of bubbly, a 15% discount on salon and spa services and a continental breakfast by the Burritt Tavern.

4. Personality Hotels
Kensington Park Hotel, Hotel Diva & Hotel Union Square
Book Here
Will You be My… Cheap Date?
Personality Hotels has three unique hotel properties in Union Square: The Hotel Diva, The Kensington Park Hotel and the Hotel Union Square. All provide a lovely urban experience in a beautifully designed space. The Personality Hotels like to do things their own way, so this unusual package includes a bottle of Andre sparkling wine, Jack-in-the-Box coupons, vanilla frosting, a bear-shaped bottle of honey and Valentine’s Day cards.

5. The Inn at Union Square
Book: Call 415-397-3510
Valentine’s Weekend Package
The Inn at Union Square is a stylish boutique hotel at the center of it all. This package includes everything you need for a classic San Francisco weekend from a box of Tcho chocolates to a bottle of Nottingham Cellars wine, fresh flowers and a CD of Tony Bennett’s romantic music! Grab breakfast and tickets to the Exploratorium, the Academy of Sciences or a sight-seeing adventure, and you’re sure to impress your Valentine!

Would you like to get more awareness for your company and associate with a globally recognized and beloved brand?  Fisherman's Wharf has several sponsorship opportunities to do just that.  The FWCBD, a 501c3 non-profit,  has two sponsorship programs, one for our Annual Wharf Fest event in October and the other for Annual District Sponsorship. 

Exposure is key and Fisherman's Wharf can definitely provide that!  The historic district is the number one destination for visitors to San Francisco and the #6 top attraction in the United States based on visitation (*Source: Forbes.com).  With daily visitation reaching over 100,000 people and annual visitation of over 10 million, Jefferson Street, the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood, receives pedestrian traffic that rivals Times Square in New York City. The intersection of Jefferson & Taylor Streets is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the country and can swell to approximately 90,000 people per day in the summer months. 

The website VisitFishermansWharf.com receives an average of 32,000 unique visitors per month. The Fisherman’s Wharf Facebook page (Facebook.com/VisitFishermansWharf) has over 30,000 likes, with a daily reach of approximately 3,000.

Fisherman’s Wharf is beloved by travelers from around the world. For international visitors to San Francisco, it is the #1 most visited neighborhood (*Source: San Francisco Travel Association research study conducted by Destination Analysts). In intercept surveys conducted in 2014, when asked what a person would change about the Wharf, 26% said that there was nothing that they would change.  In addition, the Wharf’s Facebook rating is 4.5/5 stars, and on trip advisor out of 2,246 reviews, Fisherman’s Wharf is ranked 4/5 stars and received a Certificate of Excellence in 2014 & 2015.

If you are interested in being a vendor at Wharf Fest please fill out this application. 
If you are interested in being a sponsor of the 2015 Wharf Fest please review our sponsorship package. Contact the CBD for sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about how you can get involved. 

Sponsorship Contacts

Rachel Brown | Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: rachel@visitfishermanswharf.com
Phone: 415-673-3530

Troy Campbell | Executive Director
Email: troy@visitfishermanswharf.com
Phone: 415-673-3530

Everyone knows that Fisherman’s Wharf has something for everyone including those Nautical Nuts who just can’t get enough of boats and our sea-faring history. So come and take a walk or a ride back in time and uncover the rich nautical heritage of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Time Needed: Approximately 6 Hours
Cost: $20-$245+

1. Visit a Fleet of Historic Vessels
Address: 2905 Hyde Street
Attraction Type: Museum
Cost: $5
On the Hyde Street Pier, located in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, you can travel back in time to the 19th century by climbing aboard several historic ships: The 1886 square-rigger Balclutha, the 1890 steam ferryboat Eureka or set sail on the 1891 scow schooner Alma. For the World War two history buffs, just a few blocks down from the Hyde Street Pier is Pier 45 where you can explore the Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien (One of only two surviving liberty ships of 2,751 built in WW II and the only liberty ship to attend the 50th anniversary of D-Day at Normandy, France in 1994) or go below the surface and check out the submarine museum and memorial on the USS Pampanito.

2. Maritime National Historic Visitor’s Center 
Jefferson Street between Hyde and Leavenworth
Attraction Type: Museum
Cost: Free
Nautical enthusiasts will enjoy the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park's Visitors Center, housed in its 1908 historic brick cannery warehouse at the corner of Jefferson and Hyde Streets. The Center is filled with interesting maritime interpretative material and unusual maritime artifacts. It includes "A Walk Along the Waterfront," a museum-quality walk-through exhibit that takes you on a stroll through San Francisco's historic waterfront, from the days of the original native tribes to the early 20th century period of industrialization.

Photo credit: NPS

3. Boat Night at the Dolphin Club
Address: 502 Jefferson Street
Attraction Type: Event
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm, volunteers gather in the Dolphin Club boathouse to restore Whitehall rowboats under the guidance of boatbuilder Jon Bielinski. There’s a job for everyone from the novice to the expert, but volunteers will typically be found sanding, scraping, and re-varnishing. There’s even a gourmet dinner provided for all your hard work! Learn more about the Dolphin Club (built in 1877) and how you can get involved here.

4. I’m on a Boat!

1. San Francisco Whale Tours
   Address: PIER 39
   Cost: $39-$99
   Hop aboard the 65-foot eco-friendly catamaran and explore the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary in search of the largest marine species on Earth. Their expert naturalists will teach you all you need to know about marine life as you scan the horizon for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other marine species. www.sanfranciscowhaletours.com
   
   
   
2. Adventure Cat – Sailing Charters
   Address: PIER 39
   Cost: $40
   Set sail on the San Francisco Bay on the Adventure Cat and you’ll experience the breathtaking San Francisco Skyline, Alcatraz island and the Golden Gate bridge. Enjoy sunset sails or afternoon cruises from March 1st through the end of November. 415.777.1630 www.adventurecat.com
   
   
   
   
3. ACsailingSF
   Address: PIER 39
   Cost: $140-$240
   Are you a racing junkie? Do you crave speed and adrenaline infused activities? Then this boat is for you! This 85-foot, 20 passenger USA 76 Challenger from the 2003 America’s Cup will give you a chance to experience what sailboat racing is all about. Public sailing on the San Francisco Bay and charters for corporate events are also available. 415.990.999 www.acsailingsf.com
   
   
   
   
4. Sport Fishing Boats
   Address: PIER 39
   Cost: $15-$110
   A visit to the historic lagoon is not complete without a trip on one of the many sport fishing boats that have been carrying fishermen for generations. Charters are available year-round or you can head out on one of their many tours of the bay. While at the lagoon, be sure to check out the historic wooden Monterey Clippers which were San Francisco’s traditional fishing vessels. In the 1920s there were more than 500 working Monterey Clippers, now there are about 25 historic boats. Their colorful hulls make for a picturesque scene from many of the Wharf’s waterfront restaurants.
   
   

5. Frank’s Fisherman
Address: 502 Jefferson Street
Attraction Type: Retail Store
Cost: Varied
Looking for authentic nautical items, quality clothing and maritime antiques? Look no further than Frank’s Fisherman – California’s Largest Nautical Antique Store. Located at 366 Jefferson Street, this retail establishment carries an unusual mix of products that “make it a destination spot and oasis on Fisherman's Wharf that draws collectors and travelers from around the world.” 415.775.1165, www.franksfisherman.com