DESTINATIONS CO FISHERMAN’S WHARF
WHY GO? Seafood, street performers and spectacular bay views: for the classic San Francisco stay, it has to be Fisherman’s Wharf. Set along the city’s northern waterfront, this bright, buzzy neighbourhood is famous for its sunbathing sea lions, vintage wooden piers and pelican’s-eye views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Yes, it’s busy and somewhat touristy – and clients might not find many locals to chat with – but it’s also quintessential San Francisco and promises the best vistas in town.
WHAT TO DO? Easy mornings can be spent drinking coffee with noisy neighbours – the hundreds of sea lions basking in the sun on the docks. Potter around the shops on Pier 39, stopping for a lunch of clam chowder or cioppino, the rich fish stew that originated in San Francisco, at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant or the Crab House. In the afternoon, visit the Exploratorium, San Francisco's super hands-on science museum; Musée Mécanique, a treasure trove of vintage and modern arcade machines; or hop on a bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge or over to Alcatraz Island, the former prison that’s now a San Francisco stalwart. If clients are spending more than a couple
of days on the Wharf, suggest hiring a bike and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito for lunch. Visit nearby Ghirardelli Square, once the site of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, now host to chi-chi boutiques, wine-tasting rooms and The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop. As the sun sets, catch the ever-changing cabaret of street performers who perform outside Pier 39.
SAN FRANCISCO | THE US
UNION SQUARE
WHY GO? The Bay City’s most convenient location, Union Square is where you’ll find all the big-ticket shops, top-dollar restaurants and theatres. Agents can book the recently renovated Beacon Grand Hotel, which was San Francisco’s original grande dame when it opened in 1928. It’s also a hop and skip away from Chinatown, one of the oldest and largest in the US.
WHAT TO DO From Barney’s to Bloomingdales, Macy’s to Saks Fifth Avenue, Union Square is a shopper’s paradise. It’s also a popular foodie destination where you’ll find everything from fancy French dining at One65 to great steaks at the historic John’s Grill, one of the top-10 restaurants in the US, according to Esquire. After supper, suggest catching a show in the theatre district.
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travelweekly.co.uk 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 43
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Robert Harding Video; San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis Photography
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