Top 10 Things To Do Along The Embarcadero, San Francisco

Alexandra Brown

The Embarcadero is one of the liveliest and most scenic areas in San Francisco, and a great place for a weekend stroll along the waterfront looking out over the Bay. Here are the 10 best places to check out here, between the Ferry Building and Ghirardelli Square.

Ferry Building

The Ferry Building

The Ferry Building is one of San Francisco’s most iconic buildings, and the anchor of the Embarcadero. This architectural landmark is located at the center of a major transit hub where Bart, Muni, and the Ferry lines all come together. With nearly 50 shops inside, this market hall is a great place to wander, window shop, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and food stalls.
The Ferry Building, One Ferry Building, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 983 8030

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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The Waterfront Restaurant

The Waterfront Restaurant

Cafe, Restaurant

The Waterfront Restaurant

As a premier seafood restaurant in San Francisco, the Waterfront Restaurant offers a solid menu, elegant dining room, and fantastic views of the Bay. Located on Pier 7, the upper level of this restaurant boasts alternative views of the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge. Both indoor and outdoor patio seating is offered, making the Waterfront Restaurant an ideal destination when the weather’s nice.
Waterfront Restaurant, 7 Pier, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 391 2696

The Exploratorium | ©FabriceFlorin/WikicommonsThe Exploratorium | © FabriceFlorin/Wikicommons

The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a unique science museum that combines human perception with interactive exhibits. This museum wants viewers of all ages to have fun with the scientific learning process and moments of discovery. Having recently relocated to the Embarcadero in 2013, the Exploratorium building is brand new and in great shape.

The Exploratorium, Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 528 4444

Levi’s Plaza

The Levi’s Plaza

The Levi’s Plaza

The Levi Strauss & Co. is a beautiful, corporate campus with sprawling grounds that are open to the public. The landscape incorporates fountains, ponds with stepping-stones, and lush green lawns, making it a perfect spot to soak up some sunshine or have a picnic on an Embarcadero walk.
The Levi’s Plaza, 1270 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA, USA,+1 415 501 7208

Alcatraz Cruises | ©CameronClark/WikicommonsAlcatraz Cruises | © CameronClark/Wikicommons

Pier 33 Alcatraz Cruises

Pier 33 Alcatraz Cruises

Ferry cruises over to the world-famous island of Alcatraz are offered seven days a week at Pier 33 along the Embarcadero, and are a must-do. As one of the world’s most legendary prisons and one-time home of America’s most notorious criminals, the cruise tours are full of intriguing stories of escapes, scandals and chilling histories of what happened on this little island on the Bay.
Pier 33, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 981 7625

Aquarium of the Bay | ©BrokenSphere/WikicommonsAquarium of the Bay | © BrokenSphere/Wikicommons

The Aquarium of the Bay

The Aquarium of the Bay

The Aquarium of the Bay sits at the edge of Pier 39. The inhabitants of this aquarium are local animals from the San Francisco Bay. The aquarium is open seven days a week, with extended opening hours for the summer. The mission of this aquarium is to protect and restore the Bay, all while igniting a curiosity in those who visit these sea creatures.
The Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 623 5300

Fisherman’s Wharf | ©russavia/WikicommonsFisherman’s Wharf | © russavia/Wikicommons

Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf

Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf

Definitely one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco, Pier 39 is almost always crowded, but it is also a great way to get a taste of the waterfront culture and see views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges. This shopping area is packed with restaurants, food stands, street performers, and arcades.
Pier 39, Beach Street and The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA,+1 415 674 7503

SS Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45 | ©ChrisAllen/geography.org.ukSS Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45 | © ChrisAllen/Geographcommons

SS Jeremiah O’Brien Cruise (National Liberty Ship Memorial)

If you want to add a little history to your walk along the Embarcadero, then look no further than the SS Jeremiah O’Brien cruises at Pier 45. This Liberty ship is one of only two fully functional remaining ships out of the 2,710 that were built and used during World War II. It has been restored to be historically accurate, and is a living museum and National Historic Landmark.
National Liberty Ship Memorial, Pier 45, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 544 0100

In-N-Out SF

In-N-Out Burger

Restaurant

In-N-Out Burger

To finish an Embarcadero walk in a truly Californian way, stop by the In-N-Out Burger joint in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. Californians swear this fast food restaurant is the best there is, so stop by to see if it’s true.
In-N-Out Burger, 333 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA, USA,+1 800 786 1000

Ghirardelli Square | ©Infratec/WikicommonsGhirardelli Square | © Infratec/Wikicommons

Ghirardelli Square

At the end of the Embarcadero, Ghirardelli Square is an historic shopping center filled with boutiques and restaurants. This was once the site of the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory, but it has since become a dessert restaurant serving almost every kind of ice cream sundae imaginable.
Ghiradelli Square, 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 775 5500

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