Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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of the par k is dev oted to a compact playgr ound that enter tains the local pr eschoolers.
Benches invite contemplation of the glorious F
inancial D istrict skyline featuring the
Transamerica Pyramid.
Kearny St., btw. Washington and Clay sts. No phone.
Tien Hou Temple
Ages 8 and up.
Members of this temple, one of the oldest Chinese
temples in the U.S., are used to elementary school students tiptoeing up the four narrow
flights of stairs for a look. The sanctuary ceiling is covered in red paper lanterns, and the
smell of incense is per vasive. Altars are covered with offerings, and one holds a statue of
Tien Hou, also kno wn as Tin How, the goddess of heav en and pr otector of fishermen.
Remind the kids that this is a place for meditation and pray er—you'll likely see people
doing just that—so they will need to keep the chatter do wn. Make a small donation or
purchase some incense before heading back downstairs.
125 Waverly Place (off Clay St. btw. Stockton St. and Grant Ave.). No phone. Free admission. Daily 10am-
5pm.
FISHERMAN'S WHARF
The days when fishing boats hauled their catches back to the piers along J efferson Street
ended for the most par t in the late 1960s. As war ehouses were retooled into shopping
centers and local waters became over-fished, tourism began to supplant maritime indus-
tries. Then PIER 39 opened in 1978, completing F isherman's Wharf's metamorphosis
into a major California tourist attraction, second only to D isneyland. Unless you get up
very early in the morning and seek out what 's left of the fishing fleet, y ou won't see any
picturesque scenes of flapping flounders or salty sailors. M ostly what y ou see at F isher-
man's Wharf are tourists gravely contemplating chocolate bars and sportswear. Of course,
there's more—some of it well worth your time, some not—so here's a rundown of what
you'll find along the Embarcadero, and Jefferson and Beach streets, from PIER 39 to the
Municipal Pier at the end of Van Ness Avenue. The Powell-Hyde cable car line will drop
you off at the west end of this stretch, near The Cannery and Aquatic Park.
Aquarium of the Bay
All ages.
Dedicated to the cr eatures that inhabit the S an
Francisco Bay ecosystem, this aquarium gives new meaning to the phrase “living life in a
fishbowl.” It's not entir ely clear who 's looking at whom in this attraction. After a brief
introduction to the under water world, facilitated by the Aquarium's loquacious band of
naturalists, visitors descend to a mo ving walkway that slo wly leads thr ough two clear
6
Tips
Disc ount Coupons
While many Fisherman's Wharf attractions are free or low-cost, others can dig
into your pocketbook. Don't head to the Wharf without first checking the web-
site at www.mapwest.com. Click the “Online Travel Coupons” link for $1 to $2 off
on attractions such as Aquarium of the Bay, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and the
Wax Museum. You may also get $3 off a Bay Cruise or $5 off a bike r ental. Your
hotel may help you print them out, or may even have some discount coupons
available to give you. Though note available at press times, the Fisherman's Wharf
Merchants Association plans to include coupons in its newly redesigned website
at www.fishermanswharf.org.
