How To Park Smart in Fisherman’s Wharf
If there’s one neighborhood that visitors — both first-timers and many-timers — associate with San Francisco, it’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a historic waterfront with multiple attractions unique to the city that offers some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the cityscape.
However, parking in the Wharf can be tricky, especially if you are not familiar with the area or the nuances of San Francisco street parking.
Here are some insider tips from locals who live here!
DO NOT PARK ON THE STREET. Car burglaries remain one of the most prolific crimes in San Francisco, especially in major tourist hubs like Fisherman’s Wharf. So, avoid the headache and do not park on the street. Smash and grabs are real and they happen in broad daylight in under 6 seconds!
DO NOT leave your valuables in the car! Cars parked in heavily visited areas are often targets for theft, as visitors continue to leave their luggage, cash, important paperwork, electronics, medication, and valuables. If you leave valuables in your car, your chances of having them stolen are HIGH!
DO NOT STORE belongings under your seat. Car burglars stake out vehicles first and if they see anything that piques their interest, your car will be a target.
DO NOT REMOVE belongings from your vehicle and place them in your trunk. It’s likely that you’re being watched.
DON’T OVERPAY. If you are paying more than $5 per hour at a parking meter, you’re better off parking in a garage or parking lot.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FUR BABIES. Sadly, in the course of a smash-and-grab car burglary, pets can become a casualty.
RESIDENTIAL RESTRICTIONS. A small portion of Fisherman’s Wharf is within Residential Parking Zone A, which means you can only park for two hours at a time unless you have a special permit. The signs are not prevalent, so look 100 feet in both directions for any parking signs and check the curb to see if there are any color curb markings. Always check for posted parking and street sweeping times to make sure you don’t accidentally park in a restricted zone.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: OFF-STREET PARKING IN FISHERMAN’S WHARF
Expiring meters and street parking time limits can be bothersome, especially when you’re out having fun with the family, but that's easily avoidable when you can find an affordable Fisherman's Wharf parking garage space or parking lot.
To accommodate the high demand for parking in Fisherman’s Wharf, there are eight parking garages and eight parking lots that offer both self-parking and valet parking services in the area.
There are several well-maintained Fisherman's Wharf parking lots and garages with all modern amenities like camera surveillance, round-the-clock security, etc. (see our top pick below)
GET VALIDATED. If you’re visiting a Fisherman’s Wharf merchant, ask if they validate for your garage. You can also get parking validation from many restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf and either park for free for the first couple of hours or get a discount at the designated parking lot.
DON’T GET SHUT OUT. Verify the operating hours of the garage. Some Fisherman’s Wharf garages close early.
RESERVE IN ADVANCE. Saturdays are especially busy, so it’s wise to pre-book a garage space in advance to guarantee the lowest rates. With more and more people adopting San Francisco parking apps and websites, most parking companies offer special rates and discounts on online reservations. On apps like Way.com, you’ll also get perks like flexible cancellation, additional discounts, and pre-paid parking passes to multiple garages.
