Things to Do in Fisherman's Wharf | Hotel Manager's Picks

One of the busiest and well known attractions in North America, Fisherman's Wharf is best known for being the location of Pier 39, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, the Musée Mécanique, the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf, Forbes Island and restaurants and stands that serve fresh seafood, most notably Dungeness crab and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.

A trip to our famous city this May will allow visitors to enjoy the city's major attractions without dealing with the crowds that are common during the Summer. With other regions of the country experiencing a late start to Spring our weather recently has been unusually warm while Spring is in full bloom.

During May the DeYoung Museum is playing host to Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis. This is a unique offering for those who are fans of Vermeer’s enigmatic Girl with a Pearl Earring that has intrigued art lovers for centuries. Along with this masterpiece are 30 others represented by artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Visit deyoungmuseum.org.

While the weather is still mild you might want to venture for a day trip up to Saint Helena. Ehlers Estate in Napa just released a stunning white varietal that’s taking center stage this Spring. It is a full bodied Sauvignon Blanc with hints of pear, pink grapefruit, lemon and tangerine blossoms. The 43 acre estate was founded in 1886 and produces fewer than 8,000 cases of wine each year. All wines are organic. Visit ehlersestate.com.

To learn more about things to do in Fisherman's Wharf during your stay, visit our San Francisco Events page on our website for details of some of the more interesting events that are happening in San Francisco this month. Regardless of what you have planned, enjoy visiting our beautiful city.

What's your favorite spot in San Francisco? Let us know at sheratonsf@ihrco.com or Share on Facebook.

Happy Travels ... Craig Schwan, General Manager

Uncorked! Ghirardelli Square 2013
Food and wine lovers will gather at the historic Ghirardelli Square to enjoy wines from more than 50 top-tier wineries, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations by top San Francisco chefs, and wine education seminars. Uncorked! has once again partnered with local nonprofit organization, Save The Bay, and will donate a portion of proceeds raised from ticket sales to support the organization’s efforts to protect, restore, and celebrate the San Francisco Bay.

Saturday, May 18th
General Admission Wine Festival: 1:00pm - 6:00PM
**LAST POUR AT 5:30PM**
VIP Experience One: 12:30-3:00pm

VIP Experience Two: 3:00-6:30pm With the purchase of a VIP Experience ticket you will have full access to all the wine tasting on Beach Street & throughout the Square.

35th Annual Carnaval San Francisco 2013

Carnaval San Francisco will be celebrated in San Francisco’s Mission District over the Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26, 10am-6pm. This year’s theme is Carnaval Harlem Shake, showcasing the best Latin American and Caribbean cultural arts – 8 city blocks bursting with music, dance, and exotic food, with a Grand Parade of dazzling pageantry on Sunday, starting at 9:30am at the corner of 24th & Bryant Sts. This FREE 2-day festival is the largest multi-cultural celebration on the West Coast.

Saturday, May 25, 10am - 6pm

Quince at Jackson Square
Situated in San Francisco’s quaint Jackson Square Neighborhood, approximately a mile from the hotel, Quince is housed in an 1907 historically landmarked brick and timber building.

Quince features a daily changing Italian-inspired menu that celebrates the seasonal bounty of Northern California.

Chef Michael Tusk was recently recognized by the James Beard Foundation with the 2011 Beard award for "Best Chef – Pacific".

San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic, Michael Bauer recently re-reviewed the restaurant and and in the process, upgraded the Pacific Avenue restaurant to a perfect four stars. It's an experience you shouldn't miss when in town.

Located on Pacific Avenue. For reservations call: (415) 775-8500.

San Francisco Jazz Center Grand Opening
Full of shimmer and swing, San Francisco's sleek new jazz concert hall opened in January with an opening night gala emceed by Bill Cosby aimed at cementing respect for and expanding the reach of the jazz idiom on the West Coast.
 
Called SFJAZZ Center, the 700-seat specially designed and brightly lit concert hall is nestled in the heart of the city's arts district, the first concert hall of its type in the United States. With this spectacular new building, SFJAZZ will take its place alongside the Symphony, the opera and other major institutions, as a permanent home for jazz—America’s original, indigenous art form.

Enjoy great music at this new venue. For a comprehensive list of preformance and to order tickets only, visit www.sfjazz.org.

Japanese Tea Garden
San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden was originally developed for the 1894 World's Fair in San Francisco and through the years the Garden has grown into a landmark of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

The Japanese Tea Gardens were designed to have a very romanticized look of a traditional Japanese garden. As a result, entering the Garden is like stepping into the world that you see in Asian paintings; a world that exists both inside and outside the hustle and bustle of life.

It is a peaceful, complex place many paths, ponds and a teahouse that features native Japanese and Chinese plants. Also hidden throughout its five acres are sculptures and bridges. About the only sound you hear are cameras clicking. Not only do the gardens have beautiful plants, but they also house many interesting animals as well. Every pond you pass (and there are many), you will find teeming with koi fish, and there are also many exotic birds.

Abigail's Party
Momma told me not to come. This biting, hilarious, disco infused satire of British suburbia in the 70's is a party only Mike Leigh could conceive. Stolen straight from real life, these friends test the strength of the ties that bind.

By Mike Leigh
Directed by Amy Glazer

May 21st to July 6th Press Opening, 
May 25th Tues/Wed/Thurs at 7pm Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sat Mat at 3pm All previews at 8pm
Learn More>>

Walt Disney Family Museum
Celebrating their third anniversary, the Walt Disney Family Museum's three historic buildings within the nearby Presidio houses 10 galleries devoted to the inspiring story of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Disneyland and the global yet distinctly American company that bears his name.

Disney's story is impressively portrayed through drawings, storyboards, the narrow-gauge train built for Disneyland along with film clips, concept art, scripts, musical scores and cameras used by Disney and his staff.

Using a mix of historic materials and artifacts, Disney's achievements really comes to life through innovative displays that include listening stations, interactive media, and more than 200 video monitors. Much of the material is being generously lent by the Walt Disney Company and private collectors.

Located at the nearby Presidio. For information and tickets call (415) 345-6893.