Fisherman’s Wharf is Getting a $10 Million Makeover
Imagine a bright, open waterfront space at the heart of San Francisco’s most visited neighborhood. The new 5,000-square-foot plaza at Fisherman’s Wharf will feature sweeping, wave-shaped seating, picnic tables, and benches that look out over the colorful fleet of Monterey fishing boats in the inner lagoon. String lights will hang overhead, and new signage will celebrate the Wharf’s rich history and the city’s fishing heritage, creating a spot that is as vibrant as it is welcoming.
The project, part of a $10 million initiative called Fisherman’s Wharf Forward, aims to revitalize Taylor Street, Jefferson Street, and the inner lagoon, reconnect visitors to the working fishing waterfront, and give locals and tourists a fresh reason to enjoy the area. The upgrades also come as the city prepares to host World Cup games in the summer of 2026, giving visitors an even bigger reason to explore the Wharf.
The new plaza and nearby improvements will include:
- Picnic tables, bay-facing seating, and wave-like sculptures
- Pop-up space for food, drinks, or retail
- String lights, landscaping, and wind screens
- Signage highlighting the Wharf’s fishing history
- A new inner lagoon overlook along Al Scoma Way with lighting to showcase the historic Monterey fishing fleet
- Ice machines and harbor upgrades for local fishers
- New entertainment zones nearby, including one at Pier 39
- Long-term resilience projects including seawall strengthening, flood-proofing, and sea level rise protections
- Reactivation of nearby shuttered restaurants including Fisherman’s Grotto #9, Everett & Jones BBQ, Chasca Rio, and Castagnola’s
Alioto’s Restaurant is slated to be demolished in late 2025, with construction on the plaza scheduled to begin in early 2026. The Port hopes to have the space open and welcoming to the public by summer 2026.
City leaders say the upgrades will not only boost tourism but also bring life back to one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods. For local fishermen and businesses, it is about reconnecting visitors to the working waterfront, a place where you can see the boats, meet the fleet, and enjoy fresh seafood right at the source.
By summer 2026, Fisherman’s Wharf will hopefully look brighter, more welcoming, and better connected to its roots as the heart of San Francisco’s waterfront just in time for the World Cup.
Read more at Office of the Mayor and SF Chronicle
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