Home » City Guide » ,

SF’s 150ft “SkyStar” Wheel Gets 18-Month Extension

The wheel moved to Fisherman’s Wharf in 2023 and will remain while the port reviews redevelopment plans.
By - posted 11/13/2025 No Comment

San Francisco’s 150-foot SkyStar wheel is sticking around a lot longer.

After drawing more than 600,000 riders since landing at Fisherman’s Wharf in late 2023, the Board of Supervisors has approved an 18-month extension of its lease at Seawall Lot 301. The wheel has become one of the Wharf’s biggest crowd-pleasers, pulling in twice as many visitors as it did in Golden Gate Park and generating about $10 million in sales.

The SkyStar offers a 12-minute spin in 36 gondolas, giving riders sweeping views of the waterfront, the Bay, and the city skyline. Tickets are $19 for adults and $13 for children. The wheel is located on the waterfront between Pier 39 and Boudin Bakery.

The port expects to collect roughly $2 million from the extended lease through a mix of monthly rent and percentage fees. The deal also gives the port the right to end the lease with 90 days’ notice if redevelopment plans move ahead. The wheel now sits at the center of a broader waterfront refresh that includes the demolition of Alioto’s, a $10 million redesign of the Wharf, an expanded entertainment zone at Pier 39, and several new restaurants on the way.

SkyStar’s operator says the wheel has become a bright spot for the city’s tourism scene while giving back to the community through 30,000 free rides for local groups. The attraction can also be lit for special events, from violet for the Golden State Valkyries’ first home basketball game to rainbow colors for Pride, and it will shine in 49ers colors if the team wins the Super Bowl at home this season.

h/t SF Chronicle

Related Stories