
Visiting San Francisco for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of a single day in San Francisco.
Situated next to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, The Cannery was built on the waterfront after the 1906 earthquake, providing easy access for ships and trains to transport goods to and from the plant.
While it may not be shipping canned peaches off to the rest of the country anymore, the historic red-brick building, as well as the century-old olive trees in the courtyard’s center, remains. Now a shopping destination for locals and tourists alike, The Cannery offers visitors the opportunity to buy a souvenir from a shop, a bite to eat, or simply a view of the San Francisco Bay.
The 30-Stockton, 19-Polk, E-Embarcadero, and F-Market & Wharves streetcars, plus the Hyde Street cable car all stop within a few blocks of The Cannery. If you are driving, parking can be found at Ghirardelli Square, Hyde Beach Garage, or Anchorage Square shopping center.
Roughly three blocks east of The Cannery is Pier 39. A classic San Francisco destination, Pier 39 is a remodeled fishing pier full of shops, restaurants, and activities including a carousel and Aquarium of the Bay.