Fisherman’s Wharf RECOVERY

SITELAB worked with the Port of San Francisco to identify near- and long-term public realm actions to aid post-pandemic recovery for the Fisherman’s Wharf area.

Fisherman’s Wharf is one-of-a-kind in San Francisco, with its intimate scale, direct connection to the water, its panoramic views, and local San Francisco history. Yet it has been lacking public invitations to stay in the district, and moreover, the area has been lagging behind in recovery since the pandemic, with many of its long standing family-owned restaurants having closed or limited operating hours.

SITELAB worked across Port departments to align around a vision where Fisherman’s Wharf leverages its unique features to become a destination that genuinely appeals to tourists and locals alike. Recommendations include physical and programmatic improvements in three “zones of experience” - focused on connecting to the working waterfront, expanding upon the energy of Pier 39 and Aquatic Park, and strategically locating new public destinations using the streets and leftover spaces. The work emphasizes taking action now, with suggested improvements that can be quickly implemented, but also incrementally over time to set the stage for longer term transformations of the Fisherman’s Wharf area.

Public realm recommendations were in tandem with Economic & Planning Systems’ (EPS) real estate/retail analysis and recommendations. The Port has turned the recommendations into a work plan to begin implementation.

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