What Should A Remodel of Fisherman’s Wharf Look Like?

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 28 August 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Before the COVID pandemic hit, San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf averaged over 15 million visitors each year. While the waterfront is still one of the most visited areas in the region, the local businesses — including fishing companies, souvenir shops and restaurants — are struggling from a lack of investment, high rents and lower tourism. Now, the Port of San Francisco has announced a multi-year plan that involves a $10 million investment to renovate the area. Set to begin in 2026, the first phase of “Fisherman’s Wharf Forward” is a facelift for Taylor Street, which includes the demolition of a historic fish restaurant, Alioto’s, and the construction of a new public plaza with a waterfront lookout. We talk with the San Francisco Port, local fishermen and an urban design critic about the revitalization project, plans to preserve the history of the area, and what it all means for locals, tourists, and those whose livelihood depends on the waterfront. Guests: John King, author, "Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities"; former urban design critic, San Francisco Chronicle Elaine Forbes, executive director, port of San Francisco Sal Alioto, captain of historic fishing and tour boat, The Golden Gate, in Fisherman's Wharf Sarah Bates, captain of the fishing vessel, Bounty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Support for KQED Podcasts comes from Star One Credit Union. Give your savings account the love it deserves.
0:07.8	When you keep your money with Star One, you keep more of your money. Star One Credit Union in your best interest.
0:14.5	Imagine a delicious patty nestled between two buns with cheese and ketchup. It's not a burger. That patty, it's actually sausage,
0:21.7	which makes this a sandwich.
0:23.2	A breakfast sausage sandwich,
0:24.6	the new 199 sausage sandwich from McDonald's.
0:27.3	Made with RSPCA at short pork.
0:30.1	Until 11am.
0:31.1	Price and participation may vary.
0:32.3	Up charges and fees apply to delivery.
0:33.7	Subjects of availability.
0:35.9	From KQED.
0:51.9	Thank you. delivery, subjects of availability. From KQED. From KQED, From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Alexis Madrigal.
0:56.0	Fisherman's Wharf has long been an icon of San Francisco to people who don't live in San Francisco. Before the pandemic, 15 million people a year
1:01.8	visited the spot to take in the vibes of what's left of the commercial fishing industry and
1:07.6	imagine a different era. The pandemic crushed tourism across San Francisco, but the truth is the place needed a
1:15.4	facelift and maybe a lot more for many years.
1:19.3	Now there are plans afoot to change the look and the feel of fishermen's wharf led by
1:24.1	the port and a lot could be different by next summer.
1:27.9	It's all coming up next, right after this news.
1:38.8	Welcome to Forum. I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:41.7	Seems like every big city has an area that for one reason or another, usually rascally charm and cool history, comes to be a magnet for outsiders.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from KQED, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of KQED and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.