SkyStar Wheel Fisherman’s Wharf — Attraction in San Francisco

Anytime there is an opportunity to ride a ferris wheel to see a city from a different perspective, we are all in! We have experienced similar rides in London and Las Vegas, and came away with some amazing aerial photographs of parts of the cities we did not get to explore.

In the heart of The Embarcadero very near Fisherman's Wharf, you can't miss this attraction. We had a great view of it at night from our hotel, as well as stopping by to watch a few times before we chose to ride it. It is a great bang for your buck, you get to circle the area 4 times - enough time to take all the photos you want, and then just sit back and take it all in.

This is a cashless business. No debit or credit cards. I believe that there is a Groupon for this attraction, but for our circumstances, the cost was less than the best Groupon deal. There is also an opportunity to buy souvenir photos for $36. It is sold as a set, they do not provide the option for buying individual photos from the 10+ photos in different San Francisco locations. Before you enter the ride, a photographer takes 2 photos using green screen.

While the attraction is available during daylight and at night, if you are a photo junkie, I think you would get better photos of the skyline during the day. You can always stop by at night to see it lit up. It is something to see and experience, regardless of how you choose to do so.

While we were able to walk to the attraction from our hotel, there is an option for parking available. Drive 2 blocks to Jefferson and take a right on Taylor. I do not believe they charge for parking, but check their website for details.

I think this is a very fun attraction that should be enjoyed by all at least once, whether you experience it here or in another city. You can take your own photos or buy the professional photo package of you at...

Not what we had expected, unfortunately. We had signed up for their delayed opening ride in Golden Gate Park for the public at noon on 10/21/2020. We did this because we are "pandemic sensitive" and we wanted to be the first ones of the day to use the gondola in which we were placed. We arrived at 11:45 AM for the noon kick-off, and there were MANY, MANY people already in line. We had assumed that, because our ticket said "12:00 - 1:00 PM," we would be two of a MAXIMUM of 216 people (36 gondolas x maximum 6 people per car) during that time block, but that was obviously not the case. After 45 minutes in line, we had moved up to the ticket-checker, but the line then continued to wind back and forth in front of us; I asked the ticket-checker if the rest of the wait could be another half an hour; she said, "Maybe. . ." So we continued in line for another 15 or 20 minutes, but when we had hardly moved, we abandoned ship and left. It appeared that they would load individual gondola cars one at a time, then spin the wheel some number of rotations (3? 4? I didn't count, but it seemed very brief), then unload individual cars, then wipe down the interiors (I observed that action taking a couple of minutes per gondola by one young man - - more thorough than I expected, frankly, but not a quick process). Then, I suppose they reload the cars, but by that time we had left the line and began walking home. There are no refunds, so think hard about how long you're willing to stand in line for a view that's similar to going into the San Francisco Fine Arts deYoung Museum nearby and riding up the observation tower elevator - - there's no time limit to gazing out of the spacious observation room. So, I would say that the SkyStar Wheel was vastly over-hyped for what is offered. It's...

A Brief History of the SkyStar Wheel

The SkyStar Wheel is a popular attraction in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. This giant Ferris wheel offers breathtaking views of the city, the bay, and iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

The SkyStar Wheel was first introduced in San Francisco to celebrate the city's resilience and provide a new entertainment option for locals and tourists. It was initially set up as a temporary attraction in Golden Gate Park for its 150th anniversary celebration in 2020. However, due to its immense popularity, it was decided to move the wheel to Fisherman's Wharf.

Standing at 150 feet tall, the SkyStar Wheel features 36 climate-controlled gondolas, each capable of holding up to six passengers. This design ensures a comfortable ride regardless of the weather. The wheel is also equipped with LED lights that create a spectacular display at night, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of Fisherman's Wharf.

Thanks to its success and the joy it has brought many, the Wheel was relocated to Fisherman's Wharf in 2021. This new location allows more visitors to enjoy the experience, complementing the bustling area known for its seafood restaurants, shops, and other attractions.

The SkyStar Wheel has become a beloved fixture in San Francisco, attracting visitors from around the world. It provides a unique city perspective and has significantly contributed to the local economy by drawing more tourists to Fisherman's Wharf. Moreover, it symbolizes the city's enduring spirit and ability to adapt and thrive, even in...