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Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Francisco

175 Jefferson St · San Francisco, CA

Why you should go…

Tucked into Fisherman's Wharf, this outpost of the Believe It or Not! franchise fills several floors with oddities, illusions, and strange-but-true artifacts collected from around the world. Interactive exhibits and a mirror maze make it a popular rainy-day stop for families visiting the wharf. It's part of the long-running chain built on Robert Ripley's newspaper cartoons of the bizarre.

  • #oddities museum
  • #fishermans wharf
  • #family fun
  • #rainy day
  • #san francisco

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Francisco, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    San Francisco Deluxe Tours

    $50+

    Hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tours covering San Francisco's major sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Big Bus Tours San Francisco

    $50+

    Open-top hop-on hop-off bus tours looping past San Francisco's iconic sights.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Shopping
    Quirky Fun

    International Spy Shop

    Free

    Fisherman's Wharf shop selling spy gadgets and surveillance gear, with an on-site airsoft range.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Pier 39

    Free

    A waterfront pier at Fisherman's Wharf with shops, restaurants, and a resident colony of sea lions.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Pacific Pinball Museum

    $25–$50

    An Alameda museum packed with dozens of playable pinball machines spanning nearly a century.

    7.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Jelly Belly Visitor Center

    Under $25

    Self-guided factory tour and candy store where visitors watch Jelly Belly jelly beans being made.

    35 mi awayMore like this