Skystar Wheel - Fisherman’s Wharf, Ferris wheel at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, US
The Skystar Wheel is a ferris wheel at Fisherman's Wharf that rises above the waterfront to show off San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Forty-eight enclosed cabins take visitors up for views of the northern shoreline and the city skyline beyond.
The wheel was moved to Fisherman's Wharf in November 2023, arriving from Golden Gate Park to become part of the waterfront district. This relocation marks a shift in how visitors can experience the area's evolution as a major leisure hub.
The wheel marks how Fisherman's Wharf shifted from a working fishing harbor to a modern leisure destination for visitors. Today it serves as a gathering point where both tourists and locals come to experience the bay from above.
The wheel operates daily with each rotation lasting about 12 minutes in climate-controlled cabins for a comfortable ride. Come early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds and get better light for photographs.
The cabins are fully enclosed, offering protection from the bay breeze while still providing clear views of the water and landmarks. This design sets it apart from many other waterfront observation wheels that use open or partially open seating.
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