$1 Oyster Happy Hour on the Waterfront, Mon./Thurs.

When you’ve been in the city long enough, one begins to live in routines, sometimes only frequenting the same neighbourhoods, food joints and bars on a day-to-day basis.  Sometimes you need to change things up or entertain someone whose visiting.  It goes without saying that, with few exceptions, places like Fisherman’s Wharf are not at the top of most city dwellers lists no matter how bored or strapped for amusement you are.

 
If you’re looking for something seafood oriented with sweeping views of the bay, check out the Ferry Terminal instead.  Normally, this place is just as expensive as its tacky neighbour up the Embarcadero, but if you drop by Hog Island Oyster Company’s restaurant on Monday and Thursday afternoons then you’ll get some tasty sea creatures for a pittance.

briny treasures

Starting at five, they host $1 Sweetwater oysters on the half shell until seven o’clock.  They also have $3.50 pints and other cheaper small plates like boquerones and sautéed shrimp.

What’s even better is you get panoramas of Yerba Buena and Treasure Island, the Bay Bridge, the Oakland Hills rising in the distance and the hum of actual city folk and commuters in the beautifully restored setting.  Few things feel so quintessentially and majestically San Franciscan.

Hog Island Oyster Company

San Francisco Ferry Building

Embarcadero at Market Street