Author: Alfredo Casuso

Fisherman’s Wharf Rings the Bell After Strong July 4th Weekend

Written on July 9, 2026.

Media Contact:
David Perry, David Perry & Associates, Inc. / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Fisherman’s Wharf Rings the Bell After Strong July 4th Weekend

Early Business Reports Show Record Sales, Sold-Out Hotels and Strong Waterfront Momentum Following Independence Day Celebration

9 July 2026 – San Francisco, CA: Fisherman’s Wharf is ringing the bell after a strong July 4th holiday weekend, with early feedback from hotels, restaurants, retailers and attractions pointing to a major boost in business activity across San Francisco’s historic waterfront.

“July 4th showed exactly what happens when San Francisco invests in safe, welcoming, high-energy public spaces and gives people a reason to come back to the waterfront,” said Bri Maughan, Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. “We’re still gathering feedback, but the early sales reports are overwhelmingly positive — sold-out hotels, record sales, and strong results from restaurants, retailers and attractions across the neighborhood. Fisherman’s Wharf is the waterfront playground of San Francisco, and this weekend proved again how important it is to the city’s economy, spirit and visitor experience.”

“San Francisco’s waterfront shined this July 4th as thousands of residents and visitors came together to celebrate in Fisherman’s Wharf and elsewhere along the waterfront,” said Michael Martin, Acting Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. “Their energy and excitement translated directly into a strong weekend for local businesses. We’re proud to see San Franciscans and visitors making the waterfront a can’t-miss destination – and equally proud of the small businesses, workers, and cultural institutions that make this place so special yearround.” While additional reporting is still being gathered, preliminary feedback from Wharf businesses shows that the holiday weekend delivered significant increases in revenue, record-setting sales for many businesses, and sold-out hotel rooms at key properties — underscoring the continued resurgence of Fisherman’s Wharf as one of San Francisco’s most important visitor destinations and economic engines for the city.

The Argonaut Hotel and The Zephyr Hotel were sold out over the holiday weekend. The Argonaut also reported its strongest July 4th performance since 2016.

Several PIER 39 tenants reported record July 4^th holiday sales and some reported historic record-breaking sales, while others in the district including Berry’s Boba and Matcha, Blue Mermaid, and Boudin Bakery also reported record sales during the holiday. And, Sabella & La Torre, an iconic Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant about to celebrate its 100^th anniversary next year, also reported on a successful holiday weekend.

Among other early business reports:

Cioppino’s Restaurant, located in Fisherman’s Wharf toward Aquatic Park, reported that sales on Saturday, July 4, 2026 were up 48% compared with Friday, July 4, 2025, and up 19% for the Wednesday-through-Sunday holiday period.

Only in San Francisco, located at PIER 39, reported sales up 20% on Saturday, July 4, 2026 compared with Friday, July 4, 2025. Bay Company, located in Fisherman’s Wharf toward Aquatic Park, reported sales up 100% on Saturday, July 4, 2026 compared with Friday, July 4, 2025, and up 20% for the Wednesday-through-Sunday period. Safe Harbor reported similar numbers. Business owners noted that the reopening of Maritime Park grass areas, which had been closed off last year, may have contributed to the strong performance. Wharf Central, also located in Fisherman’s Wharf toward Aquatic Park, reported sales up 20% on Saturday, July 4, 2026 compared with Friday, July 4, 2025, though not a record.

Business owners also noted an important calendar factor: with July 4 falling on a Saturday this year, compared with a Friday in 2025, sales on the holiday itself were expected to be stronger, while the surrounding Wednesday-through-Sunday period could be softer for some businesses.

The strong July 4^th holiday results build upon a growing season of public programming in Fisherman’s Wharf, including Pier Party at the Wharf, the weekly pop-up Fish Market, upcomingpublic programming at Taylor Street Plaza,Wags & Wheels, the return of Fleet Fest and the annual Chowder Competition in October, and big surprises ahead for the holiday season

The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District launched its fourth season of Pier Party at the Wharf in June as a free waterfront concert and community celebration featuring live music from some of the Bay’s best performers, dancing, premium craft cocktails, bistro-style seating, nearby restaurants and retailers, and views of the Bay. Starting July 25^th, the FWCBD will do it all again but with the golden hour backdrop with Pier Part at Sunset. They’ll take over the triangle lot adjacent to Boudin’s, providing for ample space for interactive activations, live artwork, and dancing to unforgettable Bay area music and breathtaking Bay views.
“Few neighborhoods tell San Francisco’s story as vividly as Fisherman’s Wharf,” noted Maughan. “What began as a working waterfront shaped by Italian fishing families, crab stands, seafood markets and maritime commerce has evolved into one of the city’s most visited and beloved destinations — a place where our historic fishing community, family attractions, iconic restaurants, public art and street performers, and wildlife and waterfront views all harmonize in the same spectacular place, the heart of the Bay.”

The 2026 event season builds on Fisherman’s Wharf’s continued resurgence, including the opening of several new restaurants on the horizon, new public art, enhanced pedestrian amenities, food and beverage offerings, the Fisherman’s Wharf Entertainment Zone, and the broader Fisherman’s Wharf Forward initiative led in partnership with the Port of San Francisco.

Upcoming Fisherman’s Wharf 2026 Events Include:

Fish Market
Saturdays, 8am – 2pm
A weekly opportunity to connect with the Wharf’s working waterfront and the seafood traditions that helped define San Francisco.

Pier Party at the Wharf
Now – September 26, 2026
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday
Come see the best of the Bay every 2nd and 4th Saturday. Free live music, local performers, dancing, cocktails, bistro-style seating, restaurants, retailers and waterfront views.

New Plaza Programming & Opening Event
Coming Summer 2026
Come visit the Wharf’s newest reimagined public space that opens a window to the heart of the Bay. Educational programming will highlight the working waterfront and maritime heritage.

Fleet Fest
October 10 & 11, 2026
Join us to celebrate our nation’s military and emergency service personnel in this dynamic festival right in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf. Experience performances and activities by local musicians and featured military bands, local businesses, veteran and active-duty support organizations, and much more.

Wags & Wheels
October 31, 2026
Whip down to the Wharf with your four-legged friends and your four-wheel rides.

Chowder Competition
October 2026
It’s back! After a several-year hiatus, the Wharf’s annual event celebrating the Bay’s most iconic dish — chowder — returns. This year will even include a category for “Best Sourdough.”

Oyster & Wine Festival
Spring 2027
A seasonal celebration of oysters, wine, seafood and the culinary culture of the Wharf.

For more information on all Fisherman’s Wharf events, visit www.fishermanswharf.org.

About the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District:
Established in 2005, the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District is a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting, advancing and maintaining Fisherman’s Wharf as a world-class waterfront destination. The FWCBD works to enhance public spaces, support local businesses, improve the visitor experience, and celebrate the history, culture and vitality of San Francisco’s most visited neighborhood.

About Fisherman’s Wharf:
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most iconic and beloved destinations, known for its historic fishing fleet, seafood restaurants, waterfront views, PIER 39 sea lions, family attractions, maritime heritage and enduring role as a gathering place for locals and visitors from around the world.

DP&A Salutes ALBA – The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives

Written on July 9, 2026.

It’s our job and our pleasure at David Perry & Associates, Inc. to represent ALBA, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, an educational nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and legacy of the American volunteers who fought fascism in the Spanish Civil War. Through archives, exhibitions, public programs, teaching resources and cultural engagement, ALBA connects history to the ongoing defense of human rights. As part of that effort, we are working with ALBA to preserve, protect and promote the monument to these brave soldiers in San Francisco.

We are proud to support an organization whose work reminds us that memory, justice and courage must be carried forward.

https://alba-valb.org/

News from AAP Food Samaritans. Save the Date October 11

Written on July 7, 2026.

I hope you enjoyed a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend filled with friends, family, and celebration. As the fireworks fade and we settle into the heart of summer, I am reminded that independence can mean many different things. For the clients of AAP Food Samaritans, it can mean having the nourishment and support necessary to remain healthy, maintain dignity, and continue living independently despite chronic illness and financial hardship.

Summer is an especially difficult season for many of the people we serve. Extreme desert temperatures bring higher utility bills, increased isolation, and difficult choices between food, medicine, housing, and other essential expenses. At the same time, seasonal charitable giving often slows as many residents leave the Coachella Valley for cooler climates.

Our clients, however, remain right here — and so does their need. AAP Food Samaritans continues providing food assistance throughout the summer, ensuring that our neighbors living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses do not have to face these challenges alone. A gift of $750 helps provide food assistance for five clients for one month, but every contribution, at every level, makes a meaningful difference.

This month, we are especially pleased to recognize Eisenhower Health for their compassionate and continuing support of our mission. Their generosity represents the very best of our community: organizations and individuals working together to help vulnerable neighbors live with greater health, security, and hope.

We are deeply grateful to all our donors, volunteers, community partners, and friends. Whether you contribute financially, attend an event, share our message, or introduce someone new to our work, you are an essential part of the AAP Food Samaritans family.

Please also save the date for Saturday, October 11, when we will gather for a special AAP Food Samaritans Garden Party during the Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. October 11 is also National Coming Out Day, making it an especially meaningful occasion to celebrate courage, visibility, friendship, and community — values that have always been central to the history and mission of AAP Food Samaritans.

Additional details about the Garden Party, including location, entertainment, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket information, will be announced soon. We hope you will join us.

As we celebrate the freedoms and opportunities represented by the Fourth of July, let us also remember the responsibility we share to care for one another. Your summer gift will help ensure that our clients continue receiving the nourishment, compassion, and dignity they deserve.

With gratitude and warm wishes for a safe and healthy summer,

Mark Anton
C.E.O./Executive Director
AAP Food Samaritans

DP&A Partner Salute – The SF Chamber of Commerce

Written on July 7, 2026.

It’s our job and our pleasure at David Perry & Associates, Inc. to be a member of and partner with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the city’s leading business organization and a vital voice for economic vitality, civic leadership and opportunity. Through advocacy, convening, programming and partnerships, the Chamber supports businesses large and small while helping shape San Francisco’s future.

We are proud to support an organization committed to strengthening the city we love.

https://sfchamber.com

Creative Communications.
International Connections.

Bill “Mr. Ocean Liner” Miller recalls “QE2”

Written on July 7, 2026.

Bill “Mr. Ocean Liner” Miller recalls a memorable crossing onboard the “QE2” in July 1986.

It is surely the most glamorously nostalgic voyage of all – crossing the historic North Atlantic aboard the last of the so-called transocean super- ships, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2. Almost all of the passengers were, in contrast to leisurely cruising, being transported – luxuriously transported, for the most part – from one continent to another. Unlike cruise voyages (which the Queen also runs), the crossing has a definite sense of purpose, a very real destination. My journey was slightly different, however. I traveled on a roundtrip: 5 days over, one night in England and then 5 days homeward.

When I boarded the QE2, as she is surely best known, at New York, she had just returned from her longest and most profitable charter yet, a special sailing from Southampton to New York via Bermuda, and then a “grandstand” anchorage in New York’s Lower Bay for the gala Fourth of July-Liberty Weekend celebrations. She had been chartered by Lee Iacocca, who had presided over the Statue of Liberty’s facelift and restoration fund-raising campaign, in his fulltime capacity as chairman of the Chrysler Corporation. Some 1,500 guests, most of them car dealers who had far and away exceeded their sales quotas, were invited for what was billed as “a caviar-filled, Champagne-flowing” trip. Robin Davies, the ship’s assistant hotel manager, was aboard for this special sailing and played an important part in the detailed planning.

“There were luncheon buffets and midnight buffets every day as well as an endless stream of special cocktail parties. The planning and preparation was enormous and even included a daily drink that bore an appropriate automotive name: Sundance, Shadow, Charger, Le Baron and Lancer. The passengers had been to Paris, a trip that included a special luncheon party at Versailles, and were then flown to London before being brought down to Southampton to join the ship. We had a special detour to Bermuda and a day there at anchor, when Mr Iacocca left the ship to fly onward to New York and prepare for the Liberty celebrations. Once at New York, the ship spent two days at anchor in Gravesend Bay. Champagne was served constantly on the open decks. We had perfect viewing for the Tall Ships parade and then the nighttime fireworks. Appropriately, we were anchored next to the largest representative from our Royal Navy, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.”

On the Atlantic voyage, the Queen had resumed commercial service and departed on an eastbound passage from her Hudson River berth with 1,550 passengers, 14 cars, 3 dogs and 2 cats on board. It would be her 586^th voyage since being commissioned in the spring of 1969. Built at Clydebank in Scotland by John Brown & Company Limited (which in those fading years of British shipbuilding had become Upper Clyde Shipbuilders), she was royally launched and highly publicized from the start, and was clearly a dramartically different successor to the two previous Cunard Queens, the immortal Queen Mary and the first Queen Elizabeth, which had run the weekly trans-Atlantic shuttle since 1947.

Today, the Queen Elizabth 2 is, I believe, the most famous liner on earth. It is a combination, in uncertain quantities, of her illustrious heritage (there has been no grander name in Atlantic passenger shipping than Cunard) and her own, quite distinct personality. John Butt, her executive cruise director, adds, “She is, of course, the last of an era, a very glorious era. There will never again be another like her. She makes news wherever she goes, grabs attention and offers her passengers a vacation of a lifetime. Furthermore, there have been some very noticeable injections of pride into the ship. The old-timers among the staff are setting a very fine example to the younger crew members. Like Chrysler, we’re bringing the Queen back!”