Ripley's Believe It or Not! Ended San Francisco Operations
The tourist attraction at Fisherman's Wharf will close by 2026, ending a 60-year run for the local business.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Ripley's Believe It or Not! has announced the closure of its San Francisco attraction, which has operated at Fisherman's Wharf since 1967. The venue will permanently cease operations before the end of 2026.
Why it matters
The closure marks the end of a long-standing entertainment anchor in one of the city's most prominent tourist districts. Owners of nearby businesses must now assess the potential impact on foot traffic and district demographics as a multi-decade tenant exits the area.
The attraction closes after 60 years of presence in the city, contrasting with other company sites like the 75-year-old St. Augustine location and the 50-year-old Myrtle Beach site. The company plans to sell a select group of exhibits tied to San Francisco history.
The players
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
An international entertainment company operating museums, attractions, and retail shops based on historical curiosities.
Robert Ripley
The cartoonist and entrepreneur who founded the global curiosities franchise after starting his career in San Francisco.
The details
The facility, which also housed a magic shop and a Guinness World Records Museum, will transition out of the market over the next year. Management is currently offering support services to existing employees as the company winds down its local operations. Select exhibits with historical ties to the city will be offered for sale before the property is vacated.
Timeline
1909: Robert Ripley began his professional career at the San Francisco Bulletin.
1939 and 1940: The company held an exhibition at the Golden Gate International Exposition.
February 2, 1967: The Ripley's attraction officially opened at Fisherman's Wharf.
Before the end of 2026: The site is expected to complete its final day of operations.
Market Landscape
The closure reflects the shifting retail and tourism environment at Fisherman's Wharf, a district that has historically been defined by its legacy attractions. This move follows a century of ties to the region dating back to the brand's exhibition at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition.
Operators in the tourism and hospitality sector should monitor how this anchor space is repurposed by the property owner, as the exit of a long-term tenant will likely reset baseline foot traffic expectations for the immediate Fisherman's Wharf vicinity. Business owners should also evaluate if they have upcoming lease renewals that require benchmarking against the current shift in district occupancy.
The takeaway
The exit of a legacy venue provides a signal that even established tourist anchors are susceptible to shifting market priorities in high-traffic districts. Local managers should track the vacancy rate at Fisherman's Wharf to gauge if this is a localized exit or part of a broader trend of footprint consolidation.
Further reading
For more on the changing retail footprint of the city, see Openings & Closings.
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