Musée Mécanique

The Musée Mécanique is one of the quirkiest attractions at Fisherman's Wharf: a vast collection of antique coin-operated machines housed in a warehouse on Pier 45. Entry is free, and most machines cost a quarter or fifty cents to play, so you can wander for as long as you like and spend only what you choose. The collection includes more than 300 artifacts, from player pianos and mechanical musicians to fortune tellers, shooting games, peep shows and early arcade games, some dating back to the late nineteenth century. Its best-known resident is Laffing Sal, a giant laughing figure that once stood at the Playland at the Beach amusement park. It suits families, history fans and anyone who wants a nostalgic break from the wharf crowds.

The collection was started by Edward Galland Zelinsky, a San Francisco native who bought his first coin-operated game as a boy in the 1930s and spent decades collecting and restoring machines. After his death in 2004, the collection stayed open to the public, and it has survived moves and the loss of its old waterfront home to continue operating on Pier 45. The experience still feels like a private collection rather than a polished attraction, which is part of its charm.

What will you find? Mechanical pianos with extra instruments built in, carnival-style tableaux with moving figures, boxing and strength testers, antique shooting galleries, early film machines and a Can-Can dancer. Some machines connect to older San Francisco landmarks, such as the amusement park at Ocean Beach, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House, so the museum doubles as a lesson in local history. A few machines are very old and in their original condition, so they can be temperamental. If something does not work, ask a staff member or try another.

A visit usually takes thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how many games you try. It sits near the sea lions at Pier 39 and the historic ships at the Hyde Street Pier, so it fits easily into a wharf day. Children often love the noise, the lights and the old-fashioned fun, while adults enjoy the craftsmanship. For a free attraction on one of the city's busiest stretches of waterfront, it is one of the most memorable.

Set a small budget in advance, because the machines can add up quickly, and bring bills you can change for quarters if there is a change machine on site. Look for the oldest machines, which are often the most charming, and for the ones that tell stories, such as the carnival scenes and the mechanical musicians.

Visit during the quieter part of the day, since fewer people means more time at each machine. After your visit, walk out to the end of the pier for views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.