San Francisco’s Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! is set to shut its doors at Fisherman’s Wharf, with plans to auction off local oddities and historic memorabilia
NEED TO KNOW
- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! at Fisherman’s Wharf will close in 2026, though an official date has not been announced
- The museum has operated since 1967 and displays hundreds of rare artifacts for San Francisco visitors
- Select San Francisco-themed artifacts, including Joe DiMaggio’s crutches, may be sold as operations wind down
A long-standing fixture in San Francisco’s tourist neighborhood is set to close its doors permanently by the end of the year. Officials at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! confirmed that its museum located in Fisherman’s Wharf will close in 2026, marking an end to the attraction’s nearly 60-year run.
“It wasn’t one single challenge or event that led to the decision,” a spokesperson for the national chain told SFGATE in an emailed statement. “After nearly 60 years at this location, we took a broader look at the attraction, the changing landscape of Fisherman’s Wharf and what makes sense for Ripley’s moving forward. Ultimately, we decided the time was right to close this location.”
The spokesperson added that an official closing date has yet to be finalized. However, the company will continue to operate 26 other museums around the world, including locations near Niagara Falls, in Branson, Mo., Los Angeles and Mexico City…