Visit Us at Fishermans Wharf

Welcome to the Musée Mécanique, one of the world's largest (over 200) privately owned collection of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines in their original working condition. (You can play them!)

Located on Pier 45 at the foot of Taylor Street in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.

Free Admission Every Day!

The Ringmaster - Detail from the Carnival We will take you on a journey from turn of the century hand cranked music boxes to modern video arcade games. This is a trip down memory lane. It is a chance to show your children or grandchildren what you did for fun when you were their age. Before video games at home, perhaps before television, perhaps what you remember sitting in your grandparent's parlor

For those of you who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is a chance to remember Playland at the Beach, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House. There is our own "Laffing Sal", "Susie the Can-Can Dancer" and the fascinating "Carnival." Other things have been brought in from around the world for your amusement.


The Story of the Steam Flyer by David Sarlin

The Steam Flyer on the Cover of Live Steam Magazine, May 1981 In May 1981, Live Steam Magazine published David Sarlin's story of his rebuilding and history of our steam-powered motorcycle known as "The Steam Flyer". The Steam Flyer is one of the prized possessions of the Musee Mecanique and draws fans from around the world to see it.
Please read A Motorcycle Full of Steam by David Sarlin (1.4Mb pdf)

Photobooth Book: Lost and Found at the Musée Mécanique

Photo Booth Book - Musee Mecanique Lost and Found at the Musee Mecanique! This amazing collection of photobooth strips from the Musee Mecanique was 35 years in the making. Made entirely of abandoned photostrips found in and around the Musee Mecanique's coin operated photobooth (ok, there's a few of our friends in there too!), we've compiled them in a unique format the likes of which you've never seen before. There are about 160 sets of photos (640 pictures) in each book.
p.s. YES, we still have two photobooths! Come by and try them out!

$19.95
(domestic orders +$5.65 (for up to 4 books) s/h +CA residents pay 8.5% sales tax)
(international orders please contact Dan)

Video: Our Favorite YouTube Videos


Musée Images

Inside the Wurlitzer

The Carnival,Gorilla

The Farm

The Musée on the Web

Chris Kohler of Wired Game|Life came to see us.

OpenRoad.tv with Doug McConnell

David of BoingBoing visited the Musee

Violet Blue and Geek Entertainment TV

Our Favorite YouTube Videos

National Public Radio Story

San Francisco Chronicle

Yelpers Review the Musée

  • Cassie J. (5/5) on Yelp (Wed Jan 27, 2010)
    Musee Mecanique found its new home at Pier 45- Fisherman's Wharf after their original location at Ocean Beach closed. H ...
  • Rylan C. (4/5) on Yelp (Sun Jan 24, 2010)
    This is probably my favorite destination at Fisherman's Wharf. I love the old fashioned arcade games and player pianos. ...
  • scott K. (5/5) on Yelp (Sun Jan 24, 2010)
    It's the best place to take anyone visiting from out of town. Get an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista before heading ove ...
  • Kristy H. (5/5) on Yelp (Fri Jan 22, 2010)
    I love this place. Old school arcade games and the best black and white photo booth in the city. What more could you ask ...
  • Rob R. (5/5) on Yelp (Mon Jan 18, 2010)
    The BEST attraction in Fisherman's Wharf!! We loved dropping our quarters into these antique fortune telling machines, ...
link to Musee Mecanique's Facebook Page
See Sal