Ripley's Museum Will Close in Fisherman's Wharf
The attraction will shutter by the end of 2026 after nearly 60 years in San Francisco.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Visitors and locals will see the permanent closure of the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum in Fisherman's Wharf. The company plans to cease operations at the site by the end of 2026 after a six-decade run in the city.
Why it matters
The closure follows a company-wide reassessment of the museum's footprint and the shifting landscape of the waterfront. Whether the company finds a path to return to San Francisco in a new capacity remains an open question.
The museum has operated for 60 years in San Francisco, compared to 26 other active locations globally. The exact closing date in 2026 remains unknown.
The players
Robert Ripley
The founder of the oddities franchise who began his career at the San Francisco Bulletin in 1909.
Joe DiMaggio
The legendary San Francisco-born baseball player whose personal crutches are among the items slated for sale.
Janis Joplin
The iconic singer represented in a chicken-wire portrait that will be sold by the museum.
The details
The museum, which first debuted on February 2, 1967, will sell off a collection of San Francisco-themed artifacts including Joe DiMaggio's crutches and a portrait of Janis Joplin. The company intends to utilize nostalgia pricing for these items as it winds down local operations. It currently operates 26 other locations elsewhere, following recent closures in Atlantic City and Scottsdale.
Timeline
1909: Robert Ripley began his career at the San Francisco Bulletin.
February 2, 1967: The San Francisco museum debuted to the public.
2022: The company closed its Atlantic City location.
August 2025: The company closed its Scottsdale location.
End of 2026: The San Francisco museum will close its doors.
Across the Bay
The museum's closure marks the end of a local presence that traces back to Robert Ripley's career start at the San Francisco Bulletin in 1909. This departure follows a broader company trend of shuttering long-standing locations seen recently in Scottsdale and Atlantic City.
Residents and tourists have until the end of 2026 to visit the museum before it closes. Potential buyers can watch for upcoming information on the sale of unique San Francisco memorabilia.
The takeaway
The museum's departure highlights a significant shift for the Fisherman's Wharf corridor. Watch for further announcements regarding the timeline for the auction of San Francisco-specific historical artifacts.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of local storefronts, visit our Openings & Closings section.
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