Ripley's Believe It or Not! to Close San Francisco Location After Nearly 60 Years

Ripley's Believe It or Not!, a fixture in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf for almost six decades, will close its doors by the end of 2026. The company announced the closure on Tuesday, though a specific date has not yet been provided. The decision comes after a comprehensive review of the attraction and the evolving environment of the popular tourist area.

"It really wasn't one single challenge or event that led to the decision," Suzanne Smagala-Potts, a Ripley's spokesperson, told SFGATE. "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 museum, which opened in 1967, houses a collection of over 400 artifacts and features a 2,000-square-foot mirror maze. It is part of a global chain known for its displays of unusual and rare items. The company plans to sell several artifacts with significant ties to San Francisco, including a Golden Gate Bridge replica crafted on a pinhead, toothpick models of the bridge by a local artist, former San Francisco Giants star Joe DiMaggio’s crutches, and a chicken-wire portrait of Janis Joplin.

Ripley's has a historical connection to the city; founder Robert Ripley was a native Californian who previously worked for the San Francisco Bulletin. His exhibits were also featured at the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1939 and 1940.

Ripley's is the latest in a series of businesses to depart Fisherman's Wharf, an area that has faced challenges in recent years. The San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum closed in August after struggling to recover from the pandemic's impact. Several other long-standing restaurants in the district have also ceased operations.

In response to the area's challenges, the Port of San Francisco has initiated the Fisherman’s Wharf Forward program. This initiative aims to revitalize the historic district through upgraded public spaces and infrastructure designed to mitigate risks from earthquakes and rising sea levels.

Ripley's currently operates two other West Coast locations: one on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles and another in Newport, Oregon. Ripley's President Jim Pattison Jr. suggested that the company might consider a future return to San Francisco. "While we’re saying goodbye to this location, we’re not necessarily saying goodbye to San Francisco," Pattinson stated. "With Ripley’s, you never know. We might just be back!"