Ripley’s Believe It or Not to close in San Francisco
San Francisco Chronicle • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is closing its San Francisco Odditorium at Fisherman’s Wharf after nearly 60 years, with the closure expected before the end of 2023, though no specific date has been announced.
- The company plans to sell exhibits tied to San Francisco, including unique items like a Golden Gate Bridge made on a pinhead and Joe DiMaggio’s crutches, while leaving open the possibility of returning to the city in the future.
- The closure is part of broader changes at Fisherman’s Wharf, which is undergoing a major physical and commercial transformation due to pandemic impacts, shifting tourism, and the loss of longtime businesses.
- Other notable closures and changes in the area include Alioto’s fish stand demolition, eviction of Fishermen’s Grotto No. 9, and the shuttering of attractions like the San Francisco Dungeon and the Cartoon Art Museum’s Wharf gallery.
- Ripley’s has a deep historical connection to San Francisco dating back to 1909, and the company expressed gratitude to its employees and commitment to supporting them through the transition.
