Embarcadero YMCA - San Francisco, California

Mason C.

Embarcadero YMCA The Embarcadero YMCA (“Barcadero Y”), used to be called the “Army and Navy” YMCA, is the City’s historic landmark that was built in 1924 around the same time when another City’s historic landmark: Chinatown YMCA was completed. (Note: The YMCA of San Francisco in fact was founded in 1853 in Chinatown’s Portsmouth’s Square, with the first official Chinatown YMCA founded in 1871 followed by The Army Navy YMCA - now the Embarcadero YMCA - in 1908.) The building is a 10-story building with a unique Spanish Colonial Revival clay brick and terra cotta, used to be a 400-room residence (now “Harbor Court Hotel”) housing soldiers returning from war in WWII and Korean War maybe even Nam. (Note: The City is known for her patriotism in its glorious past remember the debate over renaming Army Street to Cezar Chavez in the 90s?) Old time staff members are very friendly as soon as you walk in you will be warmly greeted and sometimes they will even chit chat with you. In fact, one of staff used to work there and he and I became friends hanging out sometimes for Brewski in the Mission. But recently fresh faces are little timid maybe due to their “barely legal” age. 😂
The gym to work out is located on third floor is probably the most relaxing gym in the City with an astonishing waterfront view of the embarcadero including Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, Treasure Island all the way to pier 40 where Oracle Park is situated. (The neighborhood is said to be named by some young techies as “East Cut” scissoring a piece out of the “Dogpatch.” Did they forget to put the naming process on the ballet as Sup Engardio did to close the Great Hwy by cunningly expanding to the City ballot albeit is affected only by Sunset and Richmond residents. Perplexingly, it is said to be again the idea of affluent young techies including Yelp’s founder who can arrogantly stroll on the empty “Doom Park” during the week when hardly anyone except vehicular traffic out there while “working from home.” Now cars have to detour elsewhere through 19th Avenue which his notoriously known as pedestrians “injury zone” due to an incision of one of a few major arteries of the City traffic routes . Would this kind of “double standard” reflect true meaning and spirit of democracy of our great nation?)

The all gender pool and jacuzzi with locker rooms are located on 2nd floor. The pool is nice but lanes are narrow, water is not deep similar to Chinatown Y. Don’t expect accommodations of three, four, five or six swimmers simultaneously in one lane like “Stones Y” (Presidio Y has biggest pool imhv) although nice people there are neither “whales” 🤭 splashing water all over you by deliberately doing butterfly or simply enjoying virgorously splashing nor “sharks” 🤭 racing against you if you know what I mean.
Also on the 2nd floor are communal jacuzzi and sauna rooms (with an additional steam room), however, are separated in male and female locker rooms. Jacuzzi is square-shaped but probably is the biggest among other YMCAs in the City. Sauna rooms unlike “Stones Y” to me are quite daunting because everyone albeit nicely freshly showered some of our dear members are completely naked sitting next to you with their weenies hanging in front of you. Don’t get me wrong there is no such thing called "sauna room naked d_ck syndrome" 🤭
but proper dress code should be a subject for debate regardless of gender imhv.

In the past the weight room used to be right above men’s sauna room so it is annoying while you are in sauna hearing weights dropping on the third floor above you making naked member perhaps more trembling. Changes were made which is great imhv.
PS There's a vending machine with snacks and sodas located at the lobby. The "Perry’s" Embarcadero next door is also a good place to grab a bite or brewski. Not sure about the Japanese place as I am skeptical about the trend of unauthenticity in the City. Enjoy the "Barcadero Y!"

Mark B.

Recently, I found myself stranded in San Francisco, and the Embarcadero YMCA has been a lifesaver. The staff, especially manager Zach, were incredible—he provided me a lock when I was having a really rough day. Karina and Viviana helped me get a discounted rate due to employment loss and made joining simple even though I'm from Canada.

The facilities are outstanding, with beautiful views, top-notch equipment, and included towel service. Although the trial period is only one day, it's enough to see the value here. I highly recommend supporting this YMCA; they rely on memberships and donations and truly make a difference. Help however you can—they deserve the support. Thank you guys!

Bridgette C.

Beautiful location! Love the view of the bridge from the treadmill. The front and upper desk staff were great and one lady even showed me around. However when I went to look at the pool a man claiming he worked there stopped me and said that I couldn’t go in the pool unless I take a shower first which was awkward and then the female lifeguard said I couldn’t have my phone which was weird. I didn’t see them say anything like that to anyone but me the only black American there. I’ve been a longtime member of the ymca and was very disappointed with how they treated me.

louie

I'm very hopeful that phone use will be banned entirely in the gyms especially the wet facilities and locker rooms even those that are making calls while on the machines. This pervasive need to make extended voice calls and video calls in gyms where others can hear these phone conversations has been so normalized that people with poor phone etiquette actually believe it's their right and privilege to disrupt others around them. If people must have a phone they can simply say to the caller I'm in the gym I'll call you in a moment and step outside the gym.

Steven S.

A really good place to workout. There are a lot of exercise equipment in the gym. The pool looks spectacular too. I will be coming back here every Saturday to work out. It has a nice view of the bridge too

L G.

The strength training area is kind of rundown, with only two squat racks, both of them very old and far from the quality you find at the Oakland YMCA. The machines are also on the old side. I think they could rearrange some of the equipment to make the whole space more efficient. The pool is nice (and it’s a pool in downtown SF!!)

Don C.

Location great, staff wonderful, facility clean, views are fantastic but be careful to mind your things in the locker-room! Three times I've used this facility two times I've had things stolen in the locker room, not a great track record so be careful and mind your belongs at this facility! This concludes your Embarcadero YMCA PSA.

Kim V.

I love this location. When you’re on the treadmill - you can see the bay bridge and the water. It’s the most scenic view while exercising and I find it very therapeutic. I look forward to going every time I get a chance to go.