Embarcadero YMCA: Your Historic Fitness Hub in San Francisco, CA

Embarcadero YMCA Introduce

Welcome to the Embarcadero YMCA, a historic and vibrant fitness center located at 169 Steuart Street in San Francisco, California. Known by locals as the "Barcadero Y," this institution is a City Historic Landmark, a testament to its deep roots in the community. Completed in 1924, its unique Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of clay brick and terra cotta stands as a symbol of San Francisco's rich past. More than just a gym, the Embarcadero YMCA has a storied history, once serving as a 400-room residence for soldiers returning from war, and it continues to be a cornerstone of the city's health and wellness landscape today.

The Embarcadero YMCA offers a comprehensive fitness experience designed to cater to a wide range of needs and goals. Our facility is thoughtfully laid out to provide a variety of workout spaces, from the spacious fitness floors to the indoor pool. A customer review highlights the gym's "open and airy" design, with cardio equipment like "elliptical, jogging and bike machines" positioned in front of "open windows with a view of the Embarcadero, San Francisco Bay to Oakland Port and Ferry crossings." This stunning vista is a major highlight, making your workout not just a routine, but a truly enjoyable experience with some of the "cleanest 'GOOD AIR QUALITY' city" air in the USA.

Our commitment to providing a welcoming and well-maintained environment is a point of pride. A customer noted that our facilities are well-cared for, with "decent machines" and a "well designed floors." We believe that a clean and functional space is essential for a productive workout, and our team is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards. We are more than just equipment; we are a community. Our staff is described as "fully competent and pleasant," and we strive to create a friendly atmosphere where every member feels supported in their fitness journey.

Location and Accessibility

The Embarcadero YMCA is centrally located at 169 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. This prime address places it in the heart of the Financial District and right along the picturesque Embarcadero waterfront. The location is not only beautiful but also incredibly convenient for professionals working in the area and residents of downtown San Francisco.

Accessibility is a key advantage of our location. The area is well-served by a variety of public transportation options, including BART and Muni lines at Embarcadero Station, making it easy to get to the gym without the hassle of driving. For those who walk or cycle, the surrounding area is a "Walker's Paradise," and the gym is a fantastic pit stop on your way to or from work.

Services Offered

Fitness and Strength Training: Our facility includes well-equipped floors with a vast array of cardio machines, free weights, and strength equipment. Our weight room, while compact, offers all the necessary tools for a comprehensive workout.
Personal Training: We offer personal training sessions with a team of "fully competent and pleasant" trainers who are dedicated to helping you achieve your fitness goals with a personalized plan and expert guidance.
Aquatics: The Embarcadero YMCA features an all-gender pool with lap lanes and a communal jacuzzi. The pool, while not the largest, provides a functional space for a variety of aquatic activities, including lap swimming and water-based classes.
Group Exercise Classes: The YMCA offers a wide variety of group fitness classes, including a Gymnasium for sports like basketball and volleyball, and dedicated studios for other classes. These classes provide a motivating and communal way to stay active.
Sauna and Steam Rooms: Our locker rooms are equipped with separate male and female sauna rooms, and a steam room is also available. These are perfect for post-workout recovery and relaxation.
Recreational Sports: Our gymnasium provides space for various sports, including basketball and volleyball, offering a fun way to stay fit and active.

Features and Highlights

Stunning Views: One of our most unique features is the picturesque view from our fitness floors. The "open windows" provide a scenic backdrop of the Embarcadero and the San Francisco Bay, making every workout more enjoyable.
Historic and Architectural Landmark: The building itself is a point of interest, with a rich history and unique Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Working out in a historic landmark adds a special element to your fitness routine.
Clean and Well-Maintained: A customer review points out that this location is "much cleaner" than some other YMCAs, with a "well designed" interior and "somewhat clean shower." We provide a complimentary towel upon entry for your convenience.
Access to Pool and Jacuzzi: We offer access to a refreshing pool and a large communal jacuzzi, which are great for both workouts and recovery. The separate saunas and a steam room in the locker rooms also provide a relaxing experience.
Community and Camaraderie: The Embarcadero YMCA is a place where a diverse group of people come together to exercise with respect for one another. A customer noted the good gym etiquette of the members, which contributes to a positive environment.
Affordable Pricing: A customer review describes the price as "perhaps what makes this the best FITNESS deal available anywhere in this industry." The YMCA is known for offering great value for its services.

Contact Information

To learn more about our facility or membership options, please contact us at:

Address: 169 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Phone: (415) 957-9622

Mobile Phone: +1 415-957-9622

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing a gym in San Francisco can be a challenge, but the Embarcadero YMCA stands out as a worthwhile choice for a variety of reasons. Beyond the typical gym offerings, it provides a unique blend of history, community, and scenic beauty. The historic building with its distinctive architecture makes it a place of pride for its members. The stunning views of the Bay from the cardio machines add a motivating and refreshing element to your workout that few other gyms can offer.

The range of facilities, including a well-equipped fitness floor, a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and gymnasium, ensures that you have access to everything you need for a well-rounded fitness routine. While the pool lanes are noted as being narrow, the welcoming and respectful atmosphere of the community makes it a pleasant place to swim. The availability of personal training and group classes provides additional support and motivation. Finally, and perhaps most compellingly, the price point makes the Embarcadero YMCA a truly accessible and exceptional value, a "best FITNESS deal available" that allows you to invest in your health without breaking the bank. For those in California looking for a gym with character, community, and great value, the Embarcadero YMCA is an excellent choice.

Embarcadero YMCA Photos

Embarcadero YMCA Location

Embarcadero YMCA

California San Francisco County San Francisco Embarcadero Steuart Street

169 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA

Embarcadero YMCA Reviews

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? Army imhv should have remained while Cesar be added between Sanchez and Valencia.]On 2nd Floor located the all gender pool and jacuzzi with separate locker rooms for male and female. The pool is nice but lanes are narrow, water is not deep similar to Chinatown Y. However, don't expect accommodations of four, five or six swimmers simultaneously in one lane like “Stones Y” (Presidio Y has biggest pool imhv) although there are neither “whales” 🤭 (who splashing water all over you by deliberately doing butterfly or simply enjoying virgorously splashing) nor “sharks” 🤭 racing against you in the "medium slow" lane.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” everyone is communal are quite daunting because some of gentle people albeit nicely freshly showered 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 imhv should be at least subject for debate regardless of gender preference or sexual orientation.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 "Johnsons" more trembling.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!"
June 25 · Mason Chen
The elliptical, jogging and bike machines are positioned in front of open windows with a view of the Embarcadero, San Francisco Bay to Oakland Port and Ferry crossings. All with perhaps the cleanest "GOOD AIR QUALITY" city in the USA. The entire facility is open and Airy. Personal training sessions available and I find staff fully competent and pleasant. Entry comes with a complimentary towel which of course is left at the facility. The price is perhaps what makes this the best FITNESS deal available anywhere in this industry. Thank you YMCA YOU GET 4.7 Stars. If I could get my own lane anytime at pool that would get you 5.
September 02 · Scott D
Love love love this Y. Clean, beautiful facilities, super friendly and helpful employees, no attitude from anyone, great equipment, nice classes. In addition to the pool there’s a jacuzzi, steam room, and dry sauna. Wish the pool and stretching area was bigger but you can’t have it all!
July 20 · Bobby Goodman
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!
June 13 · Mark Brienza
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.
March 28 · Bridgette Clayborn