San Jose man continuing San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf “Bushman” legacy

SAN FRANCISCO — Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is full of surprises, and there’s one that sneaks up on you.

Known as the Bay Area Bushman, he’s a local legend who has been startling unsuspecting tourists.

“You’ll never forget that a bush is just randomly jumping out at you on the street,” said Cory Barnette, the man behind the shrub.

Twice a week, Barnette makes his way to the promenade and gets into his costume made of vine and shrub. Then, he plants himself in the middle of the action, ready to ambush unsuspecting victims.

“I like a good jump scare,” said Marie Marks, a tourist from Indiana. 

“I like to prank people, so I appreciate a good prank.” Cassie Lujan, a mom from Sacramento, said she brought her kids to San Francisco just to prank them.

“It’s the ultimate surprise. You gotta be on your toes,” she said.

For the most part, people seem to take it in good humor, though not always. Barnette said a man once threw a cup of hot coffee at him after being spooked.

“It was cool. He came back and apologized,” Barnette said.

The gag is rooted in tradition. In fact, when he was just a little boy, Barnette’s dad brought him to the Wharf to watch the original Bushman, David Johnson, who startled tourists at the same spot starting in the 80s.

Two years ago, long after Johnson retired, Barnette, a delivery man from San Jose, decided to branch out and bring back the Bushman to the place where it all began.

It’s hard to say why people seem to like being scared, but Barnette has a theory.

“I think it’s just that shot of adrenaline,” he said. “And then once you realize that it’s just somebody dressed up as a plant. That’s when all the release sets in.” 

He earns a living by sharing his pranks on social media and collecting tips from the very people he startles.

Mainly, he said, it’s about bringing folks a bit of joy during these tough times.

“There’s a lot going on in the world and it’s just giving you something to laugh at,” he said.