Pier 39
Pier 39
What: A former commercial pier converted into a shopping and dining complex
Where: San Francisco waterfront off The Embarcadero between Grant and Stockton
When: Visit Pier 39 any time of day
Who: Pier 39 appeals mostly to shoppers and souvenir-seekers, but everyone enjoys the sea lions that live beside the pier
How Long: A few minutes to a few hours, depending on how much shopping you do, and whether you hang around for one of the shows.
Tips: Take advantage of the rest rooms at Pier 39, they are free and you may not find one again soon. If you park in the Pier 39 parking lot across the street, pay attention to the discounts they offer for purchases.
Pier 39 is touristy to the extreme. You may find some of it tacky (or not), but try to pick out the things that appeal to you and don’t let the crowds get you flustered, and if you really want to avoid the Pier 39 crowds altogether, go around the outside of Pier 39, then follow the water over to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Pier 39 Sights
Most of Pier 39 is filled with shops and restaurants, but there are a few attractions at Pier 39 of general interest:
Venetian Carousel: A beautifully carved and painted carousel made in Italy, the only carousel in the country that has artistic renderings of its home city.
Crystal Geyser Center Stage: Some of San Francisco’s best street performs appear at several shows daily near Pier 39.
Pier 39 Marina: On the quiet east side of Pier 39, you can enjoy views of the marina and city.
Great San Francisco Adventure: A 30-minute destination film highlighting the history, scenic beauty, celebrations, people and enchantment of San Francisco.
Aquarium of the Bay:A “diver’s-eye"view of marine life in the San Francisco Bay. In crystal-clear, acrylic tunnels, visitors travel on a moving walkway through 707,000 gallons of bay water, and come nose-to-gill with 10,000 marine creatures.
Sea Lions: The Pier 39 sea lions took over some of the nearby docks in 1990, and now they’re a year-round sight. You can see them from Pier 39, but the view is better from Pier 41. They’re always jostling around for the best spot to lie in the sun.
Forbes Island: The world’s only man-made floating island is open for dining every Wednesday through Sunday.
