Pier 39, San Francisco

Pier 39 is what i like to call: a waste of money. Pier 39 is full of expensive fun/food. Places here are expensive. There's really nothing great say about Pier 39. It's really busy all the time, things are EXPENSIVE, WAY to many People. If you like arcades, i would recommend on going to the Metreon instead. More games, better games, better token exchange rate.

4 more images

Ah...Pier 39...the place created for the tourists. Shopping, dining, fun for the kids and all jammed together on Pier 39. If you are looking for crowds, this is the place to be. With places like the Hard Rock Cafe...of course the masses will come to visit. Throw in some sealions and ice cream and it's a family fun fest.

Pier 39, is a place to go when you have never seen it before or just happen to be walking by in the area. I have found it a bit to congested for my liking and the food and shops overpriced for what they are selling.

4 more images

The Sea Lions of Pier 39 are a big tourist draw. Once the sea lions numbered in the hundreds but recently their numbers have dwindled down significantly and no one knows why.

During our last trip to SF, we walked around Pier 39 and checked out the animals. There were a handful clustered together as well as a loner sitting by himself.

4 more images

Pier 39 is a great place to load up your camera with some very nice pictures. You get some great views over the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Coit Tower and the San Francisco skyline, not to mention the sea lions.
You can buy a sourdough bowl of delicious clam chowder or enjoy an ice cream while sitting on the pier and listening to the sea lions bark.
Take the Powell-Mason cable car to the end of the line at Taylor St. then walk three blocks down and to your right. It's about a ten minute walk to the pier.

1 more image

Thousands of people in Portugal discuss the best way to promote tourism in our country. Well, sometimes it just a question of luck, as in San Francisco. The sea lions decided to invade the pier 39, and locals only needed to accept them to have another unused attraction.

So, while the discussion continues, the lottery (or a candle in Fatima for the religious people) may help. But for the moment, only one message: If a lot of animals invade any Portuguese space, before acting, think at San Francisco's example: Extermination is not always the answer.

Refurbished in 1978 to resemble a wooden fishing village, this 1905 pier has over 100 shops & restaurants spread over two levels.

As well as its most famous attraction, the sea lions, it also has an aquarium & amusement arcades. Another highlight is the San Francisco Carousel, this hand painted carousel has 32 animals to ride.

4 more images

I had expected Pier 39 to be a pretty special place, but nothing could have prepared me for this total mish-mash of shops, restaurants, amusements, and wildlife.

The huge Christmas Tree and topiary reindeer at the entrance was just a suggestion of things to come. As I walked along the pier the attractively painted shops became more unusual, the restaurants (just starting to open for the day) beckoned with the wafting scents of garlic and seafood, and people jostled in the icy cold December morning to feast their eyes on this delightful spectacle.

I found myself facing the famous two tiered carousel. It wasn't as impressive as I'd expected, smaller perhaps, but there it was.

It's hard to miss Pier 39 as gigantic flags announce that you've arrived. Next door you will find the pier where you buy tickets for day trips to Alcatraz and boat trips around the bay and under the Golden Gate bridge.

We had only a very short time here. We intended to come back but never made it this trip. It is something I will continue to regret until I get here again.

I had heard that there were sea lions that liked to hang around Pier 39 and I was expecting to spot a few here and there. Initially I did but then I kept walking and spotted LOTS more. They are noisy and smelly but definitely worth watching for a while, There is a shopping, games, Aquarium complex right next to the se lions, My favourite shop was 'Lefties of San Francisco.' My favourite magnet from there was 'Everyone is born right handed only the greatest overcome it!'

Pier 39 is the place that most of the day tours leave from. Free to look around and definitely worth the time.