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Heralded as the city’s number one attraction, Pier 39 is an amalgam of tourist attractions ranging from a top flight Aquarium, assorted shops and restaurants, and the ferry terminal to outlying areas like Marin County and Alcatraz. But mostly what it’s famous for is its loud pod of sea lions that call the floating docks off the pier home. Tourists clamor for the best shots and though touristy, it’s hard not to get sucked right in. Leave a Comment
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Our favorite thing about Fisherman's Wharf were the sea lions that inhabit Pier 39. Hidden on the left side of Pier 39's shopping mall are hundreds of sea lions sun. An Alcatraz tour worker told us that these sea lions apeared here after the 1906 earthquake, relocating from the other side of the bay. I don't know if this is true or not???
These locals have taken over a marina that held boats and are an incredible natural attraction. Many people crowd around to see the sea lions, but many others never even realize they are there because they are well hidden on the left hand side of the pier.
When you visit the wharf, don't miss the sea lions! Leave a Comment
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Do I repeat myself here?? Go see the sea lions! They are an absolut blast, extremely funny, and you can see them up close. They are a little noisy and smelly, but that's part of the whole experience. The city of San Francisco left a dozen of floating wood platforms for California sea lions to rest on. Everybody is happy, the sea lions because they have a place to stay, the boaters of the surrounding Marina as the sea lions do not invade their docks!
Do not miss my sea lion travelogue!
If you want to know more about pinnipeds, such as the difference between a sea lion and a seal, go to http://www.pinnipeds.org/species/species.htm.
And if you cannot make it to San Francisco anytime soon, but cannot wait to see them, go to a webcam of the sea lions (I discovered that on VT Member Sims1 San Francisco page)!
Besides the sea lions, Pier 39 is a mega tourist trap, full of souvenir shops and too expensive restaurants (you pay for the view)! Leave a Comment Phone: (415) 705-5500Directions: Northern end of the San Francisco peninsula, East of Fort MasonWebsite: http://www.pier39.com
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Pier 39 has a number of quality stores targeted at San Francisco tourists (maybe I should Include this in my tourist trap tips hehe). A variety of gifts, gourmet foods, and handmade items can be purchased at the Pier 39 mall. PIER 39's location provides the picture perfect backdrop for postcard views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz, Angel Island on San Francisco Bay and the City skyline. It is a festival marketplace featuring 110 specialty shops and 13 full-service Bay view restaurants serving fresh seafood, California cuisine, and casual fare.
Ride the carousel or watch the sea lions. There are more than 25 one-of-a-kind gift stores that carry automobile, Hollywood, and rock 'n' roll memorabilia, as well as flags of the world, Russian dolls, collectible knives, hammocks, kites, and more. But tha is not all. You will find more than 30 more stores, including the famous Na Hoku to shop for clothing, jewelry and toys. It is a great place to pick up high-end San Francisco souvenirs (really thinking of putting this as a tourist trap).
I have a different tip for the Famed Pier 39 Sea Lions, pls see it!
Hours: Open daily, shop hours vary
Cost: No admission fee Phone: (415) 705-5500Directions: "F" trolley from Market Street, or on the Powell-Mason cable car,Website: http://www.pier39.com/home.cfm Other Contact: Fax:(415) 981- 8808
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Pier 39 is close to Fishermans Wharf and the place where most ferries and boattrips start (Pier 41).
Pier 39 is the spot where you can find hundreds of sea lions who made this place their "home". It's great wildlife watching, but quite noisy and smelly. Leave a Comment
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California sea lions are naturally curious. The flipper-footed opportunists scrounge for any food they can find, even a fisherman's catch. And that can lead to trouble. The Marine Mammal Center rescues ill, orphaned and injured animals, nurses them back to health, and returns them to the wild. It also serves as a bio- monitoring station and education facility for Bay Area students.
Shortly after the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, these playful sea lions started arriving in droves, taking over K-Dock in the PIER 39 West Marina (this is due to available dock space, a plentiful herring supply in the Bay and the protected PIER 39 marine environment). K-Dock is now officially designated a "Watchable Wildlife" viewing area by the California Watchable Wildlife Project. The viewing deck, with seating in front of K-Dock, affords visitors the opportunity to comfortably watch the sea lions.
Arriving early in the morning ensures you a front-row view of the sea lions basking off the pier, but if you're here to shop -- and make no mistake about it, Pier 39 wants your money, pure and simple (I should include this in my tourist traps) Phone: (415) 705-5500Directions: The Embarcadero at Beach Street, SF, CA, 94133Website: http://www.pier39.com/home.cfm Other Contact: www.marinemammalcenter.org/learn
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The Pier 39. Another place not to be missed during your visit to this fabulous town.
Piers that become markets. How many times I encountered this, especially in England and here in the United States. Nothing original, then, but still pleasant to visit and maybe have a quality dinner as we did that night. Can't remember what we have eaten, but I enjoyed it, still remembering the filthy Korean in Monterey. Leave a Comment
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Is it a tourist attraction, must see activity or Tourist trap? Not sure.
I guess you have to go and decide by yourself.
The main thing to do while there is to see the Sea Lions and them walk along the shopping area.
For many can be boring as it is all restaurants and shops, but the restoration that was done there is great. I did some sepia photos of here and it looks like half century ago.
Well done! (in marketing terms) to the brain behind this project!
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If you're looking to buy knick-knacks from SF, look no further than Pier 39. It's right near Fishermans Wharf on the Embarcadero, and has shops for almost every taste: souveniers, sports clothing (an NFL shop), even a small Irish store. There's seafood restaurants aplenty (beware-they can be a bit expensive), access to the Aquarium...and don't forget the sea lions-they're barking for attention!
Ferries to Alacatraz and other places are just up the block at Pier 41.
Like Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 is quite touristy and can be crowded on the weekend. If that's your kind of thing, you'll love it. If not, you'll probably not want to spend much time there. Leave a Comment
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Since 1990 the sea lions have been spotted out in PIER 39's West Marina. Every winter the population of these sea lions can increase by over 900 most of them males. They migrate south during the summer months for breeding season but you can still see a small group at the pier during this time. Leave a Comment
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