San Francisco - Pier 39

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

Pier 39 in San Francisco is one of the most popular local and tourist attractions, at weekends it is crowded and pack with people.

This tourist and commercialized attraction can be a fun activity, especially when visiting the city with kids.

There are lots of fun things to do and see here, you can find here many restaurants, shops, small marine Aquarium, carousel, and more.

For some it may be considered as a “tourist trap” but it has it charm, and it is in my “must see” list of city attraction.

Map of the Pier39:

https://www.pier39.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PIER-39-Directory-2022.pdf

Map of Fisherman wharf:

 

Map of a day trip from Pier39 to Union Squire:

From the far end of Pier 39 you have open views of the bay, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sea Lions:

When visiting here do not miss, at the left far end of the pier, there is a colony of sea lions, usually you can see them resting on the floating decks. This colony arrived at this location few years back and since then the boat were moved from here and floating decks where installed. The number of sea lions here may get smaller over the years, but you will always see some over here.

 

There are many bay cruises options that start near the pier.

Nearby you can see the old Pier 43 Ferry Arch.

 

From the pier you can walk on Embarcadero St. to the west (direction of Golden Gate Bridge) and see all the restaurants, stores, and other tourist attractions along the bay front and parallel streets.

 

Maritime National Historical Park

This section of the piers is open museum operated by the National Park service.

You need to pay for entrance fee but if you have the National Park yearly card you do not.

This open museum has few old sailing ships, it is interesting to visit the ships but overall, this is not a mandatory place to visit.

From here you can walk to the nearby Ghirardelli Square.

 

At the corner of Maritime Garden, you will find the Powell & Hyde Cable Car station, you can take the cable card ride from here all the way to Powell & Market St. in the downtown and Union Square.

 

Be aware:

San Francisco is having a serious car break-ins epidemic problem.

The Fisherman's Wharf tourist area has bad reputation for that.

Don't leave anything valuable in your car when you park. It is always better to park your car in garage building and not in the streets, or even open parking lots. Pier39 Parking Garage is located just across the street from the pier.

If you are staying at one of the many hotels in this tourist area, I do recommend using their parking offering even when it cost more money.

 

Picture Gallery