Alan C.
12/13/2025
I remember when the pier opened in 1978, it was such a big event. Dianne Feinstein opened the pier wearing a "Sutro baths" swimsuit, after losing a bet with the developers that the pier wouldn't...
PIER 39
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(1,628)
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The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
Pier 39 remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. There are a wide variety of family-friendly ways to have fun on the pier, including stores and restaurants, an aquarium, a carousel, free entertainment and special events. The active port also is the starting point for some cruises and ferries to various Bay Area destinations.
Must see and do at Pier 39
Be sure to go watch the colony of sea lions who reside on K-Dock. The sea lions are most plentiful in winter, but a group is almost always around. The street performers and daily music will entertain all ages, and children especially will love the pier's carousel.
Types of stores at Pier 39
Pier 39 boasts a wide variety of shops, ranging from the conventional to the quirky. A number of shops specialize in San Francisco souvenirs, and other shops exclusively offer candy, magnets, water massages, and even products for left-handers. The shopping is casual and oriented at tourists.
Food at Pier 39
There are several casual restaurants and stores that sell sweets and desserts, making Pier 39 a great place to grab a bite to eat during a full day of sightseeing. Many restaurants specialize in seafood, with Fog Harbor Fish House being a particularly popular choice.
Parking and public transportation at Pier 39
A parking garage is located at Pier 39. Parking is expensive, but it's possible to get discounted validated parking by eating at a Pier 39 restaurant. The historic F-Market streetcar and a few bus lines stop right in front of the pier's entrance.
Other places to visit near Pier 39
Tours to Alcatraz Island leave a short walk away at Pier 33. Fisherman's Wharf, which has additional shops, attractions, and seafood restaurants, is also only a couple of blocks away.
Insider tip to visitors for Pier 39
Weather tends to be cool and windy on the pier year round, so be sure to bring a jacket and wear long pants.
Author's bio: Kacie Berghoef is a freelance writer who has lived in San Francisco since 2011. Stay in touch with Kacie on Twitter at @kberghoef.
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Reviews
4.01,628 reviews
Bernice C.
12/12/2025
I visited in December and was surprised by how few sea lions there were compared to my previous visit. I remember seeing many more before, so it may have been seasonal. Many of the shops sell...
Michael L.
11/28/2025
I personally have taken for granted the awesome place, Pier 39. Being born a raised in SF and having lived for close to half a century here, not until I did a staycation in Fisherman's Wharf did I...
Bill P.
12/12/2025
After hearing about Pier 39, we were disappointed. Our reaction is that the site is just a tourist area. It has many different shops, mostly offering souvenirs of one form or another. There are...
Marco N.
11/21/2025
You just can't visit San Francisco without a stop at Thirty-Nine or Pier 39 :-). Yes, it's very touristy but it has its own history and charm. With views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz...
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