Pier 39

A little better than average. Probably another of those things that you can do to enjoy a day outside and people watch. Plenty of stores, some better than the usual trinket fare, but also some decent food place and s carousel to amuse the kids. They have a magician there sometimes as well. It’s a nice stop for the day.

Review for 6÷17÷16
I highly recommend visiting Pier 39 at least once if you ever visit San Francisco. It is very easy to spend a good amount of time here. There are tons of dining options, from sit-​down restaurants, like Bubba Gump’s, to hot dog stands and small crêpe shops.
One of the things I really enjoyed is the number of tourist-​y shops with super inexpensive souvenirs, with deals like $ 2.99 hats and 3 for $ 10 t-​shirts. They also have a ton of specialty souvenir shops, including a hat store, a sock store, and a magnet store.
There are also really great views of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the pier. Don’t forget to stop by and see the iconic Pier 39 sea lions!
There are definitely lots of sights to see and things to do here, so be sure to plan enough time here!

Have not been here in years (last time I was, Unilocal was not around)! IT was such a neat place to stop and visit. So much to see and do! The shops, the seals, the restaurants, the view while walking around. Pier 39 is a must stop when in San Francisco. You won’t regret it! We walked here from our hotel at least 4 different times on our stay and just couldn’t get enough!

Pier 39 is super touristy, but it’s worth it to see the sea lions. There are also street performances, some overpriced shops and restaurants, the Aquarium, and an arcade. It’s one of those places you go to once, while you’re a tourist — and then you’ll never come back.

I have always enjoyed Pier 39 and I probably always will but the independent street performers are getting out of hand. They literally clog up the sidewalks and walkways so it takes effort to get around them and all the onlookers. I believe in freedom of expression and trying to earn a buck but they are getting out of hand. The pier is always kept squeaky clean and all the shops and restaurants are great. Good place to bring your family and take in the sights

Pier 39 has been my happy place since I was a kid. I remember coming here as a child to see the sea lions. A visit to SF is not complete without coming to Pier 39. It is a popular tourist shopping center and attraction built on a San Francisco pier with shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39’s marina. The marina is home to the floating Forbes Island restaurant. Love the two-​story carousel is one of the pier’s more popular features. I am a left handed so the famous store Lefty’s is a Left-​handed haven for original kitchen tools, basic school supplies, musical instruments & more. I get my favorite sweet treats like mini cinnamon sugar donuts at Trish’s Mini Donuts, yummy flavors at the Fudge House, Banana Nutella Crêpe at The Crêpe Café, taffy at Candy Baron. Some of the best seafood places I have eaten at are at Pier 39 like Pier Market and the Crab House. Fun group dining spots like Bubba Gump and Hard Rock Café.
A popular spot to take pictures is at the end of the pier with a good view of Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. It is a fun place to visit for your and old alike. This place is definitely a must see in SF. Even as a local I love coming here! 5 stars!

It’s just one of those places that you have to go to and cross it off your list. I’ve been three times and I honestly think you can go once or twice and then explore other places in the area — the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Warf, etc.
I do ask that you please not throw anything in the water or yell at the seals. Just look from afar, enjoy the view, take your pictures and keep it moving.

It’s a bit quirky but still a lot of fun to visit. I had a much better time here then Fisherman’s Wharf. Leave your diet at the door because the food and the aroma is pure sugary goodness from ice cream to crepes. There are some other kitchy shops but I bypass those. And although it’s pretty stinky, going to see the sea lions floating on the wooden planks is so fun. I was truly shocked at how big they got!
I’m guessing rain or shine it’s busy here because on our rainy day it was packed. We parked at Ghirardelli Square and walked to it since that area was a little quieter. Definitely do not miss this place if it’s your first time in SF! Even if it is cheesy, I can’t imagine the city without it.

Last time I was in San Fran, I walked down here mostly just to see the water, feel the breeze and walk by Francis Ford Coppla’s old office where he wrote the screen play for the Godfather!
The Pier is absolutely beautiful, no doubt, but it’s also crazy with tourist in every direction.
There are street performers and people dressed up in costume! I took a picture of some Star Wars dudes taking a break and smoking a cig, and Chewy yelled at me and told me to get out of here! What a Wookie!
There is a great view of the city from here as well as Golden Gate, and Alcatraz, but if your not into big crowds and you might want to skip this little nugget of San Fran.

I can’t believe that I haven’t written anything about Pier 39 yet. Living in SF all these time and yet of all places. Perhaps most touristy area second to GGB.
So what do people exactly do here, or need to do? Well you should always start out with a plan or map or the area. Most local newspaper stand will carry a booklet fill with deals and coupons. If not, the hotel you’re staying at will have them usually lobby or business center. Grab one of those along with a well thought of plan that’ll navigate you for the rest of day. Worst thing is to come into town and waste half a day asking questions and looking at maps getting lost. I see this everyday and makes you wonder where the folks are from?
I’m not gonna hold your hand and explain every detail like a virtual tour, but the following listed Do’s/Don’t’s should get you some ideas along with a little common sense.
Do: Plan a head (at least the night before), check local forecast/​traffic, read street posted signs, call ahead place of visit, determine mode of transportation, obey all state/​city law, have two plans ready just in case, grab coupons/​deals booklet, grab some loose change if possible (leave the pennies behind), wear– comfortable shoes/​clothing/​sunglass/​hat etc (depending on season), make sure gadgets have ample power supply, binoculars (optional) coin operated available, travel size first-​aid kit.
Don’t: Leave valuables in car, large bills of $ 50/100’s, park on a restricted meter (red/​yellow/​white), litter/​spit, feed birds, text or talk while driving (state law CVC 23 123), hog up side (walking side-​by-​side), impede traffic (unless posted signs say so), cut lines, ride bike on sidewalk, assume public restroom available everywhere, ask for change without purchase, be shy asking for directions/​help.
*Be aware of street performers at all times. Not saying everyone of them is BAD or GOOD. I mean its your life, your vacation time. I can care less of what you doing, but I’m just trying save you from police report, time spent on phone, and a ruin vacation. Now, shows call strutting were arms, hands, legs, elbows, necks, heads, fingers, knees, ankles etc. Anything connected to a body that seems like its loose or dislocated. The oohs and aahs will dazzled those that never seen such a show. While your eyes on them, they’ve have eyes in the crowd too. When a mark (victim) is located, the schill will shout out to performers like «louder». So, music is louder and they ask everyone to come closer in a circle. The pickpocket thief need people to cramp up closer for the pick to work. After the pick has been lifted, they ask everyone to back up to were you first stood. This is to inform the schill, that it’s a done deal for them (pickpocket) to buy some time leaving the scene. Now they’ll ask everyone to clap and make some noise if you want to see more of it. Probably another 2 – 3 mins with a couple of more moves then the TIPS box appears with a message saying tips are appreciated. When you reach for your billfold thats when you know you been had. To prevent this from happening keep valuables in front pocket for (men) and ladies have all zippers, buttons, straps, velcros on handbags closed up making it harder to get a hold of.
Final Thoughts: Pier 39 is a great place to hangout with the family. There’s something for everyone no matter how old or young you are. Whether it’s the sea lion, scenic iconic views, crab stand, seafood restaurants, alcatraz aka («the rock»), USS Pampanito, aquatic park, Hyde street pier, Boudin, musée mécanique, aquarium of the bay etc. Have fun, but always exercise with caution, the ball is not in your court applies here.

One of my favorite tourist traps in SF. Sea lions, great restaurants with beautiful views, street performers and so much more. A very fun place for the whole family. Parking costs a bit but if you go to one of the restaurants they give you some free hours. Many tours start from here. Probably best to research a bit and plan since there is so much. Less of a chance to miss something you really like. Although regimented and pre-​planned is not my style, I still recommend you do it for a place like this. Maybe you don’t want to get there and start researching restaurants on your limited vacation time here — its understandable… Stuff like that can be done at home ahead of time.
When it comes to something like this I usually recommend you hit up the hotel concierge on recommendations. They are professionally trained for just this sort of thing — you are paying for their expertise as part of the high cost of your hotel, so give them consideration.
Me as a local (east bay) I just tell my friends from other countries to simply go here. Let a degree of impulsiveness guide you. Walk past a restaurant and go to the one that lures you in by what you see and smell. I don’t have a regimented list of what to do here I just put it on the must see list. Just as I do going by bicycle across the Golden Gate and photo opportunities of Lombard St and the six Painted Ladies at Alamo Square — I simply tell them to go. Let things naturally fall into place.
Put on some sun screen, make sure your phone is fully charged. Take a windbreaker in case you decide last minute to take a sailboat ride… Enjoy!

You have to visit Pier 39 when you are in SF ! You HAVE to. A real must have. Everyone on the world know this place and it wouldn’t let you down. It’s a really amazing spot with so many things to do. So many restaurants and souvenir shops. And last but not least, the sea lions. Very special to see.

The pier is so much fun! There are sea lions, markets, restaurants and little shops. It is a tourist trap and it seems like its more expensive because of that. But, just don’t buy anything, go eye-​shopping and watch the sea lions.

Pier 39 is a great an excellent place to visit when touring around San Francisco. On the pier you will find plenty of restaurants of all kinds and price ranges. Lots of souvenir shops with the $ 10 t-​shirts and pretty much anything you can think of with a SF logo on it.
You can find a good place to eat no doubt, especially the famous clam chowder sourdough bowls. Plenty of chocolate from Ghirardelli and sports gear from the local teams.
The views are great too. Walk to the end and see Alcatarz island. Turn to the left and you see the Golden Gate Bridge, to the right you can see the Bay Bridge. Overall a very nice view of the bay on a clear day.
Parking is a whopping $ 27. I was not a fan of that :(- that puts this place right under the category of tourist trap. And plenty of tourist you will see. But hey when in Rome…
A short walk down the street you will find more seafood places to eat, and evern further the Ghiradelli chocolate company. An easy walk if you are up for it.
I usually always make my way to Peir 39 when I visit the city.

Hey you! Are you looking at Unilocal to see if you should visit Pier 39? Why are you even on here? You already know if you’re visiting SF for the first time that this is the MUST on every Bay area Bucketlist.
YES– its filled with tourists on any given day. YES– most stores are probably over priced. YES– its a cliché tourist spot. But it IS a Bay Area Landmark and destination known around the world.
Sitting right next to the Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli square. There would be no excuses for anyone NOT to stop by Pier 39.
I always come here when i visit with new friends because its great for photos. I consider this a great place to shop if you’re looking for SF type souvenirs its a one stop shop for all things SF, chocolate and random gift things.
From the pier you also get a great view of Alacatraz and the Sea lions.
If youre thinking about going here. Just go. You get: Fishermans Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Pier39 and even a cable car ride all in one. Best to spend one whole day here!

I’ve been coming to Pier 39 since I was very young! Such a fun place!
It is beautifully located on the bayside of SF. There are many «piers», but this one is the best and most fun.
There are a lot of shops, restaurants and entertainment located here. Some are more touristy than others. However, it is fun for locals and tourists.
One of my favorite things about Pier 39 is seeing the seals… so many seals! They are fun to watch.
One of my MOST favorites is the Bush Man. haha. He has been scaring people since I was young… decades! He hides in a bush and jumps out to scare people. When I was younger we would watch from the distance and it was hilarious. He has his own Unilocal page, so check it out haha.

On a nice sunny day, this is one of my favorite areas to visit in SF. The views of the boats, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz can’t be beat and the people watching is fun too.
There are great restaurants, fun little shops and a lot of street entertainment on the walk to or from Fisherman’s Wharf.
It’s a great spot for all ages and interests.

It’s an awesome place to people watch, window shop, eat and just hang out.
The weather was fine. It was an amazingly summer-​like winter day when I went. Blue skies, not a cloud in the sky.
There’s Ben and Jerry’s — My weakness, tonnes of restaurants (clam chowder in the infamous sourdough), coffees shops, ice creams amd chocolate shops.
Lots of interesting shops to wander in, souvenirs and random stuff too. And of course, the allegedly world famous sea lions were all sun bathing.
There’s a great view of the golden bridge from the pier and also the alcatraz (didn’t seem far to swim for those prison escapees!)
There are other touristy stuff like boat riding too. The queue was pretty long.
For those who drive, there’s a huge car park next to it. The walk from downtown was about 30 – 40 minutes and it was very pleasant.

–Atmosphere & Parking—
I’m rating this as high as this because quite frankly there aren’t places like this all over the world. I’d probably describe the pier and surrounding locale as the Venice Beach of the North (for California residents) except it’s not a beach.
Where else are you going to get street performers, vendors, photo opportunities, numerous shops and café’s, restaurants abound, and with options for various activities all over the place? It’s definitely a unique area and super touristy and very busy with locals around as well. When in the Bay Area it’s definitely an area to see. There’s truly a lot to do, even if it’s just watching the sea lions roam around or glancing over at Alcatraz miles away.
Attractions include the Aquarium of the Bay, a lazer/​arcade game attraction, caricatures, an arcade, carousel, a mirror maze, musicians, and more.
Pier 39 is just one of the many piers in the area with lots to do.
Parking is a mess in ways (but that’s San Francisco in general as well) and expensive depending on how far you’re willing to park but there are lots around the neighborhood that have cheaper prices than others or even free parking in the neighborhoods. You’ll have to take a look around. Parking at the garage nearby (Pier 39 Parking Garage) will be costly if you don’t get validation at a participating full service restaurant. I believe you can get parking validated for 1 hour if you leave before 5pm, and if you leave after 5 or 6pm with the validation you’ll get 2 hours. I think the hourly rate is $ 8 – 9 dollars.
It can get cold especially in the evenings, so I’d have a light jacket/​sweater around in case.
—-Something worth checking out — -
Check out these two sites for plenty of info regarding the piers in general and their respective attractions and more, and this specific one.

The sea lions are one of San Francisco’s greatest tourist attractions. Yes this is a tourist trap, but there’s a reason why. This colony of sea lions is an amazing sight to behold.
Pier 39 is a huge area and part of a large outdoor shopping center. The stores are typical touristy spots and the street performers, avoid them at all costs.
Head straight to the pier to see these cute little guys. Bring your kids, bring your family, it’s worth the trip.

DON’T GO TO THE RESTROOMS. You simply must avoid them. They are really dirty all the time. I don’t even see any cleaning crew around. They smell really bad. Upon entering, a foul stench fills your nostrils and burns them beyond recognition. It is as if Satan himself were tasked with designing a restroom so repulsive that even his captives would rather go in the corner in the fiery depths of hell. The standard of toilet tissue is also truly appalling, double ply in this day and age is simply a must. If I wanted to use single ply I would move to a third world country. I have heard people complaining about the sea lions but they are an absolute walk in the park compared to the halitotic odor emitting from these death traps.
Otherwise lovely place.

Huge Tourist Trap — However, The Sea Lions Are Worth Visiting in the Early Morning to Avoid the Crowds.
My mother and I visited Pier 39 briefly on the morning of July 31^st, after strolling along the waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf. We walked to the area after riding the Powell-​Hyde cable car and hopping off at Lombard Street.
Pier 39 is a huge tourist trap. It consisted of a boardwalk-​style pier lined with expensive souvenir shops and chain restaurants catering to tourists by selling overpriced goods. However, there was a large carousel in the centre of the pier that I enjoyed taking photos of, which was very colourful and beautifully detailed. Pier 39 was basically a large outdoor mall.
When we arrived to the pier in the early morning (around 8 AM), there was nobody around and we were the only people there (because the stores/​restaurants had yet to open), which was lovely and the atmosphere was quiet and relaxed. However, I can only imagine how busy and crowded this area would be starting in late morning and into the afternoon and evening. As someone who hates crowds and overly touristy areas, Pier 39 is definitely a place that I would avoid at all costs during these times.
My mother and I only stopped at Pier 39 because we happened to be in the area. Originally, we did not plan on coming here and definitely would not have gone out of our way to include this in our itinerary.
After strolling around Pier 39 and taking photos of the interesting carousel, we wandered over to the area of the pier where the sea lions were. For me, this is the only part of Pier 39 that made my visit worth it. There were also great views of the Bay and Alcatraz Island that were worth checking out.
There were a bunch of large wooden platforms floating in a section of the Bay with tonnes of sea lions laying on them and piled on top of each other. We watched them for a little while, as they moved around, jumped on and off the platforms into the water and played with each other. It was quite fascinating and I really enjoyed watching them!
You might like Pier 39 if shopping for overpriced touristy souvenirs, eating at expensive and inauthentic restaurants and battling through crowds of people are things you enjoy. But in my opinion, the only worth seeing at Pier 39 are the sea lions. If you do choose to visit here, I recommend getting there as early in the morning as possible, in order to beat the crowds.
Despite the fact that I enjoyed strolling around the pier in the morning and enjoyed watching the sea lions, I would not return to Pier 39 for a second visit. In my opinion, there are so many more interesting things to see and do and authentic neighbourhoods with character and history to explore in San Francisco. Do yourself a favour and don’t waste too much of your time here!

Fisherman’s Wharf, basically Pier 39 is where the tourists are at, a.k.a ME! Yes, I love touristy locations (except for the fact that everything is overpriced and crowded with people all the time). I came when there were two cruises, so definitely not one of my favourite times, but there was live music that day, the sun was shining beautifully, all the shops were open for business!
There were a few souvenir shops, special stores such as a «lefty store», a store that sells wooden and cork objects, a store that sells baths salts, etc, a few restaurants such as Buba Gump, a pretty famous restaurant world-​wide. At Fisherman’s Wharf, there’s also a location that sells a ton of friend seafood products along with a lobster claw meat sandwich, etc.
Shoutouts to the beautiful double decked carousel. You honestly brighten up all my photos and make them glamorous! Also, sea lions in their semi-​natural habitat, pretty awesome. I’m saying semi-​natural because clearly the wooden boards are built for them to use.
YAY Pier 39. Not a place for me to buy stuff, but definitely a pretty place to look at!

Ok, Pier 39 is super-​touristy, but it’s still a fun place to check out! Lined with so many shops and restaurants, just walking through the storefronts is an experience on its own. Sure, most stuff here are overpriced but hey, it is free to eye them! No matter what you do though, don’t forget to check out the sea lion at the pier end that is filled with their barking. If you do not intend to eat here, you should be able to see the entirely within an hour. Definitely worth a quick visit if you are in the San Francisco area!
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PARKING: Pier 39 parking can be expensive and problematic. The most convenient parking is the garage, but without restaurant validation, the hourly rate can get ridiculous. For a quick visit, your best bet on cheap parking is a block away on North Point Street — Check your options first there too, because one block difference on North Point can be a $ 2 hourly rate difference as well! Rates are also especially cheaper before 11 AM.

Great fun place for families, couples, or an individual, there are all kinds of attractions and things to do. If you are going on the weekend it can get busy even during the winter time so prepare for lots of people. It is not as busy during the week except during high travel time (Christmas, summer, etc.) Pier 39 is an extension of Fishermans Wharf which is just a short walk away.
It is a large area with a little something for everyone. They have street performers mostly on the weekends, many places to eat, a carousel, shops, and some spots to take wonderful pictures of the bay, Alcatraz, and sail boats. There is a visitor center and if you check in on Unilocal you get a free coupon book for the Pier 39 and it includes discounts on parking, food, attractions, and shops.
Follow the signs for the sea lions, they are around year round. There is also a sea lion center where you can find out some interesting facts about this interesting animal. There are some food spots where they do not have seating, you can take just a short walk to the benches by the water and enjoy the view while you eat (it is also cheaper). One of the things that I love about Pier 39 is you don’t have to spend much money to enjoy yourself, there are several free things that you can do making it a budget friendly attraction.
The Embarcadero is a nice stretch to walk down, start out at the Ferry Building and walk your way down to Pier 39 then Fishermans Wharf it is a great way to spend a day in San Francisco on a budget and you have nice views of the Bay, sail boats, and you see a little of the outskirts of the city.

O Píer 39 é o mais famoso e acho que é o maior de todos. Tem muitas lojas, restaurantes e atrações. A principal atração são os leões marinhos, que ficam pertinho do pier, descansando na maior moleza.
Foi o primeiro ponto turístico que eu visitei aqui em São Francisco, porque é um lugar muito fácil de chegar. Da estação Powell pra lá tem o ônibus «F», que faz um caminho bem legal, passando pela Market St. até o Píer.
É um ótimo lugar pra um passeio, melhor ainda em um dia de Sol. Tem ótimas lojas de suvenires e até que achei os preços bem justos.
Pra comer, também tem opções que não são tão caras. Os restaurantes de frutos do mar são mais caros que os outros.
Tem bons lugares pra tirar fotos. De lá, dá pra ver Alcatraz e a Golden Gate, bem de longe.
Saindo do Pier 39, vale a pena visitar os outros Piers e, quem sabe, fazer um passeio de barco pela baía!

Every city needs a tourist trap like this. How else is San Francisco going to survive? We need that cash. We are in a money drought. We need it to rain that dollar bill.
Mayor Ed Lee is going to take that money and build more hills in this city. We need more hills. We aren’t going to stop until every car in this city has to park 90 degrees on the street against the curb. We are going to build so many hills in the next few decades. Your Über ride is gonna feel like Roller Coaster Tycoon. So many hills.
We need Pier 39, guys. City natives, we need to learn to love this stop like the tourists do. We need the Japanese, Chinese, German, African, Dutch, Russian, Brazilian and people from all nations to spend their money here. Throw your coins at the birds, it doesn’t matter. We will send divers into the bay to collect that money. Don’t you get it? Pier 39 is the reason we are considered one of the best cities in the milky way. Pier 39 is an economic keystone. If you don’t understand that then pack your bags, grab your wand and move to Fargo.
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No… just no. So very overpriced. So very much of the same over and over again. One exception: Shell Cellar. Crab House is good — but expensive so just be aware of that. Other than those places, you’ll not see me step foot here again for another 20 years. Let’s see if it changes LOL

For locals or tourists, it’s a fun place to spend some time. Groupon’s make some of the entertainment and dinning a little more affordable.
Across from Pier 39 or walking distance away, you’ll find some old time staple tourist attractions and some new ones, too. Ripley’s, the Wax Museum, and my new favorite, The San Francisco Dungeon. But that’s not Pier 39.
P39 has The 7D Experience! OMG that attraction is so much fun! The house of mirrors is a good 5 minutes of laughs. When we go to a coffee shop we just get straight coffee (less expensive) and load up on the condiments offered to sweeten or creamy it up. The food is expensive, but again, Groupon’s can make it easier on the wallet.
The aquarium is fun. And there’s live entertainment too.
I wouldn’t say it’s a Must Do, but if you’re looking for something to do, it’s a fun place. We’ve found parking in the garage across the street to be expensive, but you can get validation at a couple of places.

Pier 39 is a really nice place to visit if you go down to the Embarcadero. There are a lot of things in a small area so you don’t have to walk a long way. In addition to the Sea Lions, there are shops and restaurants. There is a Hard Rock Café as well as a wonderful Mrs. Fields Cookie Store. It is a very easy and safe place to get around.

Since my youngest was more aware of everything happening and surrounding at 1 years old and super active we decided to explore SF more. I was an absolute tourist on my last visit to SF with the babies, cousin and BFFs as my visit prior we were just foodies and shopaholics. LOL. This place was suggested by my cousin which was awesome! My kids loved it! Pier 39 is where the sea lions sun bathe and we can all watch tons of them while on the pier. On the 2^nd floor there was also a sea lion educational center. Kudos for learning and answering the children’s curiosity about the cute sea animal everyone is crowding to see.
The pier also have many eateries and stores. One of my favorite discoveries was Global Candles where they make and carve the candles right in front of you! There’s also a Merry go round, a scenic boat tour and a mirrored maze! We were there much longer than we should but absolutely enjoyed it as there was so many things to look at and eat.
There was a Unilocal check in offer but when I went to customer service they knew nothing about it. Luckily I had my AAA card and was still able to get a coupon book for the stores and eateries on and around the pier (^_​^) If you’re a local this probably won’t be much fun but if you haven’t visited yet drop by!

We were already in the Embarcadero walking around so walked through Pier 39 because we were being tourists. There is the typical pier fare with carnival games, souvenirs, and restaurants. We went to the 7D Experience because we had a free ticket. We rode the bus here so we didn’t pay the $ 20 per 2 – 4 hours but I can’t imagine that paying for parking is ever pleasant in San Francisco. The sea lions were out in full force, sunning themselves. Go for the sea lions, everything else is really not worth seeing.

Spent a great deal of my teenage years down the streets of pier 39. Probably one of the most to go tourist attractions spots after the Golden Gate Bridge but simply a spot that’s pretty much a given to visit.
The pier 39 itself is is a bunch of souvenir shops, restaurants and an arcade. There are places to sight watch such as the view of the Alcatraz Islands and unique spot to see seals/​Sea lions. As a SF residence… the souvenir shops are pretty much unimportant to me but i do appreciate the small local restaurants and food areas.
Personally would recommend the seafood here and following activities…
— The Crab booths lined up in a row: Fresh crab and chowder. (usually would not get Boudin’s because it’s located everywhere)
— Spray can painters that put on a show with their stunning art (Located at various times on the street)
— Street Stunt Performers… Again varies time when they come out
— Christmas time… which is coming up, pier 39 christmas tree and Decorations
— Gherridehlli square factory for ice cream within walking distance
— Dinner by the water at various restaurants available (My most recent was fisherman’s grotto)
Downside…
— Crowded and full of people…
— expensive everything… be prepared to be bankrupt especially if you’re a tourist
— Dirty and smelly because of the fish markets/​booths
— Limited parking of course…
— Same stuff, different day if you’re a SF resident.
Place was made especially for tourists but as a SF resident… i do appreciate its existence!

It’s a tourist trap full of mediocre places to eat and drink. The best thing about this place is the Sea Lion park :-)) it’s quite a big complex with lots of choices around the pier.
It’s busy and tons of people here during the day. As a tourist you will probably end up here and, end up eating or drinking here :-)
There is a money exchange here that is a total rip off but if you are desperate for cash you can exchange here.

Review #100! Or One Hunnit if you’re talking slag and wanna sound like a «G» Man this review is a long overdue one. But now is better than later. Let’s get to talking about Pier 39 a little bit shall we…
Pier 39 is right off the Embarcadero, it’s not the last of the piers which starts at the Port of San Francisco and goes on down. But out of the piers, «39» is like the main attraction and the excitement grows as you inch closer and closer on your journey down the piers. Pier 39 is a hotspot for tourists and even your adverage Californian alike. It’s been very rare I’ve found myself here and it’s not had a crowd of people partaking in the many little fun things you can do here.
It’s full of many little nice shops where you can purchase souvenirs and trinkets to take back to your homestate «if you’re from out of town or country» and they have a nice food selection for those foodies out there. Be it a famous Chowder Bowl from Boudin, or some select dish from the Hard Rock Café. Or kicking it with Mr Gump eating some of Bubbas famous «Shrimp» at Bubba Gumps. This place has got it all.
The place has something for everyone. The arcade here is pretty cool, parents can give their kids some tokens and let them have at it while they visit either the sports bar or tiki bar attached. Almost like having a Dave and Busters on a smaller scale close to you. Plus for parents you aren’t far from your children.
In closing, Pier 39 is an experience. And to be honest doesn’t end just there. Somewhere the whole family can enjoy. Be it you’re a local or out of towner. Stop by, stay close to one another and have a great time here and Unilocal your experience!

Pier 39 is great! It is a pretty well known tourists destination in San Fransisco that is almost always crowded. We liked to come here a lot when our dog was a puppy because the crowds were perfect for socializing here and most of the restaurants have pet friendly patios!
Without our fur child, we have spent entire days at pier 39! There is so much to do! Food, drinks, arcades and shops galore! I am absolutely in LOVE with the bath salt stand! I get a new bag of bath salt every time because it is the freshest, made from the one and only San Francisco bay!
Bring a sweater! If you’re coming from Sacramento and its 110 degrees outside and you think you’ll be okay, trust me– its always cold on pier 39!
Ice Cream on pier 39 is also a must! There’s something about being cold ^ and eating ice-​cream that is incredible.
Parking around here costs an arm and a leg but thats to be expected.
I love making the trip to pier 39, it’s once of my favorite spots in SF!

As far as tourist attractions go, this one has a few redeeming qualities, but it is crowded and expensive.
Came here to meet up with a friend from Omaha, which was a highlight.
The views are great, particularly at sunset.
We stopped at several places I’ll review separately, but here are the highlights:
7D Experience — 4 Stars
Chocolate Heaven — 4 Stars
Fog Harbor Restaurant — 3 Stars
Wines of California — 3 Stars
Musee Mecanique (Pier 45) — 5 Stars

Busy place but worth the stop.
Pier 39 has just about everything for a tourist. There are a ton of dining choices, shops and a brilliant view. There is also a double decker carousel about half way down.
When you walk to the west side of the pier, there sits a sea lion haven of docks. While we were there only about 3 of the floating docks had sea lions covering them. But it’s still a sight to see. They are more than happy to pose for a picture!
At the end of the pier lies a perfect view of Alcatraz Island. On a sunny day it really is gorgeous.
Tourist trap? Yes. Would I go again? Absolutely.

Must visit when in the City!
Nice place to visit no matter where you’re from on the globe. I’m only two hours away from San Francisco but I always enjoy coming here. Never gets old. It’s usually always crowded but there are times when Pier 39 really gets super crowded like during Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 7^th when we decided to visit. It was a home game (Warriors vs Cavs) and San Francisco must have been filled with Cavaliers fans the day before the home game. Super crowded! There are lots of entertainment and food spots as well as souvenir shops. Many street performers too. Believe it or not, there are world-​famous San Francisco Street Performers that perform here live and they can be found entertaining the crowd at the Bay End of Pier 39.
Been here a few times just to break away from the summer heat in the Valley. Watched the sea lions, dined a few times at the Pier Market Seafood Restaurant and if you do decide to have lunch (or dinner) here you must try their award-​winning clam chowder! They do have indoor and outdoor seating (
). We’ve tried the 7D Experience and killed a few zombies by laser guns (
) in their DarkRide attraction. Lots of gift shops from a magnet store to speciality gift shops such as the Alcatraz Gift Shop and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Gift Shop… because life is like a box of chocolates in this Forrest Gump-​themed gift store :)
Before heading out there to San Francisco check out the Pier 39 website and print your coupon of Savings Fun Pack to redeem at the California Welcome Center. They are open from 9:00a to 7:00p everyday (except for major Holidays, I’m assuming). It’s FREE and has discounts to many of the shops, restaurants and attractions at Pier 39, and two hours of free parking in the Pier 39 Parking Garage.
I still have yet to visit the Aquarium of the Bay. I wonder if it is as big as Monterey Bay Aquarium. Just a few minutes walk to Pier 45 you can also tour a part of history, the USS Pampanito (
). Anyway, make Pier 39 a must on your list of your things to do in San Francisco. It is a tourist hot spot so bring enough money to accommodate dining and activities you plan to do for the day. There are ATM machines provided here as well. We enjoy playing tourists here sometimes. San Francisco Pier 39 is just a place like no other :)

I love being a tourist even if it means fighting crowds.
Pier 39 is a must tourist spot in SF. I mean, it’s FREE to walk around, see the shops (mostly eateries), take a selfie with the Alcatraz and the Golden Gate in the background, hear the seals make funny noises…
There’s lots of places where you can get clam chowder, and just sweets in general
Many parking lots validate with restaurant purchase.
Enjoy!

Willkommen im Disney Land. Die bunten Geschäfte hier sind die selben wie in NY am Times Square, auf dem Las Vegas Strip usw usw .! Wer mit mehreren Kindern hier ist, weiß was es heißt zu leiden !!!

Para as pessoas que gostam de muita gente juntas esse é o lugar !!! Point … Curto bastante.

Zone très touristique avec ses fameuses otaries sur le côté, on y trouve beaucoup de magasins de souvenir vendant magnet, sweat aux couleurs de la ville et pas mal de restos dont un Boudin, Bubba Gump, des magasins plus originaux comme un très grand de bonbons dans des tonneaux, un magasin spécial pour les gauchers (clin d’oeil à Flanders :-)
Lieu sympa pour se promener même si il y a beaucoup de monde.
Bön point toilettes gratuites à plusieurs endroits.

J’adooooooore les otaries alors je peux définitivement pas être objective sur le Pier 39. On en voit plein faire le show près du ponton (enfin oui, elles sont surtout les unes sur les autres ces coquines). Mais j’adooooooore!
Après le Pier 39 en soit y a pas de quoi en faire tout un pataquès: une grande allée, des magasins de tshirts, magnets, tout autres souvenirs des US que voudriez ramener. On y jouit aussi d’une super vue sur Alcatraz.
Quelques restos quand même ont le Crab house et le Bubba Gump, qui né sont pas siiii attrape touristes que ça (en tout cas pour le Crab House). Moi je trouve que ça vaut sa petite balade mais sans trop s’y attarder -, y a une fête foraine permanente qui rameute trop d’enf… Euh … De gens :).

Le Pier 39 est une allée piétonne commerçante, située sur un des pontons qui hérissent le front de mer de SF depuis le Ferry Building jusqu’à la Marina, desservis par la ligne F de tramway et ses rames historiques. Autant le dire tout de suite, oubliez toute authenticité des pêcheurs qui ont dû un jour travailler dans le coin, il y règne au Pier 39 une atmosphère assumée de fête foraine, avec son double alignement de boutiques de souvenirs en toc, de restaurants à touristes, de stands de fast-​food et de sucreries… jusqu’au manège au bout du pier.
Et pourtant, une fois passé le choc de l’overdose commerciale, tout n’est pas à jeter :
— quelques fast-​food de fruits de mer se révèlent être pas mal, comme Chowders ou Hook & Cook, plus pratiques et au rapport qualité-​prix sans doute bien supérieur aux restaurants voisins (et si je veux faire un bon diner au restaurant à SF, ce n’est pas au Pier 39 que j’irai !) ;
— il y a des toilettes gratuites et bien entretenues aux 2 extrémités ;
— et c’est la base d’une attraction marrante (et gratuite !) de la ville, j’ai nommé les célèbres otaries de SF, que vous entendrez beugler de loin et qui se prélassent mollement (vraiment très mollement) au bout du ponton: on voit les bestiaux de près (évitez peut-​être quand même les jours et heures les plus touristiques car il peut y avoir affluence), le spectacle est sympathique pour les enfants comme pour les adultes !

Esto no te lo puedes perder… es una de las partes mas divertidas de San Francisco. Tiendas, restaurantes, comida rapida… hay de todo!
Puedes perder varias horas haciendo el recorrido al pararte en todas las tiendas, merece la pena darse una vuelta.
Los leones marinos andan alli tomando el sol y es divertido contemplarlos, ademas hay varias personas que se encargan de cuidarlos y de explicarte porque llegaron alli y como se relacionan.
Lo recomiendo