The Shell Cellar

What a great place, they were so welcoming to my son and I! I thought they may hesitate to welcome a 3 year old in the store, with all the shells… but they didn’t mind. VERY FAMAILY FRIENDLY, VERY HELPFUL STAFF (SHET ANSWER EVERG QUESTION)
WE enjoyed looking at and touching all of the amazing shell options. I’ve never seen more shells anywhere, so magical and affordable! My son loved it, there was such a variety that he couldn’t pick a favorite! THEY have all sizes and shapes imagineable. So we got him a shell variety where he was able to fill a heart jar with beautiful shells for only $ 5! He loves it and it was special for him to pick his own shells and fill his jar.
We had fun exploring all the shells and colors and different options! I’ll be back here definitely, they even have shark teeth and star fish! It is whimsical and magical and a. must see on the pier!!!

People dog the shops on the pier as being tacky and hokey, but what do you expect? Its a tourist trap. If none of these shops have what youre looking for, walk out, duh. That being said, this shop is adorable. Its reminicent of a shop i work at back home selling similar products for less then we do, even after my employee discount. It has really beachy home décor items and i cant wait to go back. The staff there is helpful despite the fact that they see hoards of tourist messing up their shit. I loved it, if you want to complain about over priced items come to my neck of the woods.

I was ready to spend $ 200-​$ 250 but they couldn’t give me even a 10% discount. So I just spent $ 6.00 and went to another shell/​souvenir shop on Taylor at Fisherman’s wharf to get exactly what I wanted. Some of their shells were priced right, but the shells in the glass cases were $ 20-​$ 30 overpriced. I was looking to buy 4 – 5 large pearl Nautilus shells, but could not at those high prices. The staff members were very helpful and made some fantastic less expensive/​large shell suggestions… Its a fun store and has a wide variety but, Come on! I’m a local… Sheesh, give me a break!!!

Like it on FB and they will give you a free shell.
Walking into this store, you will feel like you are under the sea. There are so many pretty shells and shell arts. The price is reasonable as well. The worker was very friendly too.
It’s such a unique store that is so different from other souvenir stores and chocolate stores on the street.
My must visit if I am at Pier 39.

Of all the hokey shops on Pier 39, this one actually has potential. So many craft projects you could do with all these shell options. And the pricing isn’t horrific. Yes, definitely marked up, but the sheer quantity of variety all in one place makes it a great option. And of course they have already crafted items for you… mirrors and hanging shells and jewelry and so, so many other things. I truly would not go into one single other shop at Pier 39 again — except this one.

The staff was friendly enough, it’s a tourist shop so of course that’s good. BUT even though the total on my receipt says $ 5.48 they charged $ 10 to my credit card! I’m going to call my card company and fight this total scam. They don’t do refunds but I doubt they would refund the full charge anyway.

Talk about selection! The ladies working the register were super knowledgable and did a great job packing our purchase so it would survive the plane ride home. All round good experience at the shell cellar. Highly recommend stopping by and checking it out.

This is my favorite gift shop at Pier 39. I just wish it was larger! The employee who’s initials are JDF was very nice and friendliness means a LOT to me. They have nice nautical-​themed items. They have jewlery styles I’ve never seen anywhere before, such as some shell earrings I bought.
It’s a more upscale and not the cheesey, borderline tacky type gift shops that are plentiful in the area.

Came in here earlier today with my friend just to browse. The store is full of beautiful shells and cute souvenirs! My favorite gifts in yhe whole store were the mer-​man ornaments! I’m so serious! Our experience was awesome because we were greeted and helped by both Aoibhin and Susan! They’re both lovely women! Thank you so much for answering our questions and assisting us! You both are the best!

A gorgeous selection of shells on the Fisherman’s Wharf, with great service, the Shell Cellar was a real treat!
We were there during the holidays and they had all kinds of fun holiday ornaments. I wanted a hot mermaid ornament dressed in a Mrs. Claus outfit but she was $ 55! Ouch!
My BFF bought me a pair of starfish earrings. I bought myself a starfish ring.
The shop is small so there was just the one clerk working. He was friendly, offered to help and was great getting jewelry out for us to look at and happy to answer questions.
Things are overpriced which is why it gets 4 stars.

After years of visiting Pier 39 through lenses of a Bay Area resident, I often overlook many of the shops. I mistakenly took The Shell Cellar for a chintzy trinket shop with a nautical theme. I found out this past weekend, that I was sorely mistaken! Once you get past the obvious souvenir type wares at the entrance, the shop offers an amazing array of shells, air plants and other nautical themed decorative items. The quality and prices were quite pleasing and I had so much fun exploring all their baskets of shells in all shapes, sizes and colors. I ended up purchasing a medium size conch shell and two other smaller pieces that will make great accent pieces on a shelf where I keep some other ocean inspired décor.
Great stop for gifts, home accent items and for unique souvenirs if you’re visiting the area. I plan on stopping in each time I’m nearby and continue to add to my collection.

I’ve been stopping in this store for as long as I can remember. I remember visiting this store as a little girl and my parents would buy my a shell with an airplant whenever we visited. Now I take my son in here each time we visit Pier 39. It’s a great place to explore with little ones (just tell them to not touch). Today my son and I spent more time looking at their case with unique or perfect shells, and it’s a good place to spot shells that you may have never seen before. Even if you just intend to window-​shop, stop by and enjoy this place. They have all types of things, from cute shell creations (like the turtles with bobbing heads) to some neat night lights made out of shells.

What beautiful shells! I was impressed with the selection, even a puffer fish hanging from their ceiling! Some of the shells were tampered with so you can see the underlying feature. There is a chest full of a variety of shells so you can pick up a few for very little. Or you can get one that ‘s going to be a focal point where ever you put it.

Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE 2014−(244÷365) «Shell Central»
Cool items to see and look at here at The Shell Cellar. Located at Pier 39, this shop has great ideas for anyone who loves seashells and are looking to put an ocean/​beach vibe in their home.
There are many decorative pieces and ornaments to choose from, as well as loose seashells to create your own seascape, ocean inspired terrarium for starters the workers are also helpful and also offer ideas and suggestions for the thousands of loose shells they have.
I now have a few ideas on what I want to do with some of my urchin, abalone, oyster, and scallop shells that I have collected over a few visits at my favorite sushi joint. Thanks for the inspiration Shell Cellar! ALOHA!!!
Shaka Meter: \uuu/​\uuu/​\uuu/​\uuu/​4

This place has an amazing and beautiful collection of different types of shells! This is a good place to grab a beautiful gift at any price. You can also get a free shell if you like their Facebook page. Store employees are very friendly.

Ah yes, another tourist trap. Let’s face it, i’m a sucker for them.
Me and my brothers were out in Pier 39, and they had told me about this thing called the «Turbo Ride». We spent almost our entire night looking for it, when we finally just gave up, and started going home. But then, i decided that we go into this place before we leave. So, we all agreed and went in.
I couldn’t believe my eyes of how many seashells were here. I bought a few, and my 2 brothers bought a starfish and a clam shell. They made nice collectibles.
The people working here were pretty friendly. He seemed like he was enjoying his job.
Overall, this is an AMAZING tourist trap. It has a very large seashell selection, and all of them are pretty high quality. If you’re a sucker for souvenirs (like me), then this place is definitely for you.

It’s a beautiful shop, but the owner lectured me about paying by credit card. Merchants, like these, forget that customer service is most effective. How can you enjoy repeat business when you make a bad impression on potential customers? Oh well.

Conchologist — wow didn’t know there was a name for it! ha! I love seashells and this place has such a gorgeous collection of them! The pictures online don’t do the store justice. There’s also lots of small inexpensive painted shells as well. Then they have some racy male mermaid Christmas ornaments. lol

Whoa. FTR in San Francisco AND adding the business listing?!
Confession: I am a hobby conchologist. I love all manner of of seashells, but especially starfish and sand dollars. OK fine: any sea dwelling thing I can get my hands on. When I saw this store, I peaked. Leon shouted: «Do we eat these?» as I barreled past and started pawing the store’s wares.
This little shop on Pier 39 had literally thousands of natural marine mollusk shells, starfish, conch, marine, sea urchins, sand dollars, snail shells, horseshoe crabs, echinoderms and more. Some were left in their shiny or polished natural state, while others were dyed in funky colours. There were bins of shells that were ¹⁄₃ of an inch big and others that were a foot long.
I have to admit, Shelley**, the Seashell Seller™ at The Shell Cellar, seemed less than enthusiastic about her gig as she wrapped up my purchases. If I worked in this boutique I’d be dangerously excited about my inventory. I totally would.
**not her real name