Pier 39 is a widely popular tourist attraction and shopping center built upon a pier in the city of San Francisco, California. The popular pier supports numerous shops and eating establishments, a video arcade, the Marine Mammal Center, and the Aquarium of the Bay. The Pier also hosts many street performers and performances in addition to being the home of California sea lions that make their home upon Pier 39’s marina. One of the Pier’s most dominant features is the floating Forbes Island restaurant, which is a two-story carousel restaurant that is sits near the end of the pier and is not directly visible from the street. Due to the presence of marine mammals, the pier is a popular tourist destination for families with kids.
Pier 39 is located close to Chinatown, North Beach, and Embarcadero and at the edge of the Fisherman’s Wharf district. This area can be reached by way of the historic F Market streetcars. On the pier, visitors can see Angel Island, Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, and the famed former prison, Alcatraz.
The first time Pier 39 opened was on Oct, 4th 1978 after being developed by entrepreneur Warren Simmons.
Fog Harbor Fish House
Fisherman’s Wharf is well known for its seafood. The Fog Harbor Fish House serves up many classic waterfront favorites like oysters and cioppino, though it does have an extensive list of foods that are not considered classic seafood fare. The seafood used at Fog Harbor Fish House is not only locally sourced; the menu is entirely built upon sustainable seafood. It is worthy to note, all meals come with a complimentary views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Spend Time Under the Golden Gate Bridge
A must see for any visitors to the San Francisco area, the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight unlike any other, providing fantastic views of the San Francisco Bay. Taking a cruise with the Blue & Gold Fleet’s Bay Cruise will take you directly under the bridge, providing the guests with some amazing photo opportunities, with Alcatraz, the Bay Lights, and the city Skyline as potential backdrops.
San Francisco is a home for many wild animal species, including the parrots of Telegraph Hill, the Golden Gate Park Buffalo, and the large crowd of sea lions who make their home upon Pier 39’s K-Dock. The wild sea lions have made their home on the Pier since 1990, after arriving in large droves after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. There is even a sea lion webcam that allows people to virtually view them from the comfort of their own home.