Pier 39 San Francisco, hotels near Fishermans Wharf, seals (actually sea lions), Ghiradelli Square - all of these are a recipe for great fun!
The best of the pier can be found on this page. It is one of the most fun San Francisco attractions and here is some great information from one of the great San Francisco guides - myself! (If I can be so bold! - but I AM much better than those other travel sites that just copy and paste info!)
One of my personal favorite San Francisco things to do is to visit Pier 39 San Francisco. Locals say it’s tacky and a big tourist trap but I have been coming here for years and I still love to come. Don't forget to check out the San Francisco carousel Pier 39 too!
Pier 39 Aquarium
The Aquarium San Francisco is found at Pier 39. It features some great exhibits about all the creatures that are in the San Francisco Bay.
It is open 364 days a year and has three new exhibits: jellies, octopuses and land animals. Go see the Sevengill Sharks and the Giant Pacific Octopus.
The Aquarium San Francisco is not in the same ballpark as The Monterey Bay Aquarium but if you are short on time it is convenient and fun to do.
San Francisco U.S.A. T-Shirt Shop
There are 110 specialty shops at Pier 39 San Francisco. Here are a few below:
Chocolate Heaven
– I can’t walk past without buying a dark chocolate caramel turtle. Dieters run fast!
Rodney Lough Jr.
– Wilderness Collections Gallery – this is my favorite shop in all of Pier 39. Rodney Lough is an incredible photographer – right up there with Ansel Adams – and I feel such peace and calm when I visit his gallery.
Lefty’s
- this store has gadgets and gizmos for left-handed people like me.
San Francisco U.S.A.
– good place to buy reasonably priced tshirts and sweatshirts – in case you forgot yours.
Na Hoku
Hawaiian jewelers with some pretty great pieces.
Pier 39 San Francisco Restaurants
Most Pier 39 San Francisco restaurants would not be found in a San Francisco Restaurant Review. They are OK but you won’t find any of those world renowned restaurants that San Francisco is famous for here.
Here are some of your choices:
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Crab House at Pier 39
Hard Rock Café
Neptune’s Palace Seafood Restaurant
and more
Sea Lions
The sea lions at Pier 39 are world famous. At any time of the year there are at least 50-100 people watching them play “King of the Hill.” They are quite entertaining and located at the back of Pier 39 on the west side.
If you have kids in your party they will love them.
Hotel Information for Pier 39 San Francisco
The Argonaut Hotel San Francisco is one of the hotels near the pier and is about a 10 minute walk away. It is also located close to Fishermans Wharf and Ghiradelli Square.
Pier 39 Information
The Pier is open 364 days a year. Their operating hours change seasonally and also depend on what day of the week it is. They are open later on the weekends.
Pier 39 Directions
From the South Bay
Take Highway 101 North to Highway 80 East Exit at 4th Street Stay left onto Bryant Street (get in right lane) Stay on Bryant Street to The Embarcadero Turn left onto The Embarcadero (get into right lane) Straight to Pier 39 (2 ½ miles)
From The North Bay
Take Highway 101 South across the Golden Gate Bridge Pass through the Toll Plaza and stay to your left Take Lombard Street Exist (on right side) Follow Lombard Street to Van Ness Avenue Take a left onto Van Ness Avenue (stay right) Follow Van Ness Avenue to Bay Street (about 3 blocks) Stay on Bay Street until it runs into The Embarcadero Turn left on The Embarcadero You will see Pier 39 on right side of the street
From The East Bay
Take Interstate 80 West across the Bay Bridge Take Fremont Exist (on right side) Stay in far right lane Turn left on Folsom Street Follow Folsom to The Embarcadero Turn left onto The EmbarcaderoStraight to Pier 39 (approx. 2 miles)
Pier 39 Transportation
There is a Pier 39 parking garage that is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week but it is very expensive.
If you would like to take one of the San Francisco taxis they are at the front of Pier 39 along The Embarcadero.
So consider Pier 39 San Francisco because it's walking distance from Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, has great seals and sea lions, it's home of the Crab House and it sits on a wharf and a pier. How could you possibly go wrong?
