 | San Francisco Pier 39 Reviews | 1 - 10 of 146 |  |
Our favorite thing about Fisherman's Wharf were the sea lions that inhabit Pier 39. Hidden on the left side of Pier 39's shopping mall are hundreds of sea lions sun. An Alcatraz tour worker told us that these sea lions apeared here after the 1906 earthquake, relocating from the other side of the bay. I don't know if this is true or not???
These locals have taken over a marina that held boats and are an incredible natural attraction. Many people crowd around to see the sea lions, but many others never even realize they are there because they are well hidden on the left hand side of the pier.
When you visit the wharf, don't miss the sea lions! Leave a Comment
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Do I repeat myself here?? Go see the sea lions! They are an absolut blast, extremely funny, and you can see them up close. They are a little noisy and smelly, but that's part of the whole experience. The city of San Francisco left a dozen of floating wood platforms for California sea lions to rest on. Everybody is happy, the sea lions because they have a place to stay, the boaters of the surrounding Marina as the sea lions do not invade their docks!
Do not miss my sea lion travelogue!
If you want to know more about pinnipeds, such as the difference between a sea lion and a seal, go to http://www.pinnipeds.org/species/species.htm.
And if you cannot make it to San Francisco anytime soon, but cannot wait to see them, go to a webcam of the sea lions (I discovered that on VT Member Sims1 San Francisco page)!
Besides the sea lions, Pier 39 is a mega tourist trap, full of souvenir shops and too expensive restaurants (you pay for the view)! Leave a Comment Phone: (415) 705-5500Directions: Northern end of the San Francisco peninsula, East of Fort MasonWebsite: http://www.pier39.com
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Heralded as the city’s number one attraction, Pier 39 is an amalgam of tourist attractions ranging from a top flight Aquarium, assorted shops and restaurants, and the ferry terminal to outlying areas like Marin County and Alcatraz. But mostly what it’s famous for is its loud pod of sea lions that call the floating docks off the pier home. Tourists clamor for the best shots and though touristy, it’s hard not to get sucked right in. Leave a Comment
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Pier 39 is close to Fishermans Wharf and the place where most ferries and boattrips start (Pier 41).
Pier 39 is the spot where you can find hundreds of sea lions who made this place their "home". It's great wildlife watching, but quite noisy and smelly. Leave a Comment
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The Pier 39. Another place not to be missed during your visit to this fabulous town.
Piers that become markets. How many times I encountered this, especially in England and here in the United States. Nothing original, then, but still pleasant to visit and maybe have a quality dinner as we did that night. Can't remember what we have eaten, but I enjoyed it, still remembering the filthy Korean in Monterey. Leave a Comment
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Is it a tourist attraction, must see activity or Tourist trap? Not sure.
I guess you have to go and decide by yourself.
The main thing to do while there is to see the Sea Lions and them walk along the shopping area.
For many can be boring as it is all restaurants and shops, but the restoration that was done there is great. I did some sepia photos of here and it looks like half century ago.
Well done! (in marketing terms) to the brain behind this project!
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If you're looking to buy knick-knacks from SF, look no further than Pier 39. It's right near Fishermans Wharf on the Embarcadero, and has shops for almost every taste: souveniers, sports clothing (an NFL shop), even a small Irish store. There's seafood restaurants aplenty (beware-they can be a bit expensive), access to the Aquarium...and don't forget the sea lions-they're barking for attention!
Ferries to Alacatraz and other places are just up the block at Pier 41.
Like Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 is quite touristy and can be crowded on the weekend. If that's your kind of thing, you'll love it. If not, you'll probably not want to spend much time there. Leave a Comment
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Pier 39 has a number of quality stores targeted at San Francisco tourists (maybe I should Include this in my tourist trap tips hehe). A variety of gifts, gourmet foods, and handmade items can be purchased at the Pier 39 mall. PIER 39's location provides the picture perfect backdrop for postcard views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz, Angel Island on San Francisco Bay and the City skyline. It is a festival marketplace featuring 110 specialty shops and 13 full-service Bay view restaurants serving fresh seafood, California cuisine, and casual fare.
Ride the carousel or watch the sea lions. There are more than 25 one-of-a-kind gift stores that carry automobile, Hollywood, and rock 'n' roll memorabilia, as well as flags of the world, Russian dolls, collectible knives, hammocks, kites, and more. But tha is not all. You will find more than 30 more stores, including the famous Na Hoku to shop for clothing, jewelry and toys. It is a great place to pick up high-end San Francisco souvenirs (really thinking of putting this as a tourist trap).
I have a different tip for the Famed Pier 39 Sea Lions, pls see it!
Hours: Open daily, shop hours vary
Cost: No admission fee Phone: (415) 705-5500Directions: "F" trolley from Market Street, or on the Powell-Mason cable car,Website: http://www.pier39.com/home.cfm Other Contact: Fax:(415) 981- 8808
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What is amazing to me is the popularity of Pier 39. It's the third most visited attraction in the US and the number-one tourist spot in San Francisco, welcoming 11 million visitors per year.
PIER 39 is a multilevel waterfront complex a few blocks east of Fisherman's Wharf. Constructed on an abandoned cargo pier, it’s a neo-recreation of a turn-of-the-20th-century street scene, but don't expect a slice of old-time maritime life. It has more than 100 stores, 11 bay-view restaurants, a two-tiered Venetian carousel, a Hard Rock Cafe, and arcade and aquarium entertainment for the kids.
It also has several attractions that are unique to its Fisherman's Wharf location. The famous sea lion colony that has taken up residence on the abandoned docks next door are themselves worth a special trip. Hear them honk, snort and slap their enormous bodies around; watch them cavort with their buddies.
You can see the sea lions for free (pier entrance doesn't cost a penny), but it's advisable to bring along plenty of cash for the other attractions as everything's slated toward helping you part with your travel dollars. To residents, that pretty much wraps up PIER 39 -- an expensive spot where out-of-towners go to waste money on worthless souvenirs and greasy fast food. It's the place that locals love to hate. If you want to get to know the real San Francisco, skip the cheesy T-shirt shops and limit your time here to one afternoon.
That said, I always bring new visitors here as it does have a few perks: absolutely beautiful natural surroundings of bay views, fresh sea air, and hundreds of sunbathing sea lions lounging along its neighboring dock. My wife never seems to tire of the place and first timers always seem enjoy it.
And everything's slated toward helping you part with your travel dollars. It's the place that locals love to hate. That said, it does have a few perks: absolutely beautiful natural surroundings of bay views, fresh sea air, and hundreds of sunbathing sea lions lounging along its neighboring dock. Leave a Comment
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It's great - almost a carnival atmostphere. There's many shops and restaurants. I ate at The Sea Lion Café where you can enjoy a wonderful meal and if you choose to sit at the windows in the South side of the restaurant, you can watch these sea Lions hang out in the pier BUT if you sit in back of the restaurant, you get a great view of Alcatraz. I guess that serves as a gentle reminder of what can happen if you try to dine-and-ditch. Leave a Comment
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Destinations near San Francisco- Alcatraz Island, 5.74 km / 3.57 miles
- Daly City, 8.55 km / 5.31 miles
- Angel Island State Park, 9.96 km / 6.19 miles
- Brisbane, 10.61 km / 6.59 miles
- Sausalito, 10.99 km / 6.83 miles
- Tiburon, 11.43 km / 7.11 miles
- Colma, 11.46 km / 7.12 miles
- Emeryville, 13.34 km / 8.29 miles
- South San Francisco, 13.41 km / 8.33 miles
- Oakland, 13.45 km / 8.36 miles
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