Things to do nearPIER 39
PIER 39 is a beloved San Francisco, California landmark where the bay, the city's famous sea lions, and fresh seafood come together along the Embarcadero.
PIER 39 opened in 1978 on a section of the San Francisco waterfront that had served commercial fishing and maritime trade for much of the twentieth century. The pier was reimagined as a two-level marketplace, and it has since grown into one of the most visited destinations in California, drawing millions of people each year to its collection of shops, restaurants, and open-air attractions.
The most celebrated residents arrived on their own terms: in 1990, shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake, a large colony of California sea lions took up residence on the floating docks at K-Dock, and they have remained ever since, lounging, barking, and occasionally jostling for position in full view of visitors. The Marine Mammal Center maintains an interpretive area nearby where rangers share information about the animals and their behavior.
Beyond the sea lions, PIER 39 offers sweeping panoramic views of the bay, with Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, and the Marin Headlands all visible on a clear day. The two-story Aquarium of the Bay sits at the entrance and features walk-through tunnels surrounded by local marine life native to San Francisco Bay. Dining options lean heavily on the region's seafood traditions, with Dungeness crab, fresh oysters, and cioppino all available at restaurants that face directly onto the water.
Street performers regularly occupy the outdoor plazas, and the overall atmosphere is animated but unhurried, shaped by the rhythms of the tides and the bay light shifting through the afternoon. PIER 39 rewards visitors who take the time to slow down and absorb the particular character of San Francisco's working waterfront heritage.
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Tips for visiting PIER 39
Visit during the morning hours when the sea lion colony at K-Dock is most active and the crowds along the waterfront are noticeably thinner.
Try a cup of clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl from one of the waterfront vendors, a classic San Francisco combination that traces its roots to the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood.
Bring a warm layer regardless of the season, as the bay wind can make temperatures feel significantly cooler than the city inland.
Take the short walk west along the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf to see the working fishing docks and browse the seafood stalls for Dungeness crab when it is in season.
Arrive at dusk on a clear evening for unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge lit by the setting sun, one of the quieter pleasures the pier offers once daytime crowds begin to thin.
Top tours & experiences near PIER 39
1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Catamaran Sail
Sail past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate on a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise
Private Custom Wine Tour to Napa & Sonoma
Build your own Napa and Sonoma wine day with a private guide and van
Muir Woods, Sausalito & San Francisco Day Tour
Pair San Francisco’s neighborhood discoveries with a walk among redwoods
San Francisco Movie Locations Bus Tour with Film Clips
See San Francisco film locations with movie clips on board in 3 hours
San Francisco Small-Group Guided Highlights Tour
See San Francisco landmarks and neighborhoods on a flexible, guide-led van tour
Explore Yosemite National Park on a 14-Hour Tour
See Yosemite Valley highlights with a small-group day trip from San Francisco
San Francisco Guided E-Bike Tour to Golden Gate Bridge
E-bike through San Francisco with a local guide and bridge views
Ride an Electric Bike Across Golden Gate Bridge
E-bike from Fisherman’s Wharf to Sausalito with a guided Golden Gate Bridge crossing
Private Sailing Yacht Charter from Pier 39 San Francisco
Make the bay your backdrop for a private celebration
5-Hour Electric Moped Rental in San Francisco
Chart your own San Francisco route on an electric moped
Ride a 1-Day San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Choose a Fisherman’s Wharf discount: bay cruise, hop-on hop-off bus, or Aquarium of the Bay
Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Sausalito & San Francisco City Tour
Combine city sightseeing, an island visit, and a waterfront lunch stop
San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Sail From Pier 39
Cruise the Bay at sunset with 1 beer or wine included
Armstrong Redwoods & Bodega Bay Day Trip from San Francisco
Ride a Mercedes Sprinter to Armstrong Redwoods, Bodega Bay, and Sausalito
Guided Golden Gate Bridge E-Bike Tour from San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge Ride with Sausalito Ferry Return
Interactive Ride & Flight Simulation at PIER 39
Mix a ride choice with virtual reality and laser-beam challenges at PIER 39
Sausalito to PIER 39 Ferry Charter
Ride an exclusive ferry from Sausalito to Fisherman's Wharf
90-Minute San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
Sail San Francisco Bay from Pier 39 with 2 drinks included
5-Hour San Francisco Driving Tour
Explore San Francisco at your own pace with flexible sightseeing stops
San Francisco Electric Bike Rental
Ride San Francisco’s waterfront and Golden Gate Bridge with electric assist
San Francisco Bay Sunset Sail Near Golden Gate & Alcatraz
Sail into the evening aboard a yacht with music of your choice
Golden Gate Bridge E-Bike Rental From San Francisco
Ride an e-bike over the Golden Gate Bridge with the option to ferry back
San Francisco Speedboat Tour Under the Golden Gate Bridge
Speed past Golden Gate Bridge sights with photo stops from PIER 39
San Francisco Guided City Tour
See San Francisco’s neighborhoods, landmarks and coastal viewpoints with a guide