Pier 39 is always a fun, colorful San Francisco stop. I visited on a sunny Sunday after walking from Crissy Field, and the whole area felt lively, playful, and very tourist-friendly. There is a little bit of everything: sea lions, souvenir shops, quirky stores, sweets, boba, matcha, musical stairs, waterfront views, and plenty of photo spots. The sea lions are still the highlight. They are loud, funny, dramatic, and somehow always entertaining. I also enjoyed browsing the shops, from rubber ducks to holiday decorations and specialty treats. I tried a matcha smoothie with ube from Berry's Boba & Matcha, which was refreshing and very pretty for photos. Yes, Pier 39 is touristy and prices can be high, but that is part of the experience. It is a cheerful place to walk around, people-watch, grab snacks, and enjoy classic San Francisco waterfront energy. Great for visitors, families, casual dates, or anyone who wants a lighthearted afternoon by the bay. read more

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Having lived in San Francisco for numerous years, I've been to Pier 39 many times -- sometimes to show out-of-towners cool parts of my favorite city and sometimes because I just wanna go to a place by the bay that feels like a carnival! The stores are super cute, there are things to do, there are restaurants as well as good quick eats (like the mini donut shop - oh my gosh that's so good - and a cute retro candy shop at the end of the pier. Additionally, the views at the end of the pier are magical, and you get to view it with songs from the sealions! There are also magic shows at the pier you can watch for free and a large carousel! Pier 39 is 100%, touristy, but it is still festive and fun, whether you're an out-of-towner or a local resident. The only downsides are the prices (because this area is a tourist trap) and the parking. Here are some tricks and tips: Look for coupons for some of the pier activities (ie, coupon books, Groupon, and even on the ads in the local map they give you for free). I've found coupons for the Aquarium By the Bay, restaurants, the mirror maze thingy, and The Flyer. You can also go to the Visitor Center office on the 2nd floor of the pier! Just ask politely for coupons, and they'll usually have something. (They gave me 20% off some nice restaurants last time.) As for parking, be careful with street parking because if you are even a minute late, I swear, you'll find a ticket on your windshield! The city ticket workers are like hawks. There is a Pier 39 parking garage that is the closest but costs a lot. You can look for open parking lots further away, like at hotels, which can be cheaper. If you are able to walk, that may be a good option -- or better yet, take public transportation when you can. That is part of the San Francisco experience! One more tip: if it's your first time there, bring a lock to put at the end of the pier! (See photo) There are definitely a multitude of photo opps here! read more

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I came to Pier 39 with my wife and her family while we came to visit San Francisco. I parked in the public parking garage across the street. We came at night time so the first thing we did was eat at Wipeout. We had a great experience dining there. There also small vendors on the Pier selling hot dogs and other small food as well. After we finish eating, my wife wanted to shop at some of the stores here. It's a nice walk to do at the Pier, especially if the weather is nice. My wife wanted to try some gelato ice cream but they already closed. She got some gifts at the small shops here and so did her mom. I used the public restroom here and it wasn't too bad. read more

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Pier 39 is one of those places that is part amusement center surrounded by some "cool" shops and great places to eat. The wooden dock area had a variety of restaurants serving everything from the infamous clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl to tacos and then the usual amusements center foods. When you walk to the end of the pier, there is a great view of Alcatraz island and down below is floating docks with sea lions and seals. This is the type of place that you could stop in for a great meal or stay and play the day away. read more

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Always a fun stop when in SF. Had lunch at nearby Cioppino's and there's an In n Out burger across the street! Guess I haven't been to SF in a while. lol. There was parking nearby, but it was pricey. Lots of shops and restaurants. Great spots for taking pictures. read more

PIER 39 - Pier 39 is always fun - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Popular stop for anyone's visit to San Francisco, we stop by here on each visit to seal the seals. Walk to the back of the pier, enjoy the bay, take a look at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, and take a look at (and listen to) all the seals lazing around. One of my favorite stops in SF. There's also a bunch of shops and restaurants on the pier. I've tried a few of the restaurants, and they're good - definitely overpriced as the pier is a tourist destination. But they have good views of the bay. So dependent on what you're looking for. Good spot to look for souvenirs. So many different shop options to pick from. Centrally located to so many different SF destinations. Easy walk from the Ferry Building, Ghirardelli Square, and the Embarcadero. It gets BUSY during high tourist season, so just be aware. Parking is expensive here. We just ubered to the area and then walked around to all the nearby areas from there to avoid having to park our car. Good stop to get in some of the classic SF vibes. read more

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This is the most tourist trap I've ever been to. Sure a good time for kids and plenty of sights and sounds to treat a wide range of interest however prices are astronomical, four pack of beer was nearly twenty, a simple crepe is 15$ and only the coffee seems priced within reason, but sealions! We did manage to time our trip during a full day's rain which didn't help lighten the quickly lightening wallet! read more

I haven't been back here since my parents were alive, and walking onto the pier brought a wave that hit deeper than the ocean breeze. This was their spot. My dad would light up over those mini donuts, powdered sugar everywhere and not a care in the world. My mom loved her clam chowder, the kind that warmed her hands first and her heart right after. As kids we ran around this place like it was our personal amusement park--games, crowds, seagulls stealing fries, all of it was magic. Coming back, it still felt the same... the sounds, the food, the energy. But their laughter wasn't there this time, and that absence echoed in a way only memory can. Even so, it reminded me why this place will always matter to me. Pier 39 holds pieces of my childhood, of my family, of moments you can't recreate but you can revisit when you need to feel close to where you came from. It's still fun, still full of life, and still that special place my parents turned into a tradition. And for that, it will always be a part of me. read more

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Pier 39 is the famous touristy pier that I used to love going as a kid. Over the years it's been a hit or a miss depending on how I am feeling and the purpose of the visit. I do love the million shops it has, and the sea lions that you can see from the pier and some good seafood restaurants (touristy) along with coffee shops. There is a hot sauce spot that I like as well I love it when they have fireworks here along with a big Christmas tree lighting. It's been around 5 years since I have been, but I have been here plenty of times before and it hasn't really changed that much over the years. Overall a good spot read more

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Pier 39 was a fun spot for my children and I while visiting San Francisco. We watched the sea otters and walked around the Pier. I loved the view of Alcatraz in the background. A bottle of water cost me $4.50 at a stand. Be prepared to pay the prices or bring your own drinks and food. read more

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Pier 39 never disappoints. There is always things to do, places to eat, attractions, lots of art, street performers, vendors and all kinds of parking, nice paved paths to walk plus electric, manual bike rentals and scooters. Things are spendy but I believe this area is consistently priced with other spots. Restrooms are clean, dog friendly, kid friendly. read more

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Absolutely Go to Pier 39! Every time my family and I come to San Francisco this is a must stop. Obviously it's kind of a tourist trap, but just great food and snacks and a fun, safe environment for the family here. Parking during the daytime is a real bummer. Anywhere you go, and can be extremely difficult. But once you're here, just so much to do and taste and take in. My mom had never been to San Francisco before so this was top on her list and it did not disappoint. We had some amazing seafood and snacks when walking around. Definitely visited the left-handed store since there are a couple of lefties in the family, including myself. Walk through the arcade and got some great coffee and just enjoyed the view of the bay. read more

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I personally have taken for granted the awesome place, Pier 39. Being born a raised in SF and having lived for close to half a century here, not until I did a staycation in Fisherman's Wharf did I come to realize I have lived my whole life near a special place. The vibe and crowds enjoying themselves during the holidays. The seals, the food, the games, the entertainment, and so much to see and do. Pier 39 is a must. Sometimes it's good to stop and smell the sourdough, ocean, seafood, and Trish's Donuts... read more

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There's a paid parking garage across the pier. There's also street parking a block away that cost from $1 per hour to $10.25 per hour. Came on a weekend. There were a lot of people on the pier. Lots of shops and restaurants. Great place to bring families. read more

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Accident place to try the local flavors like the clam chowder and the bread bowl, would definitely go around and get something hot to check out the local sea lions read more

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I remember when the pier opened in 1978, it was such a big event. Dianne Feinstein opened the pier wearing a "Sutro baths" swimsuit, after losing a bet with the developers that the pier wouldn't open in time.. This is such a fun place to come. A lot of people just call it a tourist trap, but it is so much more. Sure, there's the chain restaurants, and the chain stores, but then there's a lot of local restaurants, souvenir, shops, there's a magic store, there's a knife store, there's just so much to see and do They have rides, including the two-story carousel, and the "flying over San Francisco" ride. They also have street performers that do their thing. They have a special stage set up for them.. The star of the pier is the sea lions. It was the middle of December, and there were less than they usually are. Maybe they went home for the holidays :) Where the sea lions are now at used to be boat docks, and then when the sea lions started taking over the docks, , eventually they won out, and the boats left. You can read this to get more information about the sea lions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pier_39 I had a lot of fun. Thanks. read more

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I visited in December and was surprised by how few sea lions there were compared to my previous visit. I remember seeing many more before, so it may have been seasonal. Many of the shops sell typical tourist items, but I loved Lola's shop. It had a great selection of fun cards, San Francisco themed children's books, puzzles, and artistic gifts. Aside from that, there wasn't much to see at Pier 39. read more

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San Francisco Pier 39 is a Libra because it just celebrated 47 years on October 4 of 2025. The first time going to Pier 39 was magical as a kid. It was the San Francisco version of an amusement park but without the rides. Over the years it became a Tourist trap with some interesting dining options. Pier 39 is also a place I give tours to friends and family visiting from out of town. Although I got jaded going to Pier 39 in the past today I personally appreciate a place in San Francisco where people from around the world come to congregate and enjoy themselves with different forms of entertainment. Pier 39 has some good seafood restaurants for a Tourist trap in San Francisco along some delicious dessert places. There are also many places which sells clothing with the city of San Francisco displayed on it and also a place which sells gear of the San Francisco professional sports teams such as the 49ers, Giants, and the Warriors. There is also an aquarium and a 7D Ride. Overall Pier 39 is a highly celebrated place to enjoy views of the different landmarks of San Francisco by the sea. The outside entrance in San Francisco there is a big "sign "which displays Pier 39 some just call it "Thirty Nine "where people go shop and "dine"there is lots people visiting so some spots have a long "line" Come revisit the "Pier "in San Francisco as it celebrates another "year" of fun with an inviting "atmosphere "and it brings a feeling and vibes like it's your first time "here " read more

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My Favorite SF Tradition! I've been coming to Pier 39 since I was a kid, and honestly, it never gets old. Every time I visit, it just brings back all the best memories. Even though it's definitely one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, there is a reason for that! You can't beat the atmosphere. My highlights are always: * The Sea Lions: Watching (and hearing!) them lounge around is basically a rite of passage. It's still such a cool attraction after all these years. * The Shopping: I always end up finding some fun souvenirs in the little shops. * The Food: Grabbing a meal at one of the seafood restaurants is such a treat, but whatever you do, don't skip the ice cream. It's an absolute must! I always recommend people check it out at least once. It's a classic SF experience that always puts a smile on my face. read more

You just can't visit San Francisco without a stop at Thirty-Nine or Pier 39 :-). Yes, it's very touristy but it has its own history and charm. With views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Bay Bridge, Sea Lions, and lots of friendly seagulls what a perfect place. Early on a weekday morning beat the crowds as the coffee shops open and it's a very peaceful place :-) read more

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I 100% came to see the seals, and that alone was worth the trip. Where else will you conveniently see that many seals in the wild? The pier itself is loaded with shops and people. Better to come in the morning if crowds make you cringe. I did find one shop that was more locally oriented--it had a nice selection of SF cards and stickers. Even though it screams TOURISTY, I still recommend walking through Pier 39. After all, when in SF... read more

PIER 39 - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Pier 39 is a fun and exciting place to visit. This place offers visitors the use of all five of your human senses in one place. Sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. There is so much to see here be it the stores browsing and shopping to listening to music and/or people talking, to the aroma of food everywhere, etc... There is so much to do here and and just when you thought you had reached the end of the pier you had sent all, you run into a merry-go-round and other fun things for kids and adults alike to enjoy. This place definitely caters to tourists yet, despite how crowded pier 39 was during our visit, it was still good times read more

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Going to Pier 39 is so nostalgic, but there's a bunch of new things as well. We had a great time exploring every nook and cranny. It's been probably 20 years since I've been here and there are still some old favorites. Of course the Sea Lions are a must. It's hard to believe they've been here since 1989. I also got a squished penny because I love them and they are a nice small souvenir. read more

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After our escape from Alcatraz, we decided to wander over to Pier 39, to see if we could catch a view of the sea lions before it got to dark. We did find the sea lions and much more than we expected. Heading into the pier, with all of the holiday lights and music, it had a very European Christmas market feel. They had fun light displays, and a large tree with lights pulsating to music. Even for being a few days after Christmas, they were still keeping the holiday feel alive. The pier is packed with lots of gift shops, all kinds of fun, quirky and gimmicky shops like a sock store, a magnet store, a store for left handed people, souvenir shops and many others. There are also tons of dining options along the pier, from seafood, to pizza, to Hard Rock Cafe, bakeries, desserts and more, something for every taste and every price point. But as I mentioned our main reason for visiting the pier was a the very end, to see the sea lions...who were still out, barking, jumping around on the docks and having a good time. Always cool to see, though just beware they've got a stink to them. Even if it's not the holidays when you visit, I'd recommend checking out Pier 39....it's a good time, and lots to do and see. read more

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Pier 39 is definitely a great place to check out if you're in San Francisco. The vibe is really chill, even when it's busy, and I love how everything is right by the water. There's something about walking along the pier with the ocean right there that just feels relaxing. One of the highlights for me was the sea lions - such a fun and unique thing to see up close. You could honestly just stand there for a while watching them. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants, and a lot of them are actually worth checking out, not just filler. I'm taking one star off because it does feel a bit like a tourist trap at times - but not overwhelmingly so. It's still a really enjoyable spot overall. Would recommend stopping by at least once. read more

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The 'June Gloom' on a weekday made the tourist attraction (some say 'trap') of Pier 39 of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf pretty sparse, allowing us plenty of opportunity to explore the area before getting tired and taking a Lyft back to our nearby hotel. Pier 39 is a two story shopping center, housing a mix of shops/restaurants found at every other tourist area (e.g. Bubba Gump, Hard Rock Cafe) and some local restaurants (Pier Market Seafood operating since the 80's) as well. The biggest crowd by far on this weekday were the folks watching, hearing (and smelling) the California Sea Lions relaxing on the rafts moored close to the pier. There is a better view from the second level (the elevator up is close from the Sea Lions). They started to congregate here in 1990, and a new sculpture called 'Guardians of the Gate' was put on Pier 39 in 1991...it's a good picture opportunity. read more

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After hearing about Pier 39, we were disappointed. Our reaction is that the site is just a tourist area. It has many different shops, mostly offering souvenirs of one form or another. There are many restaurants, some local and some national chains. The most interesting site was a floating wooden deck that was full of seals. There was a lot of barking. Now that I've been there, I am unlikely to return. read more

PIER 39 - Pier 39 seals - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pier 39 is a fun spot to visit! Family friendly and lots of street entertainment. There are plenty of restaurants, souvenir shops, and things to see. It can get pretty crowded, so you have to be patient and make sure to hold on to your kiddos. They can get lost in the crowds. You can watch the sea lions, see Alcatraz in the distance, and even catch a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge when it's not foggy. Fisherman's Wharf and Aquatic Park are just a short walk from Pier 39. read more

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This is the liveliest part of Fisherman's Wharf. I visited this place in afternoon and in late evening. I thing late evenings were livelier. There was live music. In the afternoon, there was a gymnastic show from an English man. Thought that was very entertaining. Seal lion watching is fun. Pier had many small shops which sell memorabilia, tshirts, caps, magnets etc. at a cheaper prize. read more

PIER 39 - Alcatraz Island - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

SF is my home away from home yet I've never made it over to this tourist trap. However, i had my 9 year old in tow and had a feeling he would like it. And it did turn out to be the perfect first stop for our SF adventure long weekend. Here's what we did: - The flyer over SF. The other option was flying over dinosaurs, but we were in SF. I thought this was super fun and also a great way to learn about SF. We waited about 10 min to get started and the actual ride was about 6 min. - 7D adventure where we shot at bad guys. We had the ride to ourselves and my son loved it. - Lasers. This literally took 2 minutes and was a huge waste of $, which basically the woman selling us the tickets even told us. Would skip next time - Arcade: Your typical arcade, but all kids love an arcade. My son told me this was his favorite part of Pier 39. We went thru $40 fast, he played a bunch of games and we left with some crappy prizes. - Sea lions: We spotted them at the pier and took a few pics. They are adorable - Ate some sweets My original plan was to stick around for 4-5 hours and then go to our reservation at Fog Harbor, but my son was exhausted after 2-2.5 hours. The early morning wakeup for our flight didn't help. So we ubered back to the hotel and ordered in room service, but it was a great start to SF. I don't really feel the need to go back here and have our own version (Navy Pier) in Chicago, but a fun spot to do with kids in SF. read more

Definitely worth a visit while in SF, but extremely touristy. The restaurants and shops are ok. The seals were pretty cool to observe and the views of alcatraz were great. read more

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My friends and I stopped by here since we were near the area. I probably wouldn't come back. I did enjoy the views of Alcatraz and the sea lions but probably wouldn't buy anything from any of the stores. I think there are better places in SF to spend time but if you're nearby it doesn't hurt to walk around. read more

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An absolutely amazing experience! The selection of diverse shops, local eateries, and unique entertainment options is truly extensive. We were also impressed by the high standard of service; every vendor we met was friendly and professional. Most importantly, the value is unbeatable--the affordable options and great deals combined with free iconic views make this a must-visit. Truly a great price for the experience! read more

This is ground zero for tourism/tourist traps within San Francisco. It's mostly chain restaurants and nicknack shops. While this location was once an important part of the city, it's now important just in the tax revenue it probably generates. With that said should it be avoided at all costs? I'd say no. It's still worth experiencing. But you just need to go in with low expectations. The area has great views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate and seeing the sea lions relaxing on the docs is fun. But I would plan on eating elsewhere and not buying any merchandise there. Just save your money for elsewhere throughout the city. read more

Lots of gr8 shops, to mosey about and spend alll yo $$$ and eat some sweet sweets or pick up some interesting clothing read more

PIER 39 - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

Fun place to walk around and explore different shops and chill by the ocean. If you wanna stop by for 30mins, you can see pretty much everything. But if you wanna spend half a day here, there are so much fun shops that you can lost track of time over. Either way you will have a good time. For the most part every shop in this area has good customer service. There is everything from coffee place, restaurants, souvenir shops the selections are vast. The prices are what you expect at a touristy spot but not too outrageous. It is very tempting to spend some money here tho. read more

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#3004 Do you own the Fisherman's Wharf? Do you own Wharf USA? Do you own the league of Fisherman's Wharves in USA? Where? In Boston Baltimore etc? Fisherman's Wharf is always good for family and holidays... read more

PIER 39 - Merry Christmas - Shopping Centers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pier 39 is definitely a touristy spot, but it's one of those places you have to visit at least once if you're in San Francisco. Unless you're coming with a tour bus, I recommend taking public transportation--you can easily get here from the Ferry Building. Parking is tricky since there's no street parking available, but there are nearby parking structures if you do decide to drive. One of the coolest things about Pier 39 is the amazing views. You get a great look at Alcatraz Island and the bridges, and depending on the season, you can even see the famous sea lions lounging around. As for the shopping, there's plenty of variety with both unique specialty shops and more common souvenir stores. Some of the more interesting shops include Christmas in San Francisco, which has holiday items all year round, and Candy Baron, a place with unique candies. You'll also find fun spots like the Hard Rock Cafe, the Biscoff Store, and the Pearl Factory! Souvenir shops are reasonably priced--I've seen deals like 3 t-shirts for $20. When it comes to food, Pier 39 offers a lot of options. Popular chains like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. are here, but you'll also find smaller spots to grab a bite, whether you're craving seafood or something sweet. The atmosphere is lively and fun, with street performers and live music adding to the overall experience. Whenever I'm in San Francisco, I make sure to stop by Pier 39 for that classic SF tourist experience. read more

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Even though I'm a local, it's always nice to come by Pier39 every so often and do all the touristy things. My son had spring break and we were looking for a way to spend the day together and I decided to bring him to Pier39. One of the best free attractions here is watching the sea lions bask in the sun and barking at one another. Outside of that, there are several rides available, such as the carousel, bungee jump, and the high dive. You can visit several other entertainment attractions, consumer and specialty goods stores, and then you also have plenty of dining options available to fit your preference. You can easily spend an entire day here and have fun, although it will not be the cheapest day. Parking garage is across the street, steep rates - $10/hour with a $50 day max. You can get 1 hour validated if you dine at one of their participating restaurants. read more

Pier 39 is always a great place to visit, with plenty of food and entertainment options, and fun for the whole family. The sea lions are also a big plus. There are some things that are clearly tourist traps, but also some things that are clearly very authentic. Many of the restaurants are excellent, and it's definitely worthwhile to eat here (if you pick the right place). We keep coming back and it still hasn't gotten tired yet. That said, the kids ended up playing the Ninja Turtles game for like an hour. Understandable given how much time we adults spent in the area. read more