Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. . But the more convincing argument comes from the people who rely on the tourist area, including some of the artists and offbeat personalities who we grieve for and write think pieces about when theyre forced to leave the city. See maps below. There are directories posted at intervals with all of Pier 39s tenants, so you dont really need a map once youre there. The most breathtaking angle is one you can only experience by stepping off land and cruising the Bay's sparkling waters. San Francisco is home to many wild animals the parrots ofTelegraph Hill, the mysterious buffalo inGolden Gate Park, and a crowd of boisterous sea lions who camp out on PIER 39's K-Dock. By January 1990, their numbers had increased to 150 animals. Pier 39 Hours: Stores, Attractions & Fast Food: 10 am - 8 pm. AtFog Harbor Fish House, all seafood on the menu is guaranteed fresh and sustainably farmedand every meal comes with a complimentary view of the Golden Gate Bridge. To see the sea lions without fighting crowds, don't go to the pier viewing area. Hundreds of them have taken over a couple of docks from the local fishermen and are alot of fun to watch. Taking the stairs is not only good for your health; at PIER 39, it's also interactive art. 181 Reviews. The above tips are special things to know that you might not pick up from simply viewing what shops and things to do. Schmaltz. All attires are welcome in the restaurants. On my reader-curated tourist traps we love list are places like the sea lions, Musee Mecanique arcade, Buena Vista Cafe and the newer gem Subpar indoor miniature golf course in Ghiradelli Square; four of the most delightfully authentic Bay Area destinations in the city. From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, a visit to San Francisco starts at PIER 39! SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Among the many places in San Francisco that sat dark and quiet during the pandemic, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 were top on that list. Pier 39 in San Francisco is one of our most popular tourist attractions. {{activeParkingLot.lot && activeParkingLot.lot.features ? June 17 - September 3: 10am - 8pm September 4 - December 31: 10am - 6pm November 22: 10am . . (As a compromise, she showed up in a more puritan Sutro Baths bathing suit.). Originally, PIER 39 had 50 stores, 23 restaurants, a diving pool and street performers. Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases hundreds of tourists came to visit Pier 39. Whatever you call the pseudo-Victorian junk with which Warren Simmons has festooned Pier 39, this ersatz San Francisco that never was a chef-doeuvre of hallucinatory cliches is a joke on the port and planning commissions and especially a bad joke on the whole unfortunate city.. What are PIER 39's hours of operation? After weathering the spring and summer without work, poet and unemployed tour bus guide Mark J. Mitchell spent a terrifying holiday worried about the fate of the $900 billion stimulus bill, and his ability to pay the bills at the Fillmore-area apartment he has shared with his wife for decades. 10 Iconic San Francisco Eats & Drinks That Every Visitor Must Try, The sea lions at PIER 39 are San Francisco cutest residents, How to Get to San Francisco from the Airports on BART, Explore San Francisco's Newest Park, The Presidio Tunnel Tops, 8 Great Places for Camping in San Francisco and Beyond, Everything You Need to Know About San Francisco's Sea Lions, Everything You Need to Know About the Castro Street Fair. Eagle Cafe opens at 8am daily serving breakfast until 11:30amserving breakfast favorites including eggs, pancakes, fresh toast, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, mimosas, bloody marys, the works! Directions: To park in the PIER 39 garage, drive north on Embarcadero past North Point Street. 1050 FRONT STREET, ENTRANCE: from. [2], On December 22, 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Everitt Aaron Jameson, a 25-year-old former Marine, on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in the Pier 39 area over Christmas. The number one thing locals know that visitors dont? Please, check your inbox. And while he didnt ask for it, well break up his final quote into verse: But its also part of what makes San Francisco special, You might run across somebody you can practice your French with, Youre going to run into people from all over the world, And thats part of what makes San Francisco culturally diverse, Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles culture critic. If you forget your warm layers there are plenty of sweatshirt shops for you to buy a new souvenir that reminds you of your favorite city or of your favorite sports team from the sports store Lids located at the front of the PIER. Here's a tip: Travel to the top of PIER 39's Parking Garage for a full 360-degree view of all the above. Visitors tend to leave with a case of sea lion withdrawal after watching the antics of these playful pinnipeds. Read their story and see what they're up to right now on the live Sea Lion Web Cam. Pier 39 is a 45-acre waterfront complex that provides spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay. He enjoys splashy production numbers and outdoor sporting events equally, which means you can usually find him at one of San Franciscos many great theaters or at Oracle Park, cheering on the Giants. Stay hydrated while you discover all the ways to play at PIER 39! Lids - PIER 39 Get exclusive offers and parking promotions delivered to you. If you're lucky, you may even be able to recruit a sea lion chorusfor a barking backup. Many of the store owners work directly behind the counter, and if you end up getting carried away, stop by theCalifornia Welcome Centerand they'll help you ship your San Francisco memories back home. Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf comeback underway after 87% drop in visitors Muir Woods, Sausalito and San Francisco, All in One Day. The California Welcome Center, the official state visitor center in San Francisco, provides valuable information on what to see and do in San Francisco. 2. Yes. Lids at PIER 39 features two Custom Lids stations for all your customization needs. In November 2009, the more than 1,701 sea lions that had lived at the pier began to leave, and by late December 2009 nearly all were gone; a similar flux in population occurs annually, with the animals returning in the spring. Lids offers all of your favorite sports teams in the latest styles and colors. Social animals by nature, sea lions are in their element, hanging out at one of San Franciscos most popular destinations. Fremont Station (BART) to Pier 39 - 3 ways to travel via - Rome2rio [5] Naturalists and education staff interact with visitors and school groups with programs and demonstration activities. Thats just human nature.. C$268.58. As the pandemic will force us to change a lot of thinking in San Francisco, this may be the easiest place to start. But while covering that ground from Pier 39 to the Wharf to Ghirardelli Square, we had a fantastic time, and weve both been back often. If you are planning your visit in advance, most restaurants open reservations 3 months ahead. 2023 Copyright simco restaurants. The area is easily accessible via the historic F-Market streetcars, buses, and cable cars. For more information, visit theVisit CaliforniaorCalifornia Welcome Centerwebsites, or call 415.716.1423. In the Presidioone of San Francisco's most historic, picturesque, and famous open spacesa new attraction has just opened for visitors. PIER 39 is conveniently located in the heart of San Francisco. Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf and Ghirardelli Square will never pack up their cioppino and sea lions and move to Austin, Texas, rage-typing on Twitter as they board their departing flight. No worries, you can purchase one near the entrance. 4 How much does it cost to Go to PIER 39? Straight from Tom Hanks' movie "Big," a set of symphonic stairs located mid-PIER allow you to make your own music as you walk up (or down) them. Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House,Wipeout Bar & Grill, Crab House, and Eagle Cafe provide complimentary wifi to dine-in guests. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The waterfront tourist center, upon its arrival in 1978, was framed as the greatest existential crisis in the citys history larger than an earthquake and fire that destroyed half of San Francisco in 1906. California Sea Lions at PIER 39 The Sea Lion Story & Live webcam A few California sea lions began "hauling out" on PIER 39's K-Dock shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco in October 1989. How SF shooting near Pier 39 impacted Fisherman's Wharf Like almost nothing else in San Francisco history, Pier 39 finished on budget and on time; Dianne Feinstein bet against the 14-month deadline, offering to come to an on-time opening in a bikini. During these tours, it sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. All Rights Reserved. This historical vessel is now a popular floating museum in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. The garage clearance is 6 feet, 8 inches high. per group (up to 3) 2023. Tyler is the Sr. Please do not bring pets or other animals, with the exception of leashed service animals trained to provide assistance to guests with disabilities and/or in the company of persons claiming to be a trainer of a service animal, onto PIER 39 property. The PIER 39 Entrance Plaza features a passenger and taxi-loading zone. Take your Kids Menu to the Aquarium of the Bay for discounted tickets! Pier 27 (San Francisco) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor You look around and see all of these people who have come from all over the world, Mitchell says. Fishermans Wharf had already become tourist-ified more than a decade earlier. Lets take a family photo! In defense of Pier 39. 8 Things You Need To Know About PIER 39 - Fog Harbor Since there are so many things to do at the pier in San Francisco, you will likely have your phone out taking photos and videos of all the pier 39 things to do. Pier 39 - Wikipedia PIER 39P.O. You can also plan to buy specially coffee beans and Biscoff cookie products to take home for souvenirs to your friends back home and have your San Francisco trip live on. What time does the Santa Monica Pier Close? PIER 39 is the ideal safe outing. For more info, please visit pier39.com/smartwater-promo. Ill give Mitchell, who has borne witness and waits for the return of tourism, the last word. Frequently Asked Questions - PIER 39 Shopping center and popular tourist attraction on a pier in San Francisco, California, "The San Francisco Piers By the Numbers", "Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association", "San Francisco: Man arrested over 'Christmas terror plan', "Aquarium of the Bay | Explore, Engage, Experience | San Francisco", "With Summer Ahead, Most Sea Lions Expected To Leave Pier 39", San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Oyster Point/South San Francisco Ferry Terminal, Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young Museum, National Register of Historic Places listings in San Francisco, San Antonio Shopping Center, Mountain View, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pier_39&oldid=1134707026, Shopping malls in the San Francisco Bay Area, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 20 January 2023, at 04:20.