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Pier 39

Beach St & The Embarcadero · San Francisco, CA

Why you should go…

A bustling waterfront pier at Fisherman's Wharf packed with shops, restaurants, an arcade, and a resident colony of California sea lions that hauled out on the docks in 1989 and never left. Street performers and views of Alcatraz and the bay round out a stop that's part shopping center, part only-in-San-Francisco spectacle. It remains one of the most visited spots in the city.

  • #sea lions
  • #waterfront
  • #shopping
  • #fishermans wharf
  • #san francisco

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Pier 39, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Simco Restaurants

    $25–$50

    Family-owned group of Fisherman's Wharf seafood restaurants at Pier 39, including Pier Market and Fog Harbor Fish House.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    San Francisco Whale Tours

    $50+

    Narrated whale-watching boat trips through the Golden Gate to the waters off the Farallon Islands.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Blue & Gold Fleet

    $25–$50

    San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruises past Alcatraz, the sea lions, and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Francisco

    $25–$50

    A Fisherman's Wharf museum of oddities, illusions, and strange-but-true artifacts from around the world.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Pacific Pinball Museum

    $25–$50

    An Alameda museum packed with dozens of playable pinball machines spanning nearly a century.

    7.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Jelly Belly Visitor Center

    Under $25

    Self-guided factory tour and candy store where visitors watch Jelly Belly jelly beans being made.

    35 mi awayMore like this