Pier 39

Pier 39 which includes signage and landscape views
This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day.

Belching, barking and back scratching are hardly the stuff that tourist dreams are made of, unless you’re talking about the colonies of sea lions that bask in the sun and play on their floating docks at Pier 39.

The sea lions have called the pier home since 1989, shortly after the San Francisco Loma Prieta earthquake. Marine biologists believe the animals reside here because there is plenty of food in the bay and their natural predators (white sharks and orcas) don’t hunt here. Their numbers fluctuate during the year, and they’re typically absent in the summer months when they venture south to breed and give birth. But you may be lucky enough to see hundreds of these playful critters in November 2009 a record 1,701 were counted!

There’s a wide variety of sea life on display at the nearby Aquarium of the Bay. Walk through two clear tunnels and see marine species native to San Francisco, including rays, sharks and octopi, swimming right above you.

Pier 39 is a two-level complex of shopping, sideshows, entertainment, dining, rides and attractions that can keep you busy for an afternoon or an entire day. If you need some down-time, step aboard the "Neptune" for a 90-minute wine tasting cruise on the bay. Or, just settle back on a bench and check out the terrific views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the city skyline.

Pier 39 is immediately adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf at the northern end of the Embarcadero. It is accessible on foot and is also serviced by cable cars which run up and down the Embarcadero and also to downtown.

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Emblem San Francisco
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Pier 39

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
160
" "5 - Excellent 43.956043956043956%
4 - Good
145
" "4 - Good 39.83516483516483%
3 - Okay
46
" "3 - Okay 12.637362637362637%
2 - Disappointing
11
" "2 - Disappointing 3.021978021978022%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.5494505494505495%

3/5 - Okay

ChrisF
27 Sep 2019

Don't miss the sealions

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller
30 Jul 2019

A big tourist hole. Avoid.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
21 Jun 2019

Incredibly busy area, just souvenir shops and restaurants

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Jun 2019

Nice place good food shops are plentyful. Best part is the sea lions

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
9 Feb 2019

Great for the sea lions, the rest is tacky.

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Top Pier 39 Hotel Deals

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
4 out of 5
250 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
4 out of 5
555 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
1300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
550 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco
Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco
3 out of 5
2620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco
Wharf Inn
Wharf Inn
2.5 out of 5
2601 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
Wharf Inn
Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf
Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
1250 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA
Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.