Pier 39

Pier 39 opened in October 1978, created by the entrepreneur Warren Simmons on the edge of the Fisherman's Wharf district. It is a pier of shops, restaurants, food stands and attractions on the bay, and it is free to enter. It can feel touristy, but it is a fun stop with children and a good place to see sea lions up close.

The sea lions are the real stars. A colony first started hauling out at the pier in September 1989, having mostly used Seal Rock before, and by January 1990 there were around 150. Numbers rise and fall through the year, with up to 1,700 reported during Thanksgiving week in 2009, and the animals bark, sleep and jostle for space on the docks. The Sea Lion Center, the education arm of the Aquarium of the Bay, explains their behaviour, and a live webcam shows the docks when you are not there.

The Aquarium of the Bay is also on the pier, and near the end there is a two-storey carousel. Blue and Gold Fleet operates from here as well. Shops open from 10am to 8pm, full-service restaurants from 11am to 9pm, and most attractions from 10am to 8pm, though hours vary for some businesses and can change without notice.

Pier 39 is busiest on weekend afternoons and in summer. Come in the morning for a quieter look at the sea lions, or in the early evening for the lights across the water. Allow an hour for a wander and the sea lions, and longer if you plan to visit the aquarium or eat here. Keep an eye on bags in the crowds, and keep a respectful distance from the sea lions, which are wild animals. The pier has plenty of places to sit and eat, but booking ahead for a sit-down meal at a busy time saves waiting.

The Pier 39 Garage is directly across the street and is open 24 hours a day. The pier is close to North Beach, Chinatown and the Embarcadero, and the F-line streetcar runs along the waterfront, so it is easy to combine with Alcatraz ferries from Pier 33, the rest of Fisherman's Wharf, or a cable car ride from the end of the Powell lines.