Pier 39
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! PIER 39—the most visited destination in San Francisco—offers two levels of dining, entertainment, shopping and attractions, all surrounded by unbeatable views of the city and the Bay. Located along the historic San Francisco Waterfront, PIER 39’s location provides the picture-perfect backdrop for postcard views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz and Angel Islands, and the famous city skyline. Be treated to an unforgettable San Francisco experience and learn why a visit to San Francisco starts at The PIER.
-
There’s so much to do at PIER 39, with many exciting opportunities for fun, new experiences, and a unique taste of San Francisco. Some of the various things to enjoy and do at PIER 39 include:
-
Going on thrilling rides
-
Trying out The PIER’s escape rooms and mirror maze
-
Booking sailing charters, whale-watching tours, bay cruises, and sightseeing adventures
-
Finding local bike rentals and tours to cruise around the City
-
Visiting the Aquarium of the Bay and stopping by the sea lion viewing areas
-
Walking down the musical stairs and playing at the arcade
-
Shopping at The PIER for unique gifts and souvenirs
-
Eating delicious cuisine at the many restaurants at The PIER
-
Wine tasting at The PIER
-
More
With so much to do, see, and experience at PIER 39, many visitors dedicate at least half a day or more to exploring The PIER.
-
Opened in 1978, The PIER has had decades to earn several claims to fame, including being well-known and wildly popular for its:
More recently, The PIER has been recognized as one of the most visited attractions in San Francisco, earning the title for 9 consecutive years and becoming a Legacy Business of the City of San Francisco in 2018.
In 2028, The PIER is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Special celebrations and festivities will likely happen all year long to commemorate that important milestone.
-
The physical location of PIER 39 is not the same as its mailing address. If you want to visit PIER 39, you’ll want to enter the following address into your GPS as the destination:
PIER 39
Beach Street & The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
If you’re looking for the mailing address for PIER 39, see below:
PIER 39
P.O. Box 193730
San Francisco, CA 94119-3730
Keep in mind that public transportation in the city (buses and trolley cars) runs to The PIER, as does any rideshare operator in the city.
So, you don’t necessarily have to drive yourself down to The PIER, navigate the lay of the land, or find parking; using public transportation and/or rideshare options can be easier if you’re new to San Francisco and you’d like to take some of the stress out of getting around.
-
Yes! PIER 39 as a walkable pier area, with San Francisco Bay views, is open year round.
Most days of the year, the restaurants, shops, and attractions at The PIER are also open starting at ~10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and closing anywhere from ~8 p.m. to 10 p.m. (depending on weather and subject to change without warning).
If you’re planning to visit The PIER on a holiday, you’ll want to double-check the opening hours for any restaurants, shops, or attractions you plan on visiting because holiday hours can vary (and these businesses may not open on some holidays).
-
The PIER, as a walkable area, is open 24/7 and doesn’t “close” to visitors. The stalls, shops, restaurants, and attractions at PIER 39 do close, starting at around 8 p.m., with full-service restaurants typically staying open the latest and closing around 10 p.m.
Please be aware that closing times for PIER 39 stores, restaurants, and more are subject to change, some without notice and depending on the weather.
So, if you’d like enough time to enjoy at least some of the attractions at PIER 39, it’s usually best to try to arrive no later than late afternoon or early evening.
-
Yes, PIER 39 is a safe, open-air shopping mall and attraction that has 24-hour security run by a team of trained professionals. They work directly with local law enforcement (SFPD), emergency services, and other local authorities to keep The PIER as safe as possible at all times.
Additionally, security at PIER 39 is trained and fully certified in First Aid, CPR, Automated External Defibrillator, and State of California Guard Card Training. That makes them ready to respond promptly and appropriately to a wide range of situations, including health events.
-
There’s no shortage of scrumptious food options at PIER 39. Some of the many restaurants and eateries at The PIER include:
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- Crab House
- Eagle Cafe
- Fog Harbor Fish House
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Lappert’s Ice Cream Shop
- Luau Lounge Tiki Bar
- PIER Market Seafood Restaurant
- Players Sports Grill & Arcade
- Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant
- Taco Cantina
- The Fudgery
- Wipeout Bar & Grill
That means that it’s easy to find sit-down restaurants, on-the-go bites, and anything in between at The PIER. You can also choose from a range of cuisines, making this a go-to destination for local and visiting foodies alike.
-
You can park at The PIER 39 Garage, which is directly across the street from the Entrance Plaza. This parking garage is open 24/7, but it does NOT permit overnight parking (and will actively tow vehicles trying to push the limits).
If you park at The PIER 39 Garage, it’s strongly recommended that you:
-
Never leave valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you.
-
Lock your vehicle and make sure all windows are rolled up.
-
Check the latest parking rates and available discounts here, as these regularly change (and holiday rates can apply on certain days of the year).
Please also be aware that public transportation is available. San Francisco public transportation can be cost-effective and relatively easy to navigate if you want to avoid the hassle of having a vehicle.
-
Most likely! The best time of the year to see sea lions at PIER 39 is from July through May (i.e., ~mid-summer to end of Spring), when dozens to hundreds of these lovable creatures can be seen from The PIER.
During other times of the year, you can still see sea lions at PIER 39, but there tend to be far fewer of them hanging around and trying to charm the visitors who stop by to see them.
-
As a pier, PIER 39 doesn’t “close,” which means it’s open on Christmas Day for walking around, checking out the views, and taking advantage of festive family photo ops.
That said, most (if not all) shops and restaurants on PIER 39 are closed on Christmas, and many have scaled back hours for Christmas Eve.
-
No. Fisherman’s Wharf and PIER 39 are separate San Francisco attractions. Both are located in The Embarcadero and:
-
PIER 39 is located ~2 blocks east of Fisherman’s Wharf (at The Embarcadero and Beach St.).
-
PIER 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf have different restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other opportunities.
That’s why many visitors make it a point to spend time at both Fisherman’s Wharf and PIER 39, sometimes, dedicating separate days for each to fully enjoy their unique offerings.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to plan a day at Fisherman’s Wharf, check out some inspired itineraries here.
-
Service dogs that are properly trained, leashed, and guided are allowed at PIER 39 for any disabled individuals who rely on their dogs to get around.
Other than that, however, PIER 39 is not generally open to pets. That’s because this SF hotspot is designed for human visitors. As such, it gets a lot of foot traffic and all types of guests, some of whom may have sensitivities to different critters (like allergies).
To avoid these issues and minimize the risks to all parties that visit PIER 39, guests are strongly urged to leave their pets at home (or in a safe spot) and avoid bringing them to the PIER (unless they have trained service animals, as noted above).
-
Yes! There are breathtaking views of Alcatraz from PIER 39, with nearly endless opportunities for spectacular selfies and once-in-a-lifetime photo ops. Simply find a view of the water just off the PIER and look for the small island surrounded by jagged rocks and topped with weathered stone walls of the former penitentiary.
While you can take an Alcatraz tour to get a closer look at this historic landmark, you can also stop by the Alcatraz gift shop at PIER 39 to find some fun souvenirs for lasting memories.
-
Yes! Just like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge is another San Francisco landmark that’s usually easy to see from PIER 39. To see the Golden Gate Bridge from PIER 39, look to your north on a clear day (if it’s foggy, you may have a better time seeing Golden Gate Bridge from a closer vantage point than PIER 39).
