Take a tour of Pier 39 in San Francisco. In this article, you’ll find out all the details of one of the city’s most visited sites.
About Pier 39 in San Francisco
Pier 39 is a well-known entertainment and shopping center that has been around since the 1980s, attracting millions of people from all over the world who want to shop, be entertained and eat incredible food. And the best thing is that it was all built under a pier on San Francisco Bay, giving it even more charm.
- Important tip: San Francisco is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
What to do at Pier 39 in San Francisco?
One attraction you’re sure to find is the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, where you can learn more about the local marine life and even touch some of the animals. Another highlight of the pier is the double-decker carousel that will enchant any child. Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze is a fascinating maze made up of mirrors, where you are challenged to find your way out. It’s super cool.
Finally, you can enjoy a tour of Alcatraz Island, where the most secure prison in the United States used to be located. This place attracts a lot of interest from tourists looking to find out more about how the most famous prison on the planet, which housed crooks like Al Capone, worked.
To get to the island, simply take a ferry boat to your destination. The ride is very short, lasting just 10 minutes.
Restaurants at Pier 39 in San Francisco
The perfect lunch at Pier 39 can only be at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, a restaurant famous in the area for being built for the filming of the classic Forrest Gump. In addition, the Forbes Island floating restaurant deserves a mention for the quality of its meals.
Our top tip for enjoying Pier 39 to the full is to set aside a whole day to visit every attraction in the area and, in the evening, take a boat trip, such as the Blue & Gold Fleet.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to San Francisco, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
Information about Pier 39 in San Francisco
- Address: Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, California (United States).
- Store hours: every day from 10am to 9pm.
- Opening hours for attractions (excluding Blue & Gold Fleet and Aquarium of the Bay): daily from 10am to 10pm.
- Restaurant hours: every day from 11am to 9pm.
How to save on paid attractions in San Francisco?
San Francisco offers many free and diverse attractions, but there are also paid tours that are not to be missed – such as its incredible museums. To do these, we recommend that you book them in advance, online and with reliable companies – like the one we used on our trip to California. With this company, you’ll be able to visit the most popular places.
And because we always use the same tour company on our trips, we’ve been able to get a special discount for our readers. So, to get access to the discount and already secure tours at a great price, just click here on tickets to San Francisco.
Save money on your trip to San Francisco:
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in San Francisco. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
