One of the highlights of Pier 39 is watching the vast numbers of sea lions basking in the sun or playing on the floating docks on which they live. These noisy residents are popular with visitors, so the best time to see them is early in the morning.
The pier has been home to these entertaining creatures since 1989, following the San Francisco Loma Prieta earthquake. Marine biologists have come to the conclusion that the animals chose to reside here because of the plentiful food in the bay. Also, white sharks and orcas, their natural predators, don’t hunt here. During the summer months, they’re usually absent as they venture south to breed, but at other times of year, you may be lucky enough to encounter hundreds of them at any one time. The record number counted was 1701, back in November 2009.
Continuing on a sea theme, there’s plenty of other sea life on display at the nearby Aquarium of the Bay. You can observe marine species native to San Francisco as you walk through its two clear tunnels. Get close to magnificent creatures such as rays and sharks, swimming right above you.
Spend a leisurely day or an afternoon wandering round Pier 39’s 2-level complex, with plenty of shopping, dining, rides and attractions to keep you entertained. For a change of scene, there are some tempting wine tasting cruises that depart from the bay. For peace and quiet, find a bench overlooking the bay and take a seat for a while, while you take in the terrific views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and the city skyline.
Pier 39 is right next to Fisherman's Wharf at the northern end of the Embarcadero. It can be reached on foot and is also serviced by cable cars which run up and down the Embarcadero and also to downtown.
