things to do at pier 39 san francisco

Explore the Quirky Charm of Pier 39: Bizarre Shops and Unique Attractions

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If it’s eccentricity you’re looking for, you’ve probably already considered visiting San Francisco, a city where extravagance is the norm.

Today we’re talking about a place that at first glance may seem a little bizarre. I’m referring to Pier 39 in San Francisco, by far the most famous attraction in Fisherman’s Wharf. What is it? Basically, it is a reconstruction of a typical fishing village in San Francisco. On the surface, this may not sound strange, but this place is full of unusual and out-of-the-ordinary things. Let’s go and discover them together.

Where is Pier 39?

Pier 39 is a rebuilt pier at Fisherman’s Wharf and is one of the most commercial and crowded areas in all of San Francisco. To get there, I suggest you take a nice walk along the bay (maybe starting from the Ferry Building, about 25 minutes, or following the route proposed here). You’ll pass several piers. Pier 39 is where you want to go and you’ll recognize it immediately. Alternatively, you can always take public transportation, which we talked about in our article on how to get around San Francisco.

Things to Do at Pier 39 and Best Attractions

You can literally get lost in this small fishing village turned into a sort of amusement park! You’ll see everything under to sun. Here you can listen to the melodies of street musicians or sit for a few minutes in front of the small open-air stage where magic shows, juggling, and other performances are held at various times of the day.

Here is our selection of attractions, in case you want to get an idea of what to expect:

Aquarium of the Bay

Pier 39 San Francisco aquariumThe Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 is home to 20,000 sea creatures that are native to San Francisco Bay. The aquarium was born to introduce tourists to the local marine fauna (and other fauna) and, at the same time, it makes an effort to preserve and defend it. You can walk through an underwater tunnel while sharks and rays swim over you, but I’m sure you won’t easily forget the moment when you see the ghostly Aurelia jellyfish circling in the water right in front of you.

Get your tickets

Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze

Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze pier 39Entering this mirror maze is much more fun if you bring your family or friends along! You get lost in a maze of optical illusions, psychedelic lights, dead ends, and deceptive mirrors that challenge your perception of reality – at least for a little while!

San Francisco Carousel

things to see at pier 39 san francisco

Riding the merry-go-round in the central square of Pier 39, right behind the stage, can become a timeless romantic memory. Built in Italy, the San Francisco Carousel is a small artistic jewel decorated with depictions of the city’s most important attractions and monuments.

Musical Stairs

This attraction is pretty self-explanatory and is clearly visible on the promenade of the Pier. Go up and down the musical stairs to play catchy melodies, but be careful to not get too carried away by making very long jumps that may you get hurt…

7D Experience

Do you think that adventures in 3 dimensions are boring? Do the 4D videos seem a bit unrealistic to you? On Pier 39 in San Francisco, you can do the 7D Experience (don’t ask us to list the dimensions!). There are three different virtual adventures to choose from and they are Dark Ride, Laser Maze Challenge, and Beam Buster.

Sea Lions at Pier 39

Sea Lions at Pier 39
Seafarers at Pier 39

It does not end there! There is another reason not to miss Pier 39. This pier is in fact the best place to admire sea lions, who gather here in large numbers when the weather is favorable. To get an idea of the close-up view and the number of sea lions (they are not seals, as many people think!) that are at Pier 39, take a look at the picture above.

Do you like the atmosphere of Pier 39?
Well, then continue exploring the area! Here’s a list of the attractions at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Shopping at Pier 39: Cool Shops

What makes Pier 39 unique, in my opinion, lies also in the type of shops that you can find. These are ideal places to buy a souvenir of your vacation, or just to have a laugh…

Are you interested in more tips for shopping in the rest of the city?
Read our guide to shopping in San Francisco

Here are some examples of the most extravagant shops at Pier 39:

  • Lefty’s San Francisco. The Left Hand Store: A store where you’ll find only left-handed items, such as watches that turn backwards, custom-made cups (they have a whole on one side so that if you use them with your right hand, you’ll spill the drink all over yourself), and much more.
  • Sock’s Market: An entire store dedicated to one of the greatest inventions in human history: the sock! You will find all socks of all colors, shapes, and sizes.
  • Alcatraz: This is Alcatraz‘s gift shop. Perhaps it is a bit sad, but indicative of Americans’ ability to create a business for just about everything!
  • Magnets: A whole shop that sells magnets.
  • Enlightenment: The shop of inner enlightenment, with Buddhist handicrafts and objects that will help you to not lose your way!
  • Antiquities: You will find paintings and posters of music and movie stars, electric guitars, candy machines, and other “antiques from the distant past”.
  • Houdini’s Magic Shop: Where you can buy what you need to try the tricks of the famous illusionist Houdini.
  • Animal Country: There shouldn’t be anything unusual in a stuffed toy shop… instead there is! Follow the directions to “stuff your bear here” and start building your own teddy bear. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to build your own teddy bear: the shop is closed!
  • Pearls inside the oysters: Multiple shops on Pier 39 will let you open an oyster and buy the pearl inside!

Place to Eat at Pier 39

Clam Chowder is one of the most famous dishes of San Francisco. You will find many restaurants that offer it on the waterfront of the Fisherman’s Wharf and at Pier 39, where the soup is usually garnished with finely chopped basil. However, you can also taste this typical dish in other areas of the city. We had it at the Neptune Waterfront Grill & Bar – a nice restaurant overlooking Alcatraz – and at The Hook, a decent fast food restaurant, both on Pier 39. Not far from Pier 39, in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, there are also some Italian restaurants where you can try other typical dishes, like Cioppino and Granciporro (Dungeness crab). You can read our tips here.

Other Visiting Tips

Once you’ve visited Pier 39, there’s still a lot to do in the city, so check out our article on attractions in San Francisco. If you still need to organize your stay and want to spend the night close to Pier 39, make sure to check out our advice on where to stay near Fisherman’s Wharf.


Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

lorenzo puliti
lorenzo puliti

I am fascinated by the wonders of the world I never tire of going in search of them.

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