Everyone who visits "The City" knows about Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz, but spending a few hours on Pier 39 is an activity in itself!

My favorite attraction is the collection sea lions (seals don't have ear flaps!) that hang out next to the pier. After the devastating 1980's earthquake, these sea lions found their way here and have called it home ever since. They lounge around on floating docks, soaking up rays, pushing each other around and swimming around. They're free to come and go in and out of the marina, but it seems like mostly they stay put. Every now and then one sea lion will decide to pick at another one just to get a game going. They push and shove and try to knock each other into the water. It's a massive-sized game of "King of the Hill." On a beautiful day, with the bright blue sky above and the Golden Gate bridge in the distance, you could spend hours watching.

But if sea lions only amuse for so long, there's plenty of shopping and food on the Pier. One jewelry store features earrings in the form of miniature corkscrews that twist in and out of your ears - supposedly very comfortable. They're certainly beautiful and unique. Another shop features all Alpaca wool clothing. Of course, there's any number of souvenir shops, with suprisingly affordable items to help you remember your trip.

Food ranges from funnel cakes and other fast food to wonderful restaurants overlooking the bay. Neptune's is wonderful, with crab legs to die for.

Among all The City has to offer, don't miss this wonderful treat!

Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square are all located on the San Francisco Bay and are in walking distance of each other. Fisherman’s Wharf is dotted with restaurants, electronic stores, and T-shirt shops—your usual tourist trap, but you will still visit it anyway.

I was very disappointed in the restaurants. They are over priced and, coming from the East Coast, I do not like the West Coast seafood. They are famous for their Dungeness crabs. Compared to good old Maryland crabs, Dungeness have no flavor. The Bay Area is known for its famous chowder in a sourdough bowl. I stopped at a street vendor thinking it would be cheaper than eating it in the restaurant, but I was wrong. A bowl of chowder ran $9; it was comparable to Boston’s chowder but way over priced. Prices in restaurants for lunch and dinner are no different. The restaurants really do not have a lunch menu. Plan on spending between $50 and $90 for lunch or dinner for two.

If you want to shop, I thought this was a great place to by souvenirs. T-shirt shops everywhere and all for a great price. Like electronics, this is the place. I purchased a lens for my camera for the same price or better than on the Internet.

Pier 39 is one of the most visited places in the country; it is up there with Disney. Why, I am not sure. Walking from the main part of the wharf down to Pier 39, the street is filled with street artists and performers. This part is quite entertaining. Pier 39 is not much more than the piers on the boardwalk in South Jersey—your usual shops with restaurants. The best and only thing about visiting the pier is the sea lions. For some reason they hang out by the hundreds. Bleachers are available if you plan on watching them for a period of time.

Gharardelli Square and the Cannery once were working factories. Gharardelli Chocolate Factory was converted into shops, condos, and restaurants. In November 1964, Ghirardelli Square opened and is considered the first successful adaptive reuse project in the country. Ghirardelli Square was granted National Historic Register status in 1982. The Cannery was once a Del Monte factory. This historic building, dating back to 1907 and located on the waterfront, was since converted to restaurants, shops, and condos. Unlike the main part of Fisherman’s Wharf, this area offers unique shops and boutiques. From here, walk across to the Aquatic Park. You will get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. But this area is known for better things. In the frigid cold waters of the bay, you will see swimmers. I was here in January and I could not believe the amount of people swimming in these waters just like a warm summer day.

Getting here: Depending on what part of the city you are staying, both cable car turn arounds are located here. The trolleys run in the area.

This is a great place to spend an afternoon.

The shops on the pier are a lot of fun, including a large variety of choices. One can purchase jewelry, clothing, candy and souvenirs with ease.

The views from the pier are great. These allow for many photo opportunities. Oakland Bay Bridge, Pier 39 lighthouse, Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge are all visible.

For those seeking wildlife, each time I have been to Pier 39 the seals have been present.
For those seeking wild rides they have bungee drops out on the pier.

There are a variety of restaurants and food vendors on the pier to fit all tastes and budgets.

Cruises of San Francisco Bay are available and do not forget the Aquarium.

One could easily fill an afternoon here, enjoyable activity.

I will start out with what not to miss: The Sea Lions who lounge at the pier, the SF Carousel (I rode this as a kid), and a MUST is dinner at Neptune's (I ate there at every special birthday, the view is great).

This is a very touristy spot, with lots of people on the weekend, so I recommend visiting during the week during school hours if possible. If not beware that there are loads of kids and teens.

It's nice to just walk around the pier and to know that you are basically walking on something extended from land onto the water, the shops are great, some very unique shops (see LLama shop or Alpaca shop its so cool), great street performers and great food. There are also many great places to visit just walking distance of the pier, you will enjoy your time there.

You can also access many tours from here.

If there is one thing in San Francisco that screams tourist, it is Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Yet, it has to be one of my favorite things to do in this fishy city. Fisherman's Wharf is perfect for the seafood lover, with fresh seafood in the numerous street vender's carts that surround you. Crab is the specialty, but there is also an abundance of fresh clam chowder (in the infamous sourdough bread bowl). If you don't eat seafood, make sure to at least stop at Boudin's for some sourdough bread—the finest there is! There are a lot of homeless people around this area, but they generally keep their distance. Watch yourself at night though, make sure you don't walk it alone.

There is also an abundance of street performers around this area, who are lively and entertaining for the entire family to watch. Just be sure to throw them a dollar or two—remember, this is how they make their living. Going down to Pier 39, you can catch the Sea Lions barking away. That is nature at its best, and although stinky, the kids will love it. Also, near the sea lions you will find a cove of little shops and restaurants, among them Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Here is also where the boats take off for the tours of Alcatraz.