Underwater World is an Aquarium that is set up to look like dive tunnels. You walk through tunnels as sea life swims all around you. My husband and I saw great schools of silver anchovies teaming above our heads, and we marveled at the size of a giant red octopus in the tanks. There were many sharks swimming about as well, though I understand they are well fed and rarely prey upon their aquarium mates. Admission into the aquarium was $12.95/person. Kids under 3 were free. There was also a family package available that gave a little price break for those traveling with children. The admission was a little pricey for the length of time one could spend in the aquarium, but I would still recommend Underwater World. My husband and I had a great time touching the leopard sharks in the petting pools. Any child would have loved that experience. I greatly enjoyed looking at all of the different fish in the tanks, and I appreciated a reprieve from the cold wind that was blowing off the bay the day we ducked into the aquarium. I also did not mind my ticket cost too much as I read that proceeds help allow thousands of school children living in San Francisco to participate in Marine Parks in the Bay Area for free.

Pier 39 is full of arcades, stores, a carousel and fun activity. It was my favorite part of Fisherman's Wharf. There are sea lions hanging out on the docks, and these are fun (and free) to see. My husband and I also stopped in an arcade to play a couple games of air hockey. The atmosphere definitely brought the kid out in both of us, and I would suggest you at least walk-through to see if anything is of interest to you.

Pier 39 is admittedly a crowded and commercial place. Adults may prefer to take it in small doses, interspersing time at the Pier with time at one of the many fine restaurants along the Bay. Still, it can be fun to let loose and eat like a kid again. Cotton candy, chocolates, ice cream, hot dogs, and every other good-tasting, bad-for-you food can be had here. Especially worth the wait is a freshly made waffle cone filled with Dreyers ice cream (known as Edy's in the Midwest and East). On a recent trip to the Pier, I ate more cone than ice cream. They're that good. Also available for your shopping 'needs' are stores selling Irish and Scottish items, Russian lacquerware, puppets, SF souvenirs, and more. Along with Chinatown, Pier 39 is a prime place to collect trinkets. The one thing you mustn't miss is the sea lions. Sunning themselves on the docks, they'll occassionally bark and put on a show. Best of all, it's free and away from the commercialism of the rest of the Pier. But remember, the sea lions migrate to the Channel Islands to breed during June and July. It's a cruel irony that they disappear at the height of the tourist season. It almost makes you wonder if they don't know something the tourists don't, namely that SF is a much better time (and warmer) in the spring and fall.

This is a tiny store packed with some of the most beautiful Babushka dolls I have ever seen!! The sales lady was extremely friendly and let me touch and admire the dolls without being the least bit pushy or impatient. Some of my favorites included a set with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and a set of Babushka cats!! The store also has jewelry boxes and lots of other collectibles and trinkets. Some of the woodwork pieces are amazingly intricate. The shop is very interesting and quaint. I really enjoyed looking at the dolls and talking with the lady working there. The prices seemed reasonable, but I am no expert in Russian collectibles.

Pier 39 is exactly that - a pier. At the same time, it is a pier like no other!! It is an area with shopping, restaurants, and local attractions. Many of the cruises and tours depart from right in front of this pier. One of the most famous sights along the pier is the California sea lions that often sun themselves on the wooden rafts that float near the pier's side. There are benches on the pier that make it easy to spend time watching the animals enjoy the rays and adoration. I enjoyed a ride on Pier 39's Venetian Carousel. Carousels are always fun, but one on a pier in San Fran is memory-making material for sure!! Pier 39 is a very lively place. There are always lots of tourists and lots of activity along The Embarcadero. When I was walking around, there was a Jamaican steel drum band playing. Their music provided the perfect sountrack for my afternoon.