I would be surprised if you were to find any locals here. This is as touristy as Waikiki Beach. I try to avoid this entire area. The restaurants here are also very cookie cutter. Please rate my entry, I need the points. Thanks!

Personally, I have seen enough sea lions for a lifetime, but my friend Tanya absolutely loved watching them. You can pass them when taking the Blue & Gold Fleet tour, but behind Pier 39 there are benches and crowds of people usually watching them also. Sometimes they are a bit funny to watch as they fight and play with each other, but mostly I fight them to pose or sleep. It costs nothing to watch the sea lions or take photos.

http://www.pier39.com/

San Francisco is built around the Bay, and with the Golden Gate Bridge one of the main tourist attractions, sailing around the Bay is a good way to familiarize yourself with the city as well as see the sights. In theory. We bought this ticket as part of our CityPass, and having failed to get tickets to Alcatraz, decided to go on the cruise instead. My tip is to make sure you go on a clear day.

The cruise was nice to start off with. We left from Fisherman's Wharf, getting a good look at the sea lions on the way. We then sailed along Golden Gate Park, with the audio commentary explaining what we were seeing. The closer to the bridge we got, the mistier it got, and the weather turned absolutely freezing. The automated guide continued, telling us what we were seeing now--except we couldn't see a thing, even when we were right under the bridge. It turned into a bit of a comedy at that point. It was quite cool in a spooky way, as the mist was so thick and everything was so still. It was good to get back towards Fisherman's Wharf, though, and warm up again.

Bay Cruise is good way to see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and the general San Francisco Bay Area when you have limited time, as it's a non-stop cruise. The cruise takes off from Pier 39, which like a lot of Fisherman's Wharf, is very touristy.

Inside and outside seating are both available on the cruise, and you can quench your thirst and hunger at the onboard snack bar. I suggest taking a cruise that sails during the sunset; the orange of the setting sun deepens the orange of the Golden Gate even more. I was able to take some excellent pictures.

For the $20 I paid, I was also able to see Coit Tower on top of Telegraph Hill, Ghirardelli Square, the Presidio, the Bay Bridge, and the sea lions on the pier - all from the bay. One day I'll go back and see all those places up close.

The cruise also provides a narrative, giving insight into the history of some of the landmarks you see from the boat.

I recommend the cruise if you have limited time. If you have abundant time, take a bike ride over the Golden Gate and the night tour on Alcatraz Island to get the best experiences.

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.