Is Pier 39 Worth Visiting?

Pier 39 consistently tops the list as one of the top attractions in San Francisco seeing around 15 million people per year. Despite being a top attraction, many locals and tourists called this pier overrated, stating there are much better places to go in San Francisco.

With this in mind, I visited Pier 39 with my excitement high and expectations low, here are my takeaways.

Is Pier 39 a Tourist Trap?

When looking at the definition of a tourist trap, Pier 39 seems to fit this perfectly. Pier 39 is clearly built and designed for tourists, and there are countless ways to spend money.

Even though Pier 39 San Francisco is a tourist trap, it doesn’t mean you should avoid it. As a tourist, I was thoroughly impressed with Pier 39 and will absolutely visit again.

The pier had character, charm, and great views. Pier 39 also has an endless selection of food, souvenirs, and attractions; the perfect combination for any tourist. The rest of the article will cover everything you need to know before visiting Pier 39 from my experience.

How much does it cost to visit Pier 39?

Pier 39 is absolutely free to visit, as there is no entrance fee. As Pier 39 is centrally located between Ghirardelli Square and the Ferry Building, you’ll most likely walk by Pier 39. My recommendation is to at least walk through as there’s no reason not to.

For those driving to Pier 39, the parking does cost money. Expect prices to be upwards of $12 an hour or $60 a day. This makes sense as San Francisco is a dense city. With San Francisco seeing the second-best public transportation in the United States, I’d recommend leaving your car behind.

Is Pier 39 Overpriced

With the entrance to Pier 39 being free, they’ve got to charge you somehow. Even by San Francisco standards, Pier 39 is definitely overpriced. However, the premium you pay might be worth it for the convenience and experience.

I wouldn’t go on a shopping spree at Pier 39, but if you’re looking for a quick souvenir, carousel ride, or meal, I’d say go for it! I’ve listed my favorite restaurants and attractions below so make sure to check those out.

What is so special about Pier 39?

Pier 39 doesn’t get its popularity and praise for nothing. To start, the pier provides fantastic views of Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline. The pier also has unique features like a sea lion viewing area, an aquarium, and a 7D experience. Finally, Pier 39 has San Francisco’s most dense cluster of restaurants, shops, and attractions. This small pier has countless things to do and explore, making for a fun experience.

Pier 39 Hotels

If you’re looking for a hotel on the pier, you’ll be quite out of luck as building a structure that large over water isn’t feasible. Luckily, there are several hotels in nearby Fisherman’s Wharf, with the closest hotel being just 2 blocks away.

My initial goal was to stay in the Fisherman’s Wharf district as it is near all the popular tourist spots, but I quickly realized that rooms here are quite expensive. I’ll list Pier 39’s closest hotels as well as some great hotels slightly further, including the hotel that I chose.

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

Hotel Zephyr is the closest hotel to Pier 39 with pier views being easily visible from much of the hotel. The 4-star hotel is on one of San Francisco’s most lively streets: Jefferson Street. Here, you’ll find countless shops, restaurants, and attractions like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Madame Tussauds just a block away.

The hotel is full of fun, with an 8,000 square foot outdoor space named The Yard, a game room featuring Pool, Ping Pong, and Shuffleboard, and a spacious lobby with free-to-use computers, a seating lounge, and bike racks.

The 50-year-old hotel saw a $32 million transformation in 2015, modernizing the interior of the hotel. Hotel Zephyr is also the official hotel of Pier 39, meaning that using the link above will give you an extra discount.

Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf

Just two blocks south is Hotel Zoe, a sleek and modern 4-star hotel in the Fisherman’s Wharf district. Built in 1990, this hotel is the newest in the district and completed a $16 million renovation upon opening in San Francisco.

Similar to Hotel Zephyr, you’ll find a courtyard with games and seating as well as a fire pit for smores. Unique perks include a $15 daily credit to the nearby Pescatore Trattoria restaurant, free 2-hour bike rentals, and concierge service.

Infinity Hotel San Francisco

The Infinity Hotel is conveniently located between Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge, putting both icons in walking distance. The hotel is on the famous Lombard Street, known for its winding turns and expensive bay houses.

Several restaurants are located right around The Infinity Hotel, including Twisted St. Cafe which is connected to the hotel. This restaurant is a popular spot known for its coffee, smoothies, pastries, and breakfast delights.

The hotel is packed with many cool features, including an indoor/outdoor lobby, courtyards, and a rooftop with bay views. The Infinity Hotel is also newly built, having opened in 2021. With this, many of the rooms have been modernized, raising the look and feel of the hotel. The Infinity Hotel is part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, meaning that staying here can earn you Hilton’s coveted rewards points.

The LINE San Francisco

The LINE Hotel in San Francisco is the hotel I chose to stay at, and I cannot recommend it more. For starters, the entire building was built from the ground up starting in 2019, having opened in 2022. The modern art-deco theme throughout the hotel and in the rooms provides an unmatched vibe, solidifying its rank as a 4-star hotel.

The LINE was also weirdly cheaper than many hotels in other areas, even though it’s far fancier, newer, and nicer. There’s a reason for this: its proximity to the Tenderloin. I cover all this and much more in my LINE San Francisco review.

Airbnb

If you can’t seem to find the right hotel for the right price, try looking for an Airbnb. Airbnb’s are oftentimes cheaper, larger, and more unique. A quick search showed several Airbnbs near Pier 39 with thousands more around San Francisco.

Pier 39 Restaurants

One thing Pier 39 has a lot of is restaurants. The 45-acre pier has 12 restaurants with many more food shops and vendors.

The only restaurant I can speak for is the Crab House at Pier 39. The food and vibes were good, and the views were amazing. You can expect to spend around $30 per person, with the views and location making it worth it.

If no place on Pier 39 sounds good to you, there are hundreds of places to eat at the nearby Fisherman’s Wharf. I’ll list my favorites below.

Pier 39 Attractions

One thing Pier 39 is known well for is their attractions. Everything at the pier is aimed at family fun, with big crowds being common. I’ll put some of my favorite attractions down below.

I feel like the Sea Lion Viewing Area deserves its own paragraph as it is just so unique. For someone from the East Coast, Sea Lions are something I’ve never seen before. Many of the docks have been overtaken by Sea Lions, turning the area into a popular tourist attraction. Out of all the activities listed, this is the only free one, so enjoy!

Tips When Visiting Pier 39

Before visiting Pier 39, there are things you should know to maximize your experience. I’ll list 5 Pier 39 tips down below.

1. Avoid Peak Times

When I say Pier 39 can get crowded, I mean it. I visited in March on a Wednesday and I can assure you the place was insanely busy. I can’t even imagine what it’s like on weekends.

My tip, if you want to visit the attractions and walk around, avoid weekends or afternoons. The place will be insanely packed and long lines will form for virtually everything. If you’re eating at a restaurant, visiting on a weekend afternoon might be fine, but make sure to have those reservations.

2. Make Reservations

Although not required, reservation can help make your day go smoother. I didn’t have a particular place that I wanted to try, so reservations were not needed; But if you have a place you want to try, book reservations as these restaurants can and do get full.

If you need tips on where to eat, scroll up to see some places that I recommend.

3. Save Time for Fisherman’s Wharf

Pier 39 is part of the larger Fisherman’s Wharf region, and there is so much to do here. A quick walk east will bring you past the Sourdough Bakery, ​​Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, USS Pampanito Museum, and countless more. Plus, you’ll get fantastic views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge along the way.

4. Don’t Overshop

Pier 39 has so many shops and things to buy, the problem is that many of these items are insanely overpriced. If you’re looking for cheaper tourist items, head south to Chinatown where you can get high-quality goods for a fraction of the price.

5. Plan the Rest of Your Day

Even though Pier 39 has many things to do, chances are that it won’t take your whole day. Once finished with the pier, I’d recommend staying in that area as there’s so much to do within walking distance.

Exploring Fisherman’s Wharf would be an obvious first option, reference tip 3 for more details. After that, you can either head southeast to the Embarcadero or west past the Palace of Fine Arts to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Even though Pier 39 to the Golden Gate Bridge is walkable, renting a bike would speed up the process. I made a full blog post on biking the Golden Gate Bridge which I know will help you out tremendously. With a bike, you might even be able to bike from the Golden Gate Bridge to Lands End. This trail is absolutely beautiful and something you can’t miss. For that reason, Lands End Trail might deserve a separate day.

What is the difference between Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf?

The difference between Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf is that one is a district and another is a pier. This means that Pier 39 is inside the Fisherman’s Wharf district. This is why I emphasize you tour the Fisherman’s Wharf district, as there’s much more to here than just Pier 39.

Is Pier 39 Worth Visiting?

In Summary, Pier 39 is worth visiting but with low expectations. The locals’ complaints about Pier 39 being a tourist trap with high prices and overcrowding are true, but as a tourist myself, I found the pier to be quite fun!