Harri & Mag: Pier 39 San Francisco

PIER 39 is a 45-acre waterfront complex that is a gathering place for millions of San Francisco locals and visitors. In addition to its 14 full-service restaurants, 90+ shops and popular attractions, PIER 39 is home to a 5-acre waterfront park and a 300-berth marina. Located along the historic San Francisco Waterfront, PIER 39 is at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf district and is close to North Beach, Chinatown, and The Embarcadero. Blue & Gold Fleet's bay cruises leave from Pier 39.

I visited Pier 39 when I was in San Francisco for a conference several years ago. Although it was in July, the wind was so brisk on the pier that it was downright cold!

In August of 1977 PIER 39 broke ground using authentic 1910 wood from Piers 34 and 3 to erect the new structure. By January, 1989, PIER 39 was named the third most-visited attraction in the country by USA Today. October, 2013 marked the 35^th anniversary of PIER 39 on San Francisco’s historic waterfront.

PIER 39 is known for its spectacular views of San Francisco Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Angel Island, and Alcatraz.

California Sea Lions have been always present in San Francisco Bay. They started to haul out on docks of Pier 39 in September, 1989. The sea lions at Pier 39 have become a tourist attraction in their own right.

Sea lions on Pier 39

Although fluctuations in the number of sea lions at Pier 39 are dramatic, as many as 1,701 have been officially reported at one time. In November 2009 the sea lions that had lived at the pier began to leave, and by late December 2009 nearly all were gone; a similar flux in population occurs annually, with the animals returning in the spring. Although the reason for their seasonal appearance and departure is not known for certain, but most likely they left chasing a food source, anchovies and sardines.