San Francisco

One of the best places to visit in San Francisco is Pier 39! There are shops, art galleries, and restaurants there, and it is a great place to find some souvenirs. Towards the back part of Pier 39, you can watch sea lions resting and fighting and see the view of Alcatraz from a distance. On the weekends, there are street performers at the piers. Near Pier 39, you can charter a boat to Alcatraz, take a bay cruise, or book a trip to Sausalito for the afternoon. It is important that you book in advance to guarantee a spot on most bay cruises or trips to Alcatraz. A short distance from the pier, you can visit Ghirardelli Square where you can buy some delicious chocolate, but get there early because the line is really long. They have a coffee house at Girardelli and a few shops. Near the Pacific Ocean by the pier, there is a small beach area. The water is cold but you can go swimming. You might find someone balancing rocks along the shore. There is a Rainforest Cafe close to Pier 39 that is worth a visit to and also a wax museum nearby. You can rent bikes close to the Pier. Plan to spend at least a day or two near the Pier. There is plenty to do!

Seagull at Pier 39

Sea lions at Pier 39

View at Pier 39

A park near Pier 39

A seagull near the ocean

Buildings near the park

View of Coit Tower

Pier 39

Pier 39

The Cannery

Cable car

Ghirardelli Square

View from Pier 39

View from Pier 39

Lighthouse (view from Pier 39)

The Cannery

The Cannery