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San Francisco: Pier 39, Aquarium & Embarcadero

April 24, 2018 //  by Di Hickman//  28 Comments

When I visited San Francisco back in 1998 one of the things I vividly remember was the Sea Lions at Pier 39. Naturally this was the first place I wanted to revisit when I found myself in March exploring San Francisco alone. After googling directions I planned my route, via Union Square, Chinatown, Washington Square and finally Pier 39 and the Embarcadero. It was a 1.8 mile walk and should take around 40 minutes.

SAN FRANCISCO

Union Square

Maybe my memory is failing, it’s possible I’m 46, but I remember Union Square being green. Grassy, with trees. Now it’s a huge concrete expanse with coffee shops, underground parking and tourist buses. It’s a must see purely to check off the bucket list but really there is nothing here. Other than some prime people watching. Stores around here are typically high end designer stores and include: Rolex, Alexander McQueen, Tiffany, Cartier, Vera Wang, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and YSL. Nothing of interest to me, though some of the window displays were fun to look at.

san francisco

China Town

The hotel we were originally going to before switching to the Adagio was at the China Town entrance. I LOVE Asian Art so I was eager to check out the area. Covering 24 square blocks, Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest in the whole of the USA. It’s also the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia. The Dragon Gate entrance on Grant/Bush is probably the most iconic so naturally I started my exploration there. Lots of great Asian art stores here, with a few tourist shops thrown in too.

san francisco

san francisco

Washington Square

My walk to Pier 39 took me past Washington Square. Flanked on one side by the beautiful St Peter and Paul’s Church, this park was a welcome surprise of green from an otherwise concrete jungle. The park has a statue of Benjamin Franklin but I was immediately drawn to the sheer amount of people in a small park at 10am in the morning.So many Asian people staying mobile walking around the park, and doing Tai Chi. If I had time I would have loved to join in, it looked so peaceful.

san francisco

san francisco

Pier 39

One of the quintessential things about visiting San Francisco is Pier 39. Home of tourist attractions like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, stores, restaurants, the aquarium and the main attraction: The Sea Lions. The end of the Pier is also a great place for photos of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, both are visible from here. Along with the shops, restaurants, and other attractions it’s no wonder this place is ALWAYS busy! My favorite store was a little place called Enlightenment, that sold spiritual items. Bob better thank his lucky stars we had carry on luggage only otherwise I’d have been taking more stuff home with me!

exploring san francisco alone
san francisco

san francisco

California Sea lions

Seriously the best part of Pier 39 is the Sea Lions. Head to the end of the Pier and turn left and you can’t miss them. There are 100’s of them sunning themselves on the docks, and playing in the water. Honestly I spent more time watching the Sea Lions that pursuing the stores. I even live streamed them on my Instagram. Watching them interact, play and seeing their different characters is just so fun. I went back to watch them more than once during the trip.

exploring san francisco alone

san francisco

san francisco

san francisco

San Francisco Bay Aquarium

One of the main attractions at Pier 39 beside the Sea Lions is the Aquarium of the Bay. I wanted to give the Aquarium it’s own post so I can fully share photos from the trip but really the Aquarium needs putting in with the Pier and I have  more than enough photos to cover a couple of posts. Suffice to say you can make your way around the Aquarium in about 45 minutes. It really doesn’t take long as it isn’t that big, the enclosures are small and so there isn’t that much to see. Worth a visit if you have the CityPass otherwise skip it and head to the Academy of Sciences instead. Definitely a good way to spend some time if it’s raining or windy but expect it to be busy.

san francisco aquarium

san francisco aquarium

san francisco aquarium

san francisco aquarium

san francisco aquarium

Embarcadero

The east side of the bay from ATT park to Pier 39 is known for the Embarcadero. This three mile stretch has the San Francisco Bay Ferry Building, a park and lots of scenic pierside sculptures, art and landmarks. The Exploratorium is along this stretch, along with the San Francisco Belle, and Pier 33 where you can visit Alcatraz! Opposite Pier 23 you can see Colt Tower looming on the horizon, accessible by the Greenwich Steps. Not for the faint hearted as this is a STEEP climb!

san francisco

san francisco

san francisco

san francisco

san francisco

san francisco

More on San Francisco to come including more about the Aquarium of the Bay, the Academy of sciences, Museums and art galleries. See my previous posts for info on the delicious vegan food we ate or exploring San Francisco alone.

 

Questions:

Which of the above places would you most like to visit?

Where is your favorite place to go in San Francisco?

If you could visit any City in the world where would you go?

Previous Post: «exploring san francisco alone Exploring San Francisco alone
Next Post: San Francisco Asian Art Museum vs MOMA asian art museum»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie

    April 28, 2018 at 6:05 pm

    Havent been anywhere outside the state but I would love to explore san fran one day! I have a few family members there and would definitely love to visit soon! The Bay Aquarium is probably where Ill go to right away

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 9:04 am

      My top tip: Skip the aquarium and go the academy of sciences.

      Reply
  2. Msddah

    April 27, 2018 at 5:50 pm

    This post just took me back to my experience in San Fransisco. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and thanks for talking me back!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Memories are the best, and photos just give us a glimpse into the past!

      Reply
  3. Holly

    April 27, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:59 am

      I had a really fun time!

      Reply
  4. Melanie williams

    April 27, 2018 at 9:48 am

    I am over in the United Kingdom, but this looks like a great family day out x

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:58 am

      I go across the pond often! I’m originally from Derby!

      Reply
  5. Kara

    April 27, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Wow! This looks like such a fun trip! I really want to go there someday and see the Golden Gate bridge and the aquarium!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:58 am

      View of the Golden Gate bridge was cool. I prefered the academy of sciences to the aquarium

      Reply
  6. Jessica Hughes

    April 27, 2018 at 8:53 am

    I’ve been to San Francisco but I didn’t get to Pier 39 and now I am regretting that so much! I would love to see the sea lions, so I will definitely make sure I get there if I am ever back there.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:58 am

      Oh my gosh so sorry you missed it!

      Reply
  7. Vu Ha

    April 27, 2018 at 5:45 am

    So wonderful! The creatures here are plentiful. San Francisco is a good place to visit.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:57 am

      Yep so much wildlife!

      Reply
  8. Marie

    April 27, 2018 at 4:06 am

    I have never been to California, but it’s on my bucket list. I had no idea there were so many sea lions just lounging around! That’s fabulous!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:57 am

      Yep there are about 1700 in san francisco just lounging around. California is a very versatile place!

      Reply
  9. Nikki Arnold

    April 26, 2018 at 7:38 pm

    I would love to go see the sea lions!! These are some really cool spots in San Francisco.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:56 am

      There really are some great places to visit!

      Reply
  10. Kate Werthmann

    April 26, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    I love that you can see Alcatraz so well! I want to go there one day!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:56 am

      Prepping my post about alcatraz! It was so cool to visit!

      Reply
  11. Preeti

    April 26, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Omg I would love to visit this aquarium. I ahve never ever been to one. And I have never seen a starfish.. I always dream to seeing one.. such pretty creatures…LOVE

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:56 am

      You’ve never seen a starfish? Im prepping my post on the academy of sciences where you get to TOUCH the starfish!!!!

      Reply
  12. Cristina pop

    April 26, 2018 at 9:52 am

    To be able to watch the sealions is amazing! I would love to visit San Francisco once day! Your pics are really amazing!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      May 3, 2018 at 8:55 am

      I honestly could watch them all day!!!

      Reply
  13. Stephanie

    April 26, 2018 at 8:05 am

    I was in SF two years ago and loved watching the sea lions and the otters play! I was only there for a day, so didn’t get to see a whole lot, but I would love to go back sometime.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 26, 2018 at 8:41 am

      Yes the sea lions are one of my favorite memories

      Reply
  14. Jess (tonyandkimoutdooradventures)

    April 25, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    I love the layered feel of SF. Its hilly and got a sense of funkiness to it. The people are friendly and I felt safe. It just seems like there is always something to do. Some cities don’t have the feel. I enjoyed biking over the Golden Gate Bridge.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      April 26, 2018 at 8:41 am

      Oh it’s definitely got a funky arty vibe!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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