Things to Do at Pier 39 in San Francisco, CA

Alan Kirk, Leaf Group

Pier 39 in San Francisco is the type of place where you can completely lose track of time, and before you know it, the afternoon is almost over. Pier 39 has a variety of activities ranging from free to moderately priced. You can spend your money at shops and restaurants and participate in activities from rides to arcades.

Street entertainers

The outdoor mall area of Pier 39 is a large stage for street performers including musical acts, magicians and comedians. The performances are free, but the performers can be rather aggressive when asking for donations, sometimes stopping in the middle of the performance to ask for money.

Sea lions

A large group of sea lions maked San Francisco's Pier 39 its home. These sea lions pull themselves up on the small docks just off the shopping area and bark and "sing" to entertain the guests walking along the pier throughout the day.


In the middle of Pier 39 stands an old fashioned carousel similar to those that you can find on the boardwalk in other beach towns. For $5, as of 2010, you can enjoy a short ride on the carousel. It's a popular attraction for children shopping with their parents.

The Pearl Factory

The Pearl Factory a jewelry store, but it offers a twist to make it a popular tourist activity on Pier 39. The shop has oysters in a container of water, and for $15, as of 2010, guests choose one oyster from the collection and open it. The pearl inside the oyster is theirs to keep, or the guest can have it attached to a pendant for a cost of $20 to $60 as of 2010. The entertainment factor is watching people celebrate when finding a large pearl, or the look of frustration when finding a small one.rnrnPearl Factoryrn39 Pier # P10rnSan Francisco, CA

The Blue and Gold Fleet

The Blue and Gold Fleet is an assortment of boats that takes guests on tours of the San Francisco Bay. Boats offer experiences ranging from speed boat rides to tales of terror as tourists circle Alcatraz. For a more relaxed experience, boats will take you on an hour long tour of the bay or to Angel Island, where tourists can have a picnic or explore the island.rnrnBlue and Gold FleetrnThe Embarcadero at Beach StreetrnSan Francisco, CA

Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze

As of 2010, Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze cost $5, and provides as much entertainment as you want for that cost. The fee allows you to leave the maze of mirrors anytime you wish during the day, completing it as often as you can. Photography is permitted within the maze, but food and drink is not. The assortment of colors within the maze adds to the challenge as you try to find your way out.