Jack London Square

Pier 39 remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. There are a wide variety of family-friendly ways to have fun on the pier, including stores and restaurants, an aquarium, a carousel, free entertainment and special events. The active port also is the starting point for some cruises and ferries to various Bay Area destinations.Must see and do at Pier 39Be sure to go watch the colony of sea lions who reside on K-Dock. The sea lions are most plentiful in winter, but a group is almost always around. The street performers and daily music will entertain all ages, and children especially will love the pier's carousel.Types of stores at Pier 39Pier 39 boasts a wide variety of shops, ranging from the conventional to the quirky. A number of shops specialize in San Francisco souvenirs, and other shops exclusively offer candy, magnets, water massages, and even products for left-handers. The shopping is casual and oriented at tourists.Food at Pier 39There are several casual restaurants and stores that sell sweets and desserts, making Pier 39 a great place to grab a bite to eat during a full day of sightseeing. Many restaurants specialize in seafood, with Fog Harbor Fish House being a particularly popular choice.Parking and public transportation at Pier 39A parking garage is located at Pier 39. Parking is expensive, but it's possible to get discounted validated parking by eating at a Pier 39 restaurant. The historic F-Market streetcar and a few bus lines stop right in front of the pier's entrance.Other places to visit near Pier 39Tours to Alcatraz Island leave a short walk away at Pier 33. Fisherman's Wharf, which has additional shops, attractions, and seafood restaurants, is also only a couple of blocks away.Insider tip to visitors for Pier 39Weather tends to be cool and windy on the pier year round, so be sure to bring a jacket and wear long pants.Author's bio: Kacie Berghoef is a freelance writer who has lived in San Francisco since 2011. Stay in touch with Kacie on Twitter at @kberghoef.