Pier 39: Free Entry & Sea Lion Watching Tips
1 - 2 h
Public Pier / Waterfront Marketplace
Opened 1978
Pier 39, San Francisco, CA, USA
Planning to visit Pier 39?
Compare ticket and city-pass options for this attraction.
Practical Visitor Info & Tips
$0.00
N/A
Open daily; individual shops and restaurants keep their own hours.
None — free, open public pier.
A public pier on Fisherman's Wharf, famous for its resident colony of wild California sea lions hauled out on the K-Dock floats, plus shops and restaurants.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General access | Free | None — open to all, daily |
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Ticket Options
$0.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Pier 39 is a public pier on Fisherman's Wharf, famous for its resident colony of wild California sea lions hauled out on the K-Dock floats since 1989, alongside shops, restaurants, and bay views.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Sea Lion Colony
Wild California sea lions have hauled out on K-Dock since 1989, in numbers that vary seasonally.
Bay & Bridge Views
Open-water views across the bay toward Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Waterfront Marketplace
Shops, restaurants, and street performers along the pier's public boardwalk.
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Do You Need a Pass Here?
Compare San Francisco PassesNo — Pier 39 is a free, open public pier, with or without any pass. Neither San Francisco CityPASS nor Go City San Francisco is needed to visit.
No pass required for entry
Free, open access to the pier and sea lion viewing at all times.
Data Provenance
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SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a ticket to see the sea lions at Pier 39?
Is a San Francisco pass needed here?
Are the sea lions always there?
Nearby & Related Attractions
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