***NOTE this article below was from 2020 during early COVID 19. Please visit this updated article for things to do at PIER 39 2022***
(Updated: September 17, 2020)
Ready to get out of the house? It can be tough to figure what is open and where you will feel comfortable these days. Read on for helpful tips you’ll want to know before vising PIER 39.
From safety and dining to free parking and Alcatraz advice – we’ve got you covered!
1. HEALTH & SAFETY
Social Distancing
PIER 39 is the perfect 2020 outing. The pier is an open-air marketplace that monitors guest count to ensure everyone has space to socially distance.
Pro tip: Want to have the most space? Visit mid-week. The pier is busiest on Saturdays.
Masks Required
Guests are required to wear face coverings (3 years+). Forgot your mask? No worries, you can purchase one near the entrance.
Cleaning & Sanitation
Expect frequent cleaning and sanitization on the major touchpoints throughout the property and 20 hand sanitization stations.
2. WHERE TO EAT
You’ll find incredible new outdoor dining options! The following PIER 39 restaurants adhere to strict health and safety protocols and are open for outdoor dining 11am-8pm, 7 days a week:
Fog Harbor Fish House offers outdoor dining with incredible Golden Gate Bridge views and is ranked Top 5 Seafood Restaurants in San Francisco by Yelp and #4 Best Everyday Dining in the United States by TripAdvisor. Reserve now.
Pier Market Seafood Restaurant offers outdoor patio dining with harbor views and heat lamps, mesquite-grilled 100% sustainable seafood and award-winning clam chowder. Reserve now.
Wipeout Bar & Grill is a fun California surf-themed restaurant with an outdoor patio situated for prime people-watching serving burgers, hand-tossed pizzas, tacos, burritos, salads, Fish n Chips and a full bar. Reserve now.
Reservations & Waitlists
Reservations are recommended but all restaurants also welcome walk-in guests.
Pro tip: Skip the wait. Can’t find a reservation at the time you want? Add yourself to restaurant waitlists before you arrive using the Yelp app to skip the line.
Where to Eat Breakfast
Biscoff Coffee Corner opens at 8am daily serving to-go coffee, pastries and everyone’s favorite cookie with coffee – Biscoff!
Wipeout Bar & Grill is open for outdoor breakfast 9am-11am, 7 days a week with full-service breakfast favorites.
3. PARKING
Avoiding public transportation these days? Drive and park in the PIER 39 Garage (discount tip below.) To get there, Drive north on Embarcadero past North Point Street, and make sure you’re in the left-turn-only lane. Turn left onto beach street and the entrance to the garage will be on your right.
Pro tip: Park on the 3rd level and take the pedestrian bridge (next to the level 3 elevators) which takes you over the street and straight onto PIER 39.
1 Hour Free Parking
Get 1 hour free when you dine at Fog Harbor Fish House, Wipeout Bar & Grill, Crab House, Eagle Cafe, or Pier Market Seafood Restaurant. (PIER 39 garage is $9/hour)
$10 Flat Rate All Day Parking
Planning to spend all day at the pier? Make an advanced reservation and get a flat rate $10 all day weekday or $15 flat rate all day weekends. Now THAT’S a good deal.
4. WHAT TO WEAR
Since PIER 39 is outdoors with bay breezes, we recommend bringing a warm coat and a hat and sunglasses. It can get quite chilly as the wind picks up, but it can also get hot if you are sitting in the sun.
5. FREE ATTRACTIONS
Sea Lions
The perfect COVID-safe attraction? Watching the sea lions in the fresh bay air at a distance from others. The best place to view the famous sea lions is the end of the pier, left-hand side.
Musical Stairs
Check out these free fun musical stairs that play a note each time you step! The best time you’ll ever have climbing stairs and the perfect setting for your next TikTok or Reels. Find the stairs halfway down the pier, across from Pier Market Seafood Restaurant.
Learn PIER 39 Fun Facts
As you walk the pier, keep an eye out for more than 10 plaques containing fun facts and photos on buildings around the entire pier.
6. MISC TIPS TO KNOW
Pet Friendly
Dogs are allowed on PIER 39 with a leash. Pro tip: Fog Harbor Fish House, Pier Market Seafood Restaurant and Wipeout Bar & Grill welcome well-behaved dogs to sit with their family when dining outdoors.
Phone Charging
That moment when you’re capturing photo and video memories– and your phone dies. The worst. Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House, and Wipeout Bar & Grill provide portable charging to diners during their meal upon request. iPhone and Android compatible.
Free Wifi
Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House and Wipeout Bar & Grill provide complimentary wifi to dine-in guests.
Alcatraz
Alcatraz tours are open and tours take off .3 miles down from PIER 39 on the Embarcadero (about a 5 minute walk).
Attractions & Stores
All stores and many attractions are open! For the most update-to-date list, check this PIER 39 web page for open attractions and open stores (Click the “Open Now tab).
To read more about PIER 39 safety protocols, check their blog post here.
We hope these tips help you confidently plan your best visit to PIER 39. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email [email protected].