Credit Aquarium of the Bay
Located along the historic and breathtaking San Francisco waterfront, just two blocks East of Fisherman’s Wharf, this lively 45 acre complex is a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike, where they enjoy many of the tantalizingly nostalgic sights, smells and tastes of an old fashioned amusement park against an artist’s backdrop featuring spectacular views of the colorful 300-berth marina by the bay, the busy Bay Bridge, iconic Golden Gate and ominous Alcatraz, and a front-row seat to the antics of vocal herds of wriggling sea lions stationed on K-Dock. More than a dozen full-service restaurants, most featuring a fine sampling of fabulously fresh local seafood and scores of wonderful eateries and snack shacks ensure no one in your travel group goes hungry as you explore this landmark waterfront hotspot! Burn off a little of that lunchtime splurge with a jog up and down the keys of artist Remo Saracini’s interactive creation, the magical Musical Stairs; play hide-and-seek with fellow travelers in Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze or immortalize yourself with a personal cartoon portrait rendered just for you by local talent. Duck into Players Sports Grill & Arcade, located at the Bay end of the Pier-12,000 square feet of dining, games, drinks, stellar bay views and 200+ live feeds from around the globe afford social animals in your group prime chill time amidst that familiar sports bar buzz. The aspiring aerial acrobats amongst you will want to perfect their 20 foot backflip skills on Frequent Flyer’s bungee trampoline, while those still full of golden, delicious crab cakes and rich, homemade ice cream may wish to wander into the fabulous Aquarium of the Bay, or sit it out for a bit and recharge with a sweet turn or two on the intricately painted San Francisco Carousel and delight in the eclectic tide of Pier Promenade activity to the tune of traditional organ music as your painted panda dances and whirls your cares away. Breathtaking Bay tour and charter opportunities abound; hold onto your hats as “Rocket Boat” blasts you and your group to the Bay Bridge and beyond, or hop aboard 65 foot Kitty Kat and hit the open sea for an exciting whale tour; popular Adventure Cat sailing charters offer sea dogs wanting a more personalized view of Bay features relaxing afternoon cruises or legendary sunset sails. Specialty stores like The Fudge Shoppe, Chocolate Heaven, Wilder West, San Francisco Sock Market, The Left Handed Store, Hawaiian jeweler Na Hoku, The Pearl Factory and Club Tattoo tempt even the “Grinchiest” of wallet clenchers to crack those bills; dozens of wonderfully eclectic locally-themed gift shops offer sentimental types galaxies of perfect mementos. Whatever your group’s pleasure, the Pier promises to deliver!