Welcome to San Francisco

San Francisco, one of the most iconic cities in the United States, is known for its stunning waterfront, historic landmarks, and diverse cultural attractions. Located on the west coast of California, the city boasts breathtaking views, world-famous bridges, and a vibrant atmosphere. With 6-10 hours to explore, cruise passengers can visit top landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf while enjoying the city's renowned food scene.

Cruise Docking Information

Cruise ships dock at Pier 27, San Francisco’s modern cruise terminal, or occasionally at Pier 35, both located along the Embarcadero waterfront. These terminals provide easy access to many of the city's major attractions. San Francisco is a major cruise destination for Pacific Coast, Alaska, and transpacific itineraries, welcoming thousands of visitors each year.

Pier 27, the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal, was created to provide a modern cruise terminal that will adhere closely to the new modern and operational requirements and technology of the cruise industry. This terminal is two stories high and will be the main cruise terminal of San Francisco.

Along with Pier 27, Pier 35 serves as a secondary cruise terminal. Both piers are conveniently near Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco welcomes 200,000 and more passengers every year. As well as host from 40-60 ships annually.

San Francisco has a handful of activities and sights to see! Let’s start right at the piers.

Embarcadero

The Embarcadero is where all the piers are ranging from Pier 1 to 39. Pier 27 and 35 are usually the piers where the cruise ships dock.

Right next to Pier 35 and not far from Pier 27 is the famous Pier 39! Pier 39 is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations. Pier 39, is a mini market place on a pier! There are so many different shops, a perfect area to find fun gifts from San Francisco or even silly gifts in general. As well as the many shops Pier 39 offers, there are also many dining venues.

Pier 39 could be as simple as taking a stroll to enjoy the immense beauty. Surrounded by boats and the ocean, it’s very easy to find bliss. Towards the back left of the pier is where the sea lions come out to play, sleep, and bark all day! It’s a very fascinating sight to see and the sea lions enjoy being photographed! 

Pier 39's Visitor Center is reliable and trustworthy place to book excursions. They have a list of activities to do from bay cruises, tours, and rentals. If you want to explore the city at your own pace, stop on in and grab a map!

On the Embarcadero, there are two museums. There is the Aquarium of the Bay which is conveniently right next to Pier 39. Here you can see spectacular sea life. There also is the Exploratorium where you can learn about science, art, and human perception. Full of hands on activities in both places, also a great learning experience!

Transportation Options

San Francisco has excellent public transportation, making it easy to explore the city:

• Walking: Many waterfront attractions, including Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, are within walking distance.
• Historic Cable Cars: A must-try experience, taking visitors up the city's famous steep hills.
• Muni Streetcars & Buses: The Muni system provides access to most of the city's districts.
• BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit): A fast way to reach destinations outside the city, such as the airport or Oakland.
• Taxis & Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are widely available.
• Bike Rentals & Scooters: A fun way to explore the city, especially along the waterfront.
• Ferries: Services to Alcatraz, Sausalito, and Angel Island depart from the Ferry Building.

Top Attractions and Nearby Destinations

San Francisco is packed with world-class attractions. Here are the must-visit places:

• Golden Gate Bridge: One of the most recognizable bridges in the world, with pedestrian and bike paths.
• Alcatraz Island: A historic former prison, accessible by ferry from Pier 33.
• Fisherman’s Wharf: A lively waterfront district with seafood restaurants, shops, and sea lion viewing.
• Pier 39: A popular entertainment area with shops, dining, and family attractions.
• Chinatown: The oldest and largest Chinatown in North America, filled with authentic restaurants and markets.
• Lombard Street: Known as the "crookedest street in the world," offering great city views.
• Union Square: A top shopping and dining district with luxury stores and theaters.
• Golden Gate Park (7 km/4 miles): A massive park featuring museums, gardens, and walking trails.
• Palace of Fine Arts (5 km/3 miles): A beautiful architectural landmark with a serene lagoon.
• Sausalito (13 km/8 miles): A charming seaside town just across the bay, accessible by ferry.

Local Foods

San Francisco is a foodie’s paradise, offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine. Be sure to try:

• Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl: A San Francisco classic, served at Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Dungeness Crab: Freshly caught local crab, best enjoyed steamed or in a crab sandwich.
• Mission-Style Burrito: A massive, fully loaded burrito, originally from the Mission District.
• Dim Sum: Chinatown is home to some of the best dim sum restaurants in the U.S.
• Ghirardelli Chocolate: San Francisco’s famous chocolate, perfect for souvenirs.

No matter what area of San Francisco you travel to, there is always a great restuarant near by! Some restaurants are very well known, while others are not as known but the food is just as amazing. Don't judge a restaurant by it's cover! 

You can find many different types of food: Chinese, Italian, American, Thai, and the list goes on and on. The choices are endless.

Pier 39, has many restuarants on the pier. They are all very good; there is no wrong choice! Some of the restaurant on the pier are: Hard Rock Cafe, Chowders, Crab House, Bubba Gump and many more! They also have stands that sell sweet quick bites like the Crepe Cafe or Dreyers Ice Cream Shop!

Chinatown has a handful of tasty restuarants. Some of them do not look that fabulous on the outside but the food is absolutely delicious. It's very authentic and new experience! Z &Y restaurant is one of the best for Schezuan food (very spicy). New Asia is great for a fun dim sum experience where they have people roll carts around with dimsum and other fun plates and you personally get to choose which one you want.

Japantown has some of the best authentic Japanese food around! Here you can grab a delicious bowl of miso soup, sushi, udon noodles, and their famous crepes! Everything here is done with fine precision!

Interesting Facts

San Francisco has a fascinating history and culture. Here are some interesting facts:

• The Golden Gate Bridge is not actually gold—it’s painted "International Orange" to enhance visibility.
• Alcatraz Island was once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone.
• The city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake and fire in 1906 but was quickly rebuilt.
• San Francisco is famous for its fog, creating a magical atmosphere around the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Enjoy a ride on the city's historic cable cars, a unique and scenic way to explore the hills.
• San Francisco's diverse culinary scene ranges from seafood at Fisherman's Wharf to gourmet cuisine in Nob Hill.

Geographical Position and Surroundings

San Francisco is located on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The city is famous for its steep hills, foggy weather, and scenic coastal views. The bay provides access to stunning waterfront areas, and the surrounding regions include wine country and coastal beaches.

Local Customs and Culture

San Francisco has a diverse and open-minded culture. The city is known for its progressive values, environmental awareness, and strong arts scene. Tipping is customary in restaurants, taxis, and service industries, typically around 15-20%. Casual dress is common, but layers are recommended due to the city's unpredictable weather.

Family-Friendly Activities

San Francisco is a fantastic destination for families, offering attractions for kids of all ages:

• Children up to 6 years old: Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum.
• Children 7-12 years old: Take a ferry to Alcatraz for a guided tour.
• Teenagers 13-18 years old: Explore Golden Gate Park and ride bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Downtown San Francisco that consists of Westfield Mall and many other stores also has the famous San Francisco Cable Car. Get a great mini tour on the cable car, but hang on tight!

Union Square is also a popular destination amongst travelers. Here you can shop at all the surrounding stores! As well as that, it's a great photo spot too! During the winter, there will be a huge Christmas tree on display and an ice rink!

San Francisco Chinatown holds many Chinese treasures- great authentic Chinese food, cheap fruits and vegetables, and cheaply priced souvenirs. Right next to Chinatown is North Beach, otherwise known as Little Italy! You can eat a wonderful Italian meal or grab a scoop or two of Italian gelato!