PIER 39

Pier 39 is a two-level waterfront marketplace extending into the San Francisco Bay, characterized by its collection of wooden buildings and the constant, boisterous barking of California sea lions. Developed by entrepreneur Warren Simmons and opened on October 4, 1978, the site transformed a former cargo and fishing pier into a hub of shops, restaurants, and public observation decks. The pier was built using timber reclaimed from older structures, grounding its modern retail purpose in the history of the city's maritime infrastructure.