| You may be traveling as a couple or as a | | | | offer a variety of tours, starting with a |
| family. You may be teen-age or middle-age. | | | | simple one-hour "overview" tour of the bay |
| You may enjoy a peppy, "let's do everything!" | | | | and its islands. Other specialty tours are |
| type of trip...or prefer to relax while | | | | available, such as sunset tours, multi-island |
| you're on vacation. No matter what your | | | | tours, Golden Gate Bridge tours, etc.One very |
| touring situation, you'll undoubtedly find | | | | popular tour is the Alcatraz Prison Tour, |
| something to suit your interest at San | | | | which is offered only by the Blue and Gold |
| Francisco's delightful Pier 39.Pier 39 is a | | | | Fleet. You'll actually take a boat out to |
| shopping, dining and entertainment complex | | | | "The Rock," debark, then walk among the same |
| that has dozens of options from which you can | | | | cell blocks which once housed |
| choose. However, even if you did nothing but | | | | maximum-security prisoners! This tour much |
| sit on a park bench at Pier 39, you'd have an | | | | in demand, and spots are limited. If you'd |
| enjoyable day. Pier 39 sits on the | | | | like to go, make your reservations as soon as |
| waterfront's edge with a stunning view of | | | | possible---maybe even from home, before |
| both the city and the San Francisco Bay. | | | | leaving on your vacation!After your San |
| You'll smell the salt air, hear the squeal of | | | | Francisco Bay tour, you'll surely be hungry |
| sea gulls, watch ferries and tour boats | | | | for lunch. Head back to Pier 39 itself for a |
| coming and going, and enjoy viewing a | | | | delicious seafood luncheon...which you'll |
| resident colony of sea lions that calls the | | | | find is the specialty of not one, but a |
| water around Pier 39 "home."In fact, spending | | | | NUMBER of Pier 39's restaurants! If you're |
| some time admiring the view from a bayside | | | | not in the mood for seafood, don't worry. |
| bench would make a great way to start off | | | | You'll find both American and Italian cuisine |
| your day. You'll be facing so many options | | | | served at Pier 39. One budget idea is to |
| ahead for you, that you might need some time | | | | head to North Shore Pizza, where one of their |
| to decide! Several restaurants at Pier 39 | | | | tasty extra-large pizza pies will fill your |
| are open for breakfast...and, of course, | | | | entire family!After lunch, you can spend time |
| you'll dine with a view of the bay from your | | | | exploring the shops and activities of Pier |
| table. After your morning meal, there may | | | | 39. You'll find over 100 specialty stores |
| still be a chill in the air; if so, why not | | | | which make for great browsing...and souvenir |
| start by touring the "can't miss" Aquarium of | | | | hunting! Younger kids will love riding on |
| the Bay.At San Francisco's Aquarium of the | | | | the stunning double-decker carousel at the |
| Bay, you'll enjoy attractive exhibits | | | | end of the pier. Older kids can get lost for |
| showcasing marine life from a variety of the | | | | hours at the pier's game arcade. For a bit |
| ocean's zones. You'll be able to walk | | | | wilder fun, your family can jump on the |
| through TWO clear viewing tunnels, where | | | | "bungee trampoline," or sit in the |
| specimens will swim and slither to your left, | | | | motion-movie ride...where your chairs will |
| right, and above you. You'll see large | | | | move in synchronized timing with events in |
| tanks, small tanks and touch tanks. You may | | | | the film. You'll feel like you're really IN |
| attend informational programs, or simply ask | | | | the situations that the movie portrays!By the |
| as many questions as you like of the | | | | time evening comes, your group will leave |
| aquarium's staff. You're certain to leave | | | | tired, but happy. Getting home will be easy, |
| with a renewed awe of our swimming | | | | too. To come and go from Pier 39, you can |
| friends...and knowing more than when you | | | | hop a ferry, board a bus, or catch the MUNI. |
| entered!As the day warms up, you may wish to | | | | Many folks simply walk to their |
| take a tour of the San Francisco Bay, which | | | | cars...parked conveniently at the Pier 39 |
| is easily arranged from the piers adjacent to | | | | parking garage, just across the street from |
| Pier 39. Budget travelers may enjoy riding | | | | all the action!Author Vicki Funes is a |
| the ferry boats across the bay. There's no | | | | California native and travel enthusiast. For |
| narration aboard a ferry; but the "price is | | | | further details about the San Francisco |
| right," and the ferries start running much | | | | attractions discussed in this article--and to |
| earlier (and quit running much later) than | | | | see dozens more ideas for planning a fun |
| the boats of nearby tour companies.To enjoy a | | | | California vacation--check out the "San |
| narrated tour, you may choose a voyage on | | | | Francisco Road Trip" page of her website, |
| either the "Red and White Fleet" or the "Blue | | | | "Family Vacation Getaways at Los Angeles |
| and Gold Fleet" boats. Both bay touring | | | | Theme Parks. |
| companies are located near Pier 39, and both | | | | |