California Photo Scout

Pier 39

Pier 39 is a kitschy tourist mecca. Colorful storefronts, street performers and attractions lure tourists to open their wallets. It is not my first choice for San Francisco photography, but even Pier 39 will afford you some unique photographs. After you tire from the bustling life of the pier, you can retreat to the upper deck to enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants or for a more private view of the bay.

What to photograph

• Sea Lions
• Alcatraz
• Street Performers
• Children on the carrousel
• Sailboats and San Francisco Bay

How to get there

When I arrive by car, I often park in the Pier 39 Garage (37°48’29.14″N 122°24’39.25″W). This has the advantage that I can get my parking ticket validated if I buy something or eat here. Sometimes I park at this Fisherman’s Wharf lot (37°48’30.91″N 122°24’55.60″W) and walk here to enjoy the bustling street from there to here that offers many interesting shots.

San Francisco has an excellent tram system. I sometimes park my car outside the city and take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) into San Francisco. From the BART Stations you can then transfer to the tram that will take you right to Pier 39. You could also park in a cheaper area and take the tram. For a large city, the parking rates in San Francisco are still reasonable.

How to photograph Pier 39

Pier 39 Carrousel and Stage

Pier 39 is easy to photograph. There is always something happening here, making this a perfect place to hone in on your street photography skills. It is easy to blend with the crowd. Towards the end of the pier you have great views of the Bay and Alcatraz. Sea lions made the platforms near Pier 39 their home attracting small crowds year round. I often find it more pleasing to include the crowds in my photographs, especially in bustling places such as this.

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

As long as the forecast looks good, you can photograph Pier 39 on any day at any time. Overcast skies won’t work as well with wide angle shots. Concentrate on the microscape (sea lions, carroussel detail and vendors).

Time required

You can explore Pier 39 in one hour to 90 minutes.

Equipment

• Telephoto Lens to photograph Alcatraz and the Sea Lions
• Wide Angle lens to photograph the carrousel and the stage
• A small inconspicuous camera so people don’t try to avoid you
• A smile to interact with your subjects

GPS position

• 37°48’38.89″N 122°24’38.81″W

Difficulty Photographing

Pier 39 is always swarming with people. It is difficult to find compelling compositions. You need to be quick with your camera.

Close Locations

• Pier 7
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• Street Photography at Fisherman’s Wharf
• Lombard Street
• Marina
• Cable Cars
• Alcatraz
• Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill
• Chinatown
• Treasure Island
• Maritime Museum
• Fort Mason

Useful Resources

• BART
• Pier 39 Website

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