SAN FRANCISCO, USA - The Bay

20:33 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

No trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting the Bay. It is the best place in town for people watching, shopping and eating to your heart’s content. Pier 39 is located at the edge of the Fisherman's Wharf district. You can find shops, restaurants, street performances, Marine Mammal Center, the Aquarium of the Bay and California sea lions “sun-bathing” on docks of Pier 39.








The Hard Rock Cafe at Pier 39.



The large crab is one of the first thing that greets and welcomes people at Pier 39.



A bikini-clad mannequin welcomes customers at a shop selling surf boards and wetsuits.



The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant and Market is a seafood restaurant chain that is inspired by the Forest Gump movie!



Bubba Gump restaurant is named after the film's characters Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue and Forrest Gump. And yes, shrimps are their speciality.






Ice cream, anyone?



One of the restaurant named “Hook and Cook”.



After hours of walking, I'm exhausted.











There is even a merry-go-round at Pier 39. Everything looks colourful and bright here like a funfair.



Oh, Pinocchio. What lie did you tell this time?



There are plenty of souvenir shops at Pier 39.






Here’s a shop that will melt any chocolate lovers.



Chocolate Heaven.



Chocolate lovers will be spoilt for choices as there are barrels full with chocolate candies. The chocolate might taste like heaven, but the price is freaking expensive. I gave it a pass.



Can’t decide where to eat? Then check out the list of restaurant and their menus on this wall.







Seagulls and pigeons 'walking' around the bay.



Try out the sourdough bread while you’re in San Francisco. It is a famous local food.



Boudin Sourdough since 1849. Look, people are actually lining up at the restaurant that serves sourdough bread.





This was what I ordered: Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl.







The bread skin is hard but the bread itself is soft especially when it is soaked with the clam chowder. The clam chowder is creamy and tastes a bit sour. The portion is big enough for two person. Bon Appetit!



Can’t get enough of the Golden Gate Bridge? You can consider buying its poster.








Boats docking by pier.



The other famous activity besides people watching is sea lions watching at Pier 39!





At the background is the Forbes Island Restaurant. It is the only floating island restaurant in the world. If you do get seasick, give the place a pass.




The sea lions are all just sleeping and lying on the dock getting their sun tan. And the best thing is no one is allowed to disturb them. Lucky them.














Nobody really understood why the sea lions likes this particular pier.





Nice view of the San Francisco Bay.



View of Pier 39 from the sea.



Some interesting facts about Pier 39. It is probably the safest place to be if there is a giant quake in San Francisco. And you don’t need to worry about food while you’re waiting for rescue.

The 1906 earthquake destroyed over 80% of San Francisco and the latest earthquake to hit this city was in 1989 which injured thousands of people.



Tsunami evacuation route. Tsunami is a treat to this city, as San Francisco is situated near the Ring of Fire.



Saw a spray paint artist by the street while I was heading to Pier 33 where I took the ferry to Alcatraz Island.



The Coit Tower is a prominent landmark built on top of the Telegraph Hill. You can hike the 275 feet high hill from the nearby neighbourhoods below to reach the tower.



Transamerica Pyramid is another prominent tower in the Financial District of the city. It is also the tallest and most recognizable building in the San Francisco skyline among the skyscrapers.



After my visit to the Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf is my last destination before I called it a night.



Boy, it was so cold that night, I was shivering. One word of advice, bring a wind breaker. The sea breeze really gave me the shivers in my bones.



There is a map of Fisherman's Wharf if you need any directions.



Another Boudin restaurant and bar at the Wharf. If you want, you can join the Boudin Museum & Bakery tour.




Crocodile bread, anyone?



Aside from bread, there are numerous souvenirs in the shop that you can bring home.



Dungeness Crabs are famous delicacy at the bay. I guess I have to give it a try.



Had a corn dog and some Dungeness crab meat for supper. Well, nothing special about the crab.



There are plenty of restaurants around the wharf, so you don't have to worry about food.



A dog wearing sunglasses at night? I bet you don’t see this peculiar scene everyday.



So far I've covered the Bridge and the Bay. So what's next? Its none other than “The Rock” a.k.a Alcatraz Island! Stay tune!


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