Piers in San Francisco

The piers in San Francisco are part of the Port of San Francisco and run along the Embarcadero, following the curve of the eastern waterfront. The Ferry Building at Market Street is the center: odd-numbered piers lie north of it and even-numbered piers south. Pier 45, at the western end of Fisherman's Wharf, is home to museum ships.

The Port of San Francisco's piers line the Embarcadero, with odd numbers north of the Ferry Building and even numbers south. Pier 70 housed the Union Iron Works, and Pier 45 now holds museum ships. During World War II the waterfront moved troops and supplies; after the war shipping shifted to Oakland and many piers turned to recreation and tourism.

The odd-numbered piers lie north of the Ferry Building at Market Street and the even-numbered ones south of it, so the numbering itself tells a visitor which way to walk. Pier 39 is known for its sea lions, Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf is a ferry terminal for the Blue & Gold Fleet, and Pier 43 1/2 serves the Red & White Fleet. Pier 45 holds museum ships, and Pier 80 hosts the annual Portola Music Festival.

The piers are easily accessible by walking along Embarcadero Street and can also be explored by bike or boat tour. Visit during daytime for shopping and sightseeing, though some spots like Pier 7 offer special views in the evening when lights twinkle across the water.

Pier 45, not Pier 35, is home to the museum ships of San Francisco's waterfront; Pier 35 serves Princess Cruises. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a World War II Liberty ship, is among the vessels moored at Pier 45, where visitors can board and explore it.