Ariel used to always go to Pier 39 with her family during the holidays. It is so fun and if you go, you MUST get Trish's Mini Donuts! There are a bunch of fun things to do on the pier and interesting shops. This is where boats depart for whale tours. September should be a good season for Humpback whales! When you are on Pier 39, you simply will not miss the sea lions as they lounge along the west side of the pier and scream.

Fisherman's Wharf is a 3 min walk from Pier 39.

Here, you can find clam chowder in bread bowls, which is an SF classic (you can find this exquisite dish pretty much anywhere in SF). There is an interesting old-timey penny arcade here as well called Musée Mécanique.

Pier 33 is a 5 minute walk from Pier 39.

This is where the Alcatraz tour boats depart. The tour of Alcatraz is quite good!

The Exploratorium is a 20 minute walk from Pier 39.

Ariel's PhD advisor, Dave Jewitt, says that this is one of the best science museum he has ever been to!

Ghirardelli Square is a 15 min walk from Pier 39.

Ghirardelli's Chocolate Factory was founded in San Francisco in 1852 by James Lick, a millionaire who loved chocolate made by chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli.... almost as much as he loved astronomy! Lick also invested his fortune into building the Lick Observatory in 1888. The Lick Observatory is in the south Bay Area, ~1 hour drive from the hotels.

This coastal hiking trail starts at the abandoned Sutro Baths, and is a 3.4 mile loop. You will walk through Monterey Cypress Trees (which are awesome on a foggy day) and you will see views of the Golden Gate Bridge (which is awesome on a clear day). Alternatively, you can take the trail all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge itself (~3.5 miles one way)

HIT THE BEER TRAIL

Visit Tri-Valley Beer Trail Passport

SIP BEERS

Altamont Beer Works

2402 Research Drive, Livermore

First Street Ale House

2106 First Street, Livermore

McKay’s Taproom And Beer Garden

252 Main Street, Pleasanton

Rivers End Brewing Company

2135 South Vasco Road, Suite J, Livermore

Tap 25

25 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore

The Hop Yard – American Alehouse & Grill

3015 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton

Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar

7046 Village Parkway, Dublin