One of the most popular tourist locations is Pier 39 Concourse, home of the following and much more:

Sea Lion Colony (Very Popular)

San Francisco Carousel at Pier 39

Hard Rock Café San Francisco

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. San Francisco

Biscoff Coffee Corner

Wipeout Bar & Grill

Aquarium of the Bay

Pier 43½ is the home of the popular boat tours, Red and White Tours. Also, visit the USS Pampanito and the SS Jeremiah O’Brien.

Alcatraz Cruises located at Pier 33. View a large display of Alcatraz Island. Take Pictures.

Visit the San Francisco Ferry Terminal located on the Northern section of The Embarcadero at Market Street, closer to the Bay Bridge.  

Little extra:

Take the walk on the Aquatic Park Pier. The closest spot to take pictures of Alcatraz Island without leaving land.

Don’t forget to waive at KGO-TV (ABC),  news station across from Pier 15 (The Embarcadero at Green Street) The roof is where they stream the weather segment live. The large camera on the building is focused on the bay bridge.

Looking for Souvenirs:

There are many shops outside the Pier 39 Concourse in the Fisherman’s Warf area. Jefferson between The Embarcadero Split and Hyde Street. Also, Beach Street between Polk Street and Powell. Powell Street is where The Embarcadero and Jefferson Street Splits.  

The cheapest basic San Francisco souvenirs are located at the following:   

Walgreens: Located on Jones Street, just east of Jefferson Street where the Trolley turns

CVS: Located on the corner of Jefferson Street and Powell Street, across from Pier 41 where the Embarcadero splits with Jefferson Street.