Napier Lane

Leaving Pier 39 we ‘visit’ the USS Pampanito, a World War II submarine. Looking down from a dockside visit fails to capture how small these subs were. Typically the Liberty Ship, USS Jeremiah O’Brien, is moored along Pier 45, currently moved to allow for rebuilding of Pier 45 after a horrendous fire. We pass that now leaving Pier 39 on our way in and out. The experience would not be complete without a water-level view of the Pier 39 Sea Lions. Looking down from Pier 39 is one experience, staring at them eye-to-eye is quite a different way to appreciate the power behind those barking Sea Lions. We keep the trips to about 30 minutes so that it is both affordable and practical for families. Nothing gives us more pleasure to watch how intensely the children absorb the experience of a boat ride on the San Francisco Bay. The explosion of laughter as a random splash sprinkles seawater or the fixed gaze watching Pelicans take to the air remind all of us of the wonder of discovery.