Pier 39 Parking Garage

It was crowded down at Pier 39, so it took me 25 minutes to get a spot once I went in the structure — UGH. That said, it can be expensive if you don’t validate, it’s $ 9/​hour with a $ 45 maximum. Thankfully I got validated during my meal at Fog Harbor Fish House, which gives you 1 FREE hour.
The lot has kinda tight spots, but it’s surprisingly clean, the elevator was clean and had no rank odor. The biggest upside is the convenience relative to Pier 39, which is right across the street. I’d probably use this lot again because it is convenient, but only if I could validate.

Super expensive but also super convenient. I like to park on the top floor so that I can look out on the bay and see the people below. The city is such a magical place and the pier is as well.

Great location but expensive. $ 9/​hr BUT if you get one of Pier 39’s coupon packet, there’s a coupon for two free hours of parking at this garage.

If you like parking in a garage whose stalls were designed for a Fiat, Mini Cooper, or other clown car – and if you drive a clunker and do not mind door dings and dents – then this is the place for you. The last time I was there, I pulled in, tried to safely park in one of these tiny spaces, could barely open my door to exit, gave up, and left. The attendant wanted to charge me for my 10 minutes, but I refused. They obviously try to cram in as many cars as possible in order to maximize their profits, and they do not care about the consequences to people’s cars. Do not ever, ever, ever think about parking in this hell hole until they resize the stalls to make them adequate!

This parking garage is convenient, close to Pier 39, and therefore, always busy. The way in can be confusing. When coming up the Embarcadero, stay to the left when you see the garage ahead. The street splits around the garage, so go left, then immediately make a right into the garage. My first time trying to get in, I had to circle.
The garage itself is four stories, with a walking bridge to the second story of Pier 39 from the third floor. This garage was built years ago, so if you’re in a bigger SUV/​van/​truck, it looks like the ceiling beams will take your roof off, but they won’t. If you’re taller (over 6’4″), duck. Parking lines need to be repainted, as cars have gotten wider and it’s harder to get out. Very narrow spots, though I understand the need to cram them in.
The fare is $ 9/​hour as of Oct. 2015. **Take the bridge to Pier 39. If you walk across the bridge past the first restaurant, you’ll come to the California Welcome Center. 1.) Check into the Welcome Center on Unilocal to get a free coupon book, then 2.) find the free 2 hour parking validation coupon from the Welcome Center, and 3.) have it stamped right away.**
That way, you don’t have to worry about what restaurant you eat at or what time you eat (Before 6 pm is 1 free hour; after 6 pm is 2 free hours). You can only have it stamped once, so make it a 2-​hour freebie. You’re welcome.
Oh, and when you pay and exit on the Embarcadero, you can only go right, against traffic, but don’t get confused or freak; it’ll straighten out as you curve left at the stoplight.

These guys have it nailed down! Great job on Fourth of July! Thank you
When we were leaving Pier 39 at 11:45 pm on Fourth of July, it was a mad house trying to get out of the city. The parking garage though was awesome! They had attendants on each level directing cars and they even had people checking your paid receipt ahead of time so when we got to the gate we were escorted out quickly.
Thank you for making my night!

Do not park here. The long wait is not worth it!

I forgot one more thing on this review about the free two hour parking with the «Fun Pack» (see #4)
Free two hour parking from the «Fun Pack» at the California Welcome Center:
1. Go online on your phone to
and get the coupon for the deal on the Pier 39 website. Show the customer service agent the coupon.
2. If you have AAA: write your name and AAA number on their clipboard on the desk and the customer service agent will give you the booklet.
3. If you are a local: sign up and save
4. Go to the pier 39 Unilocal page (via phone) and check in:
. It looks like you can also do it on a computer.

My husband and I attended Aquapalooza at the Aquarium of the Bay on Pier 39. I had won free tickets so the only big expense of our evening was parking. Pier 39 Parking Garage is $ 9/​hr, which isn’t that bad (especially since since downtown Walnut Creek has metered parking for over $ 2/​hr — and SF is obviously a much bigger tourist destination.)
Whether or not youre a tourist, you’ll find this garage to be conveniently located, and it is big so you’ll likely find a spot. Yes, it’s expensive. You think parking is bad? You must not have any idea what some people pay for rent around here. Save up your money and enjoy your visit to SF.

$ 9/​hour. No full day rates, so you could be paying $ 81+ just for parking. Plus it’s right on the pier were everyone walks. So driving thru there to avoid pedestrians is impossible. One star for overly prices parking.
I recommend parking at this garage instead next to Enterprise: 350 Beach Street, SF, CA. It’s day rate on Saturday was only, $ 25. Cheaper on the weekdays and you’ll get an early bird price if arriving before a certain time. I arrive before 8am. Plus, it’s only a block away from the pier. Warning: parking spots are for smaller vehicles and it smells like urine at times. But it is cheap, so what do you expect. And be smart, don’t leave valuables or bags showing in your vehicle. Its SF.

Yes, parking here is expensive. But it’s convenient when going to Pier 39, so I’m willing to pay for it. I came on a Wednesday afternoon since I had a reservation at the Crab house at pier 39. Rates are $ 9/​hr, but we got one hour validated since we ate at the Crab house. We had lunch, walked around the pier and saw the sea lions. In all we spent 2 hours there and I paid $ 9. Not completely horrible for 2 hours of fun at the pier.

Parking garage is at least open on Sundays. A lot of others around are closed.
Confusing– there is a big sign saying first two hours free parking.
After two hours we had to pay 18 $ cause that little asterisk is saying «only free parking if you eat at the Pier39 Restaurant».
There was a friendly staff member who explained us the «promotion». So two stars, one for the opening hours and one for the friendly staff.

You have to get full-​service restaurant and then you will get 1hr free or 2hr free service.
If you don’, you have to pay $ 9/​hr.
I paid $ 27. :((

I’ve read a lot of the reviews and most of them are poor and bad. Well, my experience wasn’t bad at all. I mean, maybe it’s because we came at night to park to have a lovely dinner at the pier.
Unlike other people, I actually looked at the parking tickets to see the rules and regulations of the parking structure. I also made sure to see which restaurants offer parking validation to the Pier 39 Parking Garage.
We had a lovely meal at Swiss Louis Italian and Seafood Restaurant. on the Pier. It was delicious 5 star meal. I rated them a 5.
Because we dined at Swiss Louis Italian and Seafood Restaurant (one of the few that validates parking) we didn’t have to pay for any parking fees. It was completely free, so really ultimately had no complaints.

1 star for convenience to pier 39 (right across the street), one star for easily finding parking and another star for 1 hour validation at a restaurant before 6pm.
Free Validation for two hours if you dine at a restaurant after 6pm. This is a pricey parking garage with rates of $ 9 an hour, but with a number of coupons that the ticket comes with is cool. I parked at 2pm and left at 4pm with one hour validation since I ate at a restaurant so I only had to pay $ 9.

Parking is terrible because you wait behind a long line of cars that are trying to fill spots all the way to the top. You’re almost guaranteed to be stuck at the ceiling and if you have a big vehicle, great depth perception comes in handy when trying to squeeze.
Remember to bring your parking ticket with you if you want to eat at the restaurants at the Pier. It’ll get you 1 hour off for parking validation since the parking fee is $ 8/​hr. The best thing about this rate though is that as nice and large the Pier is, if you’re not doing any activities and wandering around for the pleasure of it all, you won’t be spending more than 2 – 3 hours there anyway! Also, your parking ticket gets you some coupons to the restaurants and shops.
There’s some employees in the structure who try to direct traffic but I don’t think they end up doing anything helpful…

This is one of the main parking lots in the area. It’s pretty easy to get in and out. Although it is pretty convenient to visit pier 39 from this parking lot, I would say $ 40 for parking is pretty steep.

= PARKING AT FISHERMEN’S WHARF =
This is probably the closest parking structure to Fishermen’s Wharf at Pier 39. It’s probably the cheapest in the area, even though it’s $ 8/​hour, but if you dine at one of the sit-​down restaurants at the wharf, you can get a validation and save yourself $ 8-​$ 16 depending on the time you are visiting.
It’s generally pack here, and spaces are tight. Do everyone a favor and make sure you are parked between the lines. Totally not cool if you are sitting on the line or taking up 2 spaces.
TIP: Park at 3^rd floor to gain access to the bridge from the parking structure and the wharf. There are automated pay machine which takes both cash & credit card.

Talk about a bad parking lot experience. The lots are packed, the parking spaces are very tight. More importantly, the prices are extremely high. $ 3 every 15 minutes without validation from an approved restaurant.
Yes the parking lot is a walkaway away from Pier 39 but it is not worth the headache of not being able to get into your car when you park since they try to pack as many cars in the garage as they can. Its like being in a sardine can. :(Park somewhere off on the street instead of this garage if you can.

So keep in mind my review of this lot is probably better than most b/​c we arrived at 9:50am before the crowds hit. We had no issues getting in and backing our car into a prime spot. Leaving was also easy for us, but there were a TON of cars in line to go up the ramp.
My review is also good b/​c I found online coupons for bay area residents — go to the Pier 39 website and you can get a coupon to redeem at the vistor’s center for 2 hours of free parking. At $ 8/​hour, that saves you a ton! We ended up just paying for one hour, which made it more reasonable.
In the past, we parked up the street and walked to the pier to get a better parking rate, but with a 2 year old, closer is better… and it is conveniently located just across the street from Pier 39. Just do your research and you should be able to find some deal to use. Or you can validate at restaurants for one hour of free parking.