I’m routinely surprised by native San Franciscans who’ve never been to Alcatraz, seen Pier 39, or gone whale watching. Yes, they’re touristy things to do. They’re also very interesting and lots of fun!
We live in a beautiful city that people come from all over to see and there are good reasons for that. I’ll also offer to take pictures of families taking their photos with the sea lions (which I also always stop to watch) and chat them up a bit. Fun times.
He is a Stellers Sea lion (2,500 lbs and 11 feet) while generally the other sea lions are Caldiornia Sea Lions (850 lbs and 7 feet).
I remember someone telling me how much she hated tourists taking photos in the middle of the street at the top of hills and blocking traffic, then we saw someone doing exactly that. Her response: "This is a working city!" I understood the frustration.
Whale watching, hell yeah. We are going at the end of June around Monterey Bay. That doesn't feel touristy to me at all.
But Pier 39? I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with a stick. I can eat shitty fast food at home, thanks.