Never has there been a place that assaults the sense of smell, taste, sight and sound other than San Francisco’s Pier 39. It is a delight (or annoyance, whichever way you swing) for everyone that visits the place, and brings you back to some degree of depressive realism and sense of humanity and mortality.

Pier 39 joins up with the Fisherman’s Wharf to create what seems to be the busiest sea side port attraction. The venue provides a niche market for sea goers whose taste in the sea does not include getting a tan and encountering slang-speaking teenage surfers and swimmers. Pier 39 is for those who want to be in the quiet, in the background; just there to observe people (and maybe, be observed as well). Pier 39 is as cliche as you can get with its rustic nautical gift shops, seaside restos and trattorias. But let’s see what we can do for the whole day first.

California is known for its good food, and San Francisco upholds that reputation. The fare presented in the stalls and shops look unimpressive, hardly gourmet for the picky eater. But the smells overwhelm you, your stomach growls, and thoughts of deep fried squid, calamaris or that steaming hot clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl gets to you.

You take a seat, bowl in hand or perhaps a basket of fried goodies (screw dieting) and enjoy the sight of sea lions frolicking and basking in the sun. Their honking perks you up, before you fall back into the shadows. Perhaps they would enjoy a treat? Then again…maybe not.

There are tours surrounding San Francisco, whether day or not. One famous is the Cable Car tour which has you riding an almost-authentic cable car (well, it does have a cable and it is a car…sort of). You can see San Francisco in a nutshell. And when you’re tired, grab a bite again (perhaps a hamburger…cotton candy…seafood? They have fried shrimp, fish n’ chips or deep-fried onions.)

Grab a bite in nearby Italian resto. They have market-fresh salads that would take the guilt away from splurging too much on food earlier.