Student groups on North Coast getaway won’t want to miss Pier 39, located along the historic and breathtaking San Francisco waterfront, just two blocks East of Fisherman’s Wharf, a 45-acre landmark attraction serving up the cotton-candy nostalgia of an old-fashioned amusement park against an artist’s dream backdrop featuring spectacular views of the 300-berth marina by the bay, the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate and Alcatraz, and a front-row seat to the antics of vocal herds of wriggling sea lions stationed on K-Dock. Full-service restaurants tender a fine sampling of “so fresh it was swimming this morning” local seafood and wonderfully imaginative cafes and snack shacks ensure no one in your travel group goes hungry as you explore this waterfront wonderland; work off a little of that inevitable splurge with a run on the giant keyboard of Musical Stairs or a crazy game of hide and seek in Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze. The aspiring acrobats amongst you may want to perfect their 20 foot backflip skills on Frequent Flyer’s bungee trampoline, while those still full of crab cakes, clam chowder and ice cream may wish to wander Aquarium of the Bay, catch a show in the Bay Theatre, or recharge with a sweet turn on the intricately hand-painted San Francisco Carousel; the magical calliope tunes mesmerize and thousands of twinkling lights uniquely frame your whirling view of the bustling promenade as you ride. See yourself through an artist’s eyes with a personal caricature sketched while you watch; everywhere you turn, lively street performers “do their thing”, to the enthusiastic delight of Pier visitors. Exciting Bay tour and charter opportunities abound – don’t forget your camera – and fabulous specialty stores and gift shops tempt even “no souvenir” types to enter and browse.