Captain Warren Simmons: The Pan Am Pilot Who Built San Francisco’s Pier 39
- Bill Travis
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
From the Cockpit to the Waterfront—At the Same Time
Not every Pan Am pilot waited until retirement to change the world. Captain Warren Simmons was still flying international routes when he began developing one of San Francisco’s most iconic destinations—Pier 39.
While logging transoceanic hours for Pan Am in the 1970s, Simmons saw potential where others saw decay. At the time, San Francisco’s working piers were deteriorating. Simmons imagined something entirely new: a vibrant public space along the waterfront that would become a destination for families, tourists, and locals alike.
Building Pier 39: A Dream Against the Odds
Captain Simmons became the driving force behind the development of Pier 39, a once-forgotten cargo dock reborn as a bustling retail and entertainment hub. Opening in 1978, the project faced political hurdles, community resistance, and financial skepticism—but Simmons' persistence paid off.
To fund his dream, he sold a successful chain of Mexican restaurants—Tia Maria—and brought in fellow Pan Am pilots as early investors. Many profited from his ventures, a testament to his strategic vision and trustworthiness. He had also been ahead of his time by converting apartment buildings into condominiums—long before it became a real estate trend.
All of this was accomplished while still actively flying for Pan Am.
A Legacy That Lives On
Even as a developer, Simmons brought the same focus and calm determination that made him a trusted airline captain. Those who knew him recall a methodical, steady leader who made big ideas happen without fanfare.
Pier 39 stands today not just as a thriving attraction, but as a living monument to the vision, courage, and leadership of one remarkable Pan Am pilot. ✈️🌉 A Pilot. A Builder. A Dreamer.
Captain Warren Simmons proved that you don’t need to wait for retirement to make an impact—just the courage to dream big and the focus to follow through.
Comments