- Dennis O'Brien: [opening narration] San Francisco's a conservative place; famous for good food, good families, good business. And sometimes even people from Boston move out here. But down on the Waterfront, it's a different story because a bluenose down here is a guy who is either drunk or dead. Along the Embarcadero, the piers come in different sizes, like a chorus line in a cheap nightclub. And they go from south of the Ferry Building clear past the China Docks. Almost out of sight, about the same place you'll find a price tag on a new suit, you'll find Pier 23. From there it's a short trip to Denny O'Brien's Boat Shop. My place. I rent out boats and do anything else that means long odds and short hours. My sideline's trouble. And as long as I get paid, I can't be responsible for the guys that hire me.