Tourists at Pier 39 express fear, sadness, strength in face of foiled terror attack

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's Pier 39 is one of the city's most- visited destinations. And for many people, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Pier 39, especially during the holiday season. Friday afternoon, the crowds remain but not without a sense of concern.

VIDEO: Father of foiled SF terror attack suspect: 'Unreal, I really couldn't believe it'

The father of a Modesto man accused of plotting a terror attack in San Francisco spoke with ABC30 after learning his son was involved.

Pier 39 Terror Plot suspect Everitt Jameson was just in the Bay Area Sunday night attending the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys football game with his father.

According to the FBI, the public was never in any imminent danger from Jameson, despite the suspect's desire to conduct the attack on Christmas Day.

Visitors come from all over the world to experience the holidays in San Francisco.

"You see all the kids running around everywhere, taking pictures. It's my first time here enjoying the beautiful weather," said Natalia Eicker, a tourist from Chicago.

RELATED: FBI says man planned Christmas terror attack for SF's Pier 39

There was a wide range of emotions Friday afternoon as people learned of the foiled terror plot.

"You hear this kind of news, all this commotion, it makes me really nervous," Eicker added.

Federal officials say Jameson had voiced his support for the Oct. 31 terror attack in New York where a driver plowed a pickup truck into a crowded bike path killing eight people.

In a statement Friday afternoon, Acting Mayor London Breed said in part, "San Francisco is a city that proudly champions democracy, freedom, and liberty. Sadly, that makes our home a target."

Despite the shock, people at the pier say they won't let these threats of terror change their way of life.

RELATED: New ISIS video names targets in San Francisco, Las Vegas

"We're still out here having a good time, then I feel like we're defeating them. That's another way of just showing them that we're staying strong together as a country and as a people," said Palm Springs tourist Emon Shaaf. "As a human race we're staying together."

Others are calling these types of attacks the new normal in America.

Click here for full coverage on recent terror attacks.