Pier 39 Sea Lions

by EBJ

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Pier 39, home to the famous sea lions.

Here is a little history of the sea lions from the Pier 39 website:

The sea lions camped out in PIER 39's West Marina have been endearingly coined, "Sea Lebrities." The boisterous barking pinnipeds started arriving in droves, taking over the docks in January 1990 shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

At first they numbered from 10-50, but due to a plentiful herring supply, available dock space and the marina’s protected environment, the population grew to more than 300 within a few months.

Each winter, the population can increase up to 900 sea lions, most of which are male. During the summer months, the sea lions migrate south to the Channel Islands for breeding season, but in recent years a small group stays year-round at PIER 39's K-Dock.

Staff from The Marine Mammal Center's Kiosk, located next to the sea lions, are happy to inform visitors about these fun, flippered animals. Each weekend, weather permitting, the Center provides volunteer docents at K-Dock who explain sea lion behaviors and answer visitors’ questions. More information and interactive exhibits are available on Level 2 of PIER 39 at The Marine Mammal Center’s Interpretive Center and Gift Store.

For more information about California sea lions and The Marine Mammal Center: www.marinemammalcenter.org or 415 289 SEAL.

Here is a link to the web cam that is on the sea lions 24/7.  http://www.pier39.com/Information/webcamnew.htm