Pier 39 Sea Lions, Marine mammal observation point at Pier 39, San Francisco, United States
Pier 39 Sea Lions is a marine mammal viewing spot at Pier 39, a commercial dock on San Francisco Bay, where California sea lions rest on a set of floating wooden platforms. The platforms are positioned at the edge of the dock and can be viewed from a railing along the waterfront.
The sea lions first appeared at the docks shortly after the 1989 earthquake, when empty boat slips offered a calm place to rest. What began as a temporary visit turned into a permanent settlement that has lasted for decades.
The sea lions have become a fixture at the waterfront, drawing locals and visitors who come specifically to watch them interact on the floating docks. Their barking is so loud that you can hear it long before you see them.
The viewing area is at the west end of the pier and is easy to reach on foot from the surrounding waterfront. Crowds tend to build up around midday, so arriving in the morning gives you more space along the railing.
The number of sea lions on the docks can drop to almost nothing in summer when many travel north to breed, then swell again in winter. On cold days, the platforms can get so packed that some animals are pushed into the water by others.
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