Pier 39 Sea Lions

Pier 39 Sea Lions refers to the colony of sea lions living on floating platforms at the western edge of the pier. The wooden pontoons sit directly beside the shopping and restaurant buildings and offer the animals a sheltered resting place in the harbor basin.

The sea lions moved onto the abandoned boat berths in January 1990 after the Loma Prieta earthquake altered their usual resting spots. The harbor authority decided to leave the pontoons for the animals, and they became a permanent fixture at the pier.

The name points to the California sea lions that settled spontaneously at the docks after the 1989 earthquake and have stayed ever since. Visitors gather daily along the wooden docks to watch the animals sunbathing and playing, while their calls echo across the water.

The viewing platforms around the docks are freely accessible and allow close views of the animals from just a few meters away. Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best opportunities to see the sea lions active, before crowds arrive or after they disperse.

The number of sea lions fluctuates with the seasons: hundreds come to rest in winter and spring, while many migrate to the Channel Islands for breeding in summer. On sunny winter days the pontoons lie so densely packed with animals that hardly any wood is visible.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1978

Address: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-22:00

Phone: +14157055500

Website: http://pier39.com

GPS coordinates: 37.81064,-122.41158

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05