San Francisco, California: Famous Lounging Sea Lions
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
Pier 39
- Address:
- 1642 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
- Directions:
- Drive north on The Embarcadero to Pier 39, then walk out. The sea lions lounge on the left side, near the end of the pier.
- Hours:
- Sea Lion Center: daily 10-5 Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Admission:
- Free
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Hundreds of lounging sea lions arrived at the cool waters next to Pier 39 in 1989 and have never left. Okay, they mysteriously disappear on occasion, but usually they're here, lounging.
Roadsideamerica.com Report... [08/02/2009]Visitor Tips and News About Famous Lounging Sea Lions
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
At least 30 sea lions lounging on the docks today. The kids loved seeing them soak up the sun, diving into the water, and best of all, watching the young males play "King of the Dock" trying to push each other overboard. Each tumble was met with enthusiastic cheers from the assembled crowd. Definitely well worth the short walk to the end of the pier!
[Michele, 08/07/2012]Sadly, the sea lions have indeed gone north. Some biologists have blamed warmer water temperatures, perhaps because of the recent El Nino or maybe global warming.
[Liz, 07/19/2010]As of a few months ago, the sea lions are gone. The theory is that they are in Oregon now. Don't know if they will be back or not.
[Kellie Parker, 01/24/2010]Nearby Offbeat Places



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The sea lions are becoming more unreliable. They were numbering in the hundreds as recently as late May 2010 -- and now they're gone again?!