California Sea Lions at Pier 39
where to find California Sea lions
If you’ve ever visited San Francisco, it’s likely that you’ve taken a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf and wandered down to Pier 39. It’s also likely that you heard a strange “barking” noise coming from the water where you discovered… hundreds of California Sea Lions!
California Sea Lions are known for being intelligent and playful creatures. These cuties started showing up at Pier 39 in 1989 and has called it home ever since.
Pier 39 is an important area to the sea lions because it’s a stopping point on their migration route. Every year, they migrate between Canada and Mexico. The large, floating docks provide a safe haven for them by offering a large food supply and protection from predators. Most pups are born on the Channel Islands (located near Southern California) in June.
The number of sea lions on the docks vary year round based on season, food supply, and natural migration patterns, but you can be sure that if you take a trip to Pier 39, you will see at least a few of these guys sunbathing, swimming, being playful, and even “barking”!
On the day that we visited, there were only about 40 of them, but the area has been known to see up to 500+ sea lions a day! It’s truly an incredible sight.
If you can’t make it to San Francisco, fear not! You can actually see a live view of the docks. How many sea lions are there right now?!.
go exploring!
Here’s a little extra adventure for your trip:
See how many of the 6′ Sea Lion Statues you can find and take selfies with! Each statue was painted by a different artist to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the and they are spread out along San Francisco’s most visited areas.
fun facts
How do you tell the difference between a sea lion and a seal?
Check the ears! Sea Lions have external ear flaps, seals just have little holes (more like a fish)
How long doe Sea Lions live?
Sea Lions in the wild can live up to 25 years!
How big are sea lions?
Male sea lions can reach 7ft in length and 850lbs, while females can reach 6ft in length and 220lbs.
conservation
Sea lions are endangered.
Two of the biggest dangers to sea lions are getting tangled up in or ingesting plastic pollution.
They are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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