Sea Lions’ 35th Anniversary at PIER 39
Pier 39 | Pier 39, The Embarcadero, San Francisco CA
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Sea Lions’ 35th Anniversary at PIER 39
Join PIER 39 to celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival on January 19, 2025.
In past years, they’ve hosted free guided tours or a live celebration, but nothing specific has been mentioned yet.
This year marks 35 years since California Sea Lions appeared on our docks after the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Celebrate this milestone by sharing your favorite sea lion memories on social media with the hashtag #PIER39Sealions. For more info, click here.
Celebrate 35 Years of Sea Lions at PIER 39
Sunday, January 19, 2025
PIER 39
Free – Watch the Sea Lions LiveTo view the Sea Lion LIVE webcam, press the “GO LIVE” button. From there, you can press “Control” to choose a position, snap a screenshot, pause it or enter a full-screen mode.
Since 1990, a colony of curious, charismatic sea lions has called PIER 39 home—charming visitors with their playful antics and hearty barks. This year, these beloved (and often boisterous) neighbors are marking their 35th anniversary on our docks, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this milestone with you!
Celebrate this milestone by sharing your favorite sea lion memories on social media with the hashtag #PIER39Sealions, and never miss a moment of their daily antics with our live cam feed. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a brand-new admirer, it’s the perfect time to fall in love with our flippered friends all over again. Let’s celebrate 35 years of whiskered wonder—together!
THE SEA LION STORY & LIVE WEBCAM
A few California sea lions began “hauling out” on PIER 39’s K-Dock shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco in October 1989. By January 1990, the boisterous barking pinnipeds started to arrive in droves and completely took over K-Dock, much to the exasperation of PIER 39’s Marina tenants.
The Marina Staff turned to The Marine Mammal Center, an organization devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals, for advice about their new slippery tenants. After much debate and research, the experts from The Marine Mammal Center recommended that the sea lions stay in their newfound home.
With a plentiful supply of food from the Bay and an environment protected from predators, the PIER 39 Marina proved to be an ideal living situation for the sea lions. Within a few short months, the number of sea lions grew to more than 300 and hit an all-time record of 1,701 in November 2009.
While the number of sea lions at K-Dock rise and fall with the seasons, available food supply and natural migration patterns, the world famous sea lions always have a home at PIER 39.
Read more at Pier 39
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fun & Games, In Person, Kids & Families, Online, San Francisco, Walks & Tours
