Visitors are swarming to see over 1,000 barking, blubbery sea lions bask at San Francisco’s famous Pier 39.
The sudden increase in the K-dock population over the past week is likely due to an influx of nearby anchovies coming from the Farallon Islands, said longtime harbormaster Sheila Chandor. The steady supply of food is also making the mammals extra active. Or maybe it’s just pier pressure?
“A lot of sea lions are converging on the Channel Islands down south for mating, so they happened to be in the area in bigger numbers when the anchovies arrived — we were smack in the middle of a perfect storm,” Chandor said.
The sea lions first came to Pier 39 and claimed it as their own following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, when 1,700 were counted, but Chandor said that they haven’t seen these current numbers since about 2009.
Along with the increase in sea lions came an increase in visitors.
“As soon as we posted it on social media, we saw a marked increase in visitors to Pier 39 and the wharf in general,” Chandor said.
Visitors view sea lions as they bask on the docks at Pier 39 in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, May 2, 2024. About 1,000 sea lions can be spotted, the most since 2009. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
She still enjoys watching them after her many decades of service at the pier. There is a mix of males and females on the docks, but the majority of the adult females are now in the Channel Islands for breeding season, so only the very young ones remain in San Francisco.
“They are naturally gregarious and playful, so it’s fun to watch them at K dock, especially when they try to push each other off the floats.”
A distinct and pungent fishy odor permeated the pier as dozens of locals and tourists vied for spots to take photos and videos while the sea lions barked, grunted and fought for their own space on the docks. Many wondered if they were just playing or meant business.
“It’s about practicing dominance for the upcoming competition for females during the breeding season and keeping territory,” Chandor said.
Jennifer Carpenter, of Ottawa, Canada, traveled to San Francisco for the first time with her friend Melinda Philpott, and they made their way to the wharf after hearing news reports about the sea lions.
“We love nature, and it’s fascinating for us to be up so close to them,” Carpenter said.
Jennifer Carpenter and Melinda Philpott, of Ottawa, Canada, from left, view sea lions as they bask on the docks at Pier 39 in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, May 2, 2024. About 1,000 sea lions can be spotted, the most since 2009. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Dimitris Demetrio, who was visiting from the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean, said he didn’t mind the fishy smell and enjoyed watching the pinnipeds.
“They’re crazy with all of the sounds they make,” Demetrio said.
Cheryl Chester, of San Francisco, an avid swimmer, joined the hoards of tourists to get a closer look at the marine mammals. She said she sometimes encounters sea lions while swimming in nearby Aquatic Park. She loves cats, and feels that they have a cat-like quality with their similar whiskers.
“I think they’re funny. They look comfortable, and then all of a sudden they’re really pissed off; they’re fierce under all of that relaxation,” Chester said.
She has never seen this many sea lions at the docks.
“They are extremely crowded here, there’s no room at the inn,” Chester said. “They may go look for a beach resort.”
If you’re unable to make it in person, click here to view the sea lions on the pier’s live cam.
Sea lions appear to be fighting for real estate at San Francisco’s @PIER39! There are roughly 900 of them, the most in 15 years. Stay tuned for my story and photos later today. @OakTribNews @EastBayTimes @mercnews pic.twitter.com/AUv8rlrRIt
— Tyska (@Tyska) May 3, 2024
