Home
Home     About     Where To Watch     Partners     Wildlife Stories     Events
Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Visitation: unknown
Area: 45 Acres
Lat: 37.809903
Lon: 122.410333
Nearby Services
Gas-San Francisco, .5 miles MilesFood-San Francisco, on site MilesLodging-San Francisco, across the Miles
Site Facilities
Boardwalks Brochure/Species List Bus Accessible
Camping/lodging Drinking Water Food/Vending Machines
Gift Shop/Bookstore Interpretive Signs Lookouts
Restrooms Trash Cans Visitor Center/Ranger Station
Join Our Mailing List
Email:
For Email Marketing you can trust

Facebook


Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
PIER 39, K-Dock - Site # 162
Where else can you watch hundreds of California sea lions snooze, swim and play while you shop, see jugglers, and ride a carousel but at San Francisco's PIER 39?
SeasonalSeasonal - these sites have high wildlife values during certain seasons, though they may have recreational value year-round.

Great Blue Heron at K-Dock. Photo by Terry Eckhart: 1024x1442.9859620149 Red-shouldered Hawk at K-Dock. PHoto by Terry Eckhart: 1009x1059

Background: In 1990, the sea lions began hauling out onto K-Dock, on the west side of the PIER. PIER 39 management, working in concert with The Marine Mammal Center, accommodated the sea lions' preference for this public dock. Now as many as 600 of the noisy, playful pinnipeds may use it seasonally as a favorite haulout. Visitors from around the world line the wooden railing above the sea lions to enjoy close-up views of their interactions. The sea lions fish for herring and smelt in the bay waters, then surface to rest on the dock. They bark, chase gulls, and bump each others' chests to claim resting space. Occasionally, small spotted harbor seals are visible in the group, always giving the much larger sea lions a wide berth. The Marine Mammal Interpretive Center, located on PIER 39, offers docent-led talks and has excellent displays.

The Habitat: San Francisco Bay

The Experience: You can see hundreds of sea lions in close proximity.

Wildlife and Where to Find It: On foot, no difficulty. Less than 1/4 mile on a paved surface.

Viewing Tips: Excellent viewing year-round. High numbers present from August through June, peak viewing from January through May. Some sea lions remain in June and July, but most migrate to The Channel Islands for mating season. Some sea lions just 15 feet from railing. Outstanding bay views.

Site Notes: PIER 39's K-Dock is located off The Embarcadero along San Francisco's picturesque waterfront. From PIER 39, visitors are treated to spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf.

Nearby Viewing Sites: Aquarium of the Bay, Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco Zoo. The Port Walk provides educational environment signage around PIER 39's Perimeter Road.

Festivals & Events: Anniversary of the Sea Lion's Arrival: January 19, 2008
EarthFest: April 20, 2008

Visitor Information: San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau - (415) 974-6900 - www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: 24 hours
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved. 
 Roads available year-round.
Road Hazards: No
 Number of Parking Spaces: 980
Parking Fee: Yes
Proximity to viewing area:approximately 1000 feet
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes
Parking Notes: 

How to Get There: In San Francisco, PIER 39's K-Dock is located off of The Embarcadero, in Fisherman's Wharf. It is accessible from all major freeways and by public transportation.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: City & County of San Francisco
Agency Site URL: www.pier39.com
Physical Address:Beach Street & The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
Agency 2:P.O. Box 193730
San Francisco, CA 94119-3730
Manager Phone:415.705.5500 Contact Us:by Email
Site Phone:(415) 705-5500
County: San Francisco
Addition Website: