The Marine Mammal Center has been monitoring the California sea lions at San Francisco's PIER 39 since their arrival in 1990. We teach school groups and the public about their natural history, behavior, history at PIER 39, conservation and sea lion/human interactions.

The continued presence of the sea lions at PIER 39's K dock is an excellent example of humans and wildlife coexisting. In a world where increasing pressure on scarce resources such as waterfront property and fish most often pits us against them -- humans and the sea lions at PIER 39 have come to a mutual arrangement that works for both sides.

Learn about these world famous sea lions via the information here or read up in preparation to visit PIER 39 -- the best viewing of wild California sea lions on the Pacific coast!

History of the Sea Lions at PIER 39
PIER 39's Fascinating Facts about the Sea Lions
FAQ's About the Sea Lions at PIER 39
PIER 39 on the Web

Read a paper on entanglement and other common problems for sea lions, and how we rescue them. (Download paper, PDF format)