 Show The blubbery sea lions at Pier 39, one of San Francisco's smelliest and most famous tourist attractions, are gone. During the last week of November, they left the wooden docks on which they've spent the last 20 years and no one knows if they'll be coming back. "We have no idea where they moved on to or why," said Shelbi Stoudt, who manages a team that helps stranded animals in the San Francisco Bay from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. The sea lions' disappearance is as strange as their initial colonization of the pier about 20 years ago, in late 1989. They just started showing up one day and as their numbers increased, their traditional hang out, Seal Rocks, became less populated. There are all sorts of theories about why the pier became a favorite haul-out spot for the sea lions, but no one knows for sure why the animals' behavior changed. Stoudt said the officials at the Marine Mammal Center weren't worried about the animals' disappearance from their favored location. The sea lions are migratory animals, after all, and it's natural for them to move around. So, even though no one has found them, "there really isn't a reason to be looking for them," Stoudt said. The disappearance is unusual, though. The animals' numbers usually peak in late fall and many stick around during the winter months before heading south for the summer. According to the Marine Mammal Center's FAQ on the animals, "from late summer to late spring, 150 to 300 sea lions haul out here," though their numbers can run much higher. This year saw a massive influx of sea lions. In fact, a Marine Mammal Center survey conducted in the fall found 1,585 mammals hauled out on the spot, an all-time high. Some of them invaded a neighboring area, the Hyde Street Pier, where they may have been scared away by an itinerant fisherman's dog. Their disappearance drew the attention of San Franciscans like local blogger Gary Soup, who posted the photo above on Twitter of the deserted docks. The animals had become a major tourist and education locus on the otherwise highly commercial strip known as Fisherman's Wharf. The Marine Mammal Center sends docents to the area to answer questions about the creatures. On the other hand, fishermen and others who work the waters of the Port of San Francisco have far less friendly relations with the animals. One recently told a local radio station, "They're cute when they're in here lying on the docks by Pier 39, but they're not too cute out in the ocean when they're stealing your livelihood." It doesn't appear that local weather conditions could have influenced the animals. The weather in San Francisco has been normal, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Canaepa. "It's pretty typical winter conditions," Canaepa said. This is an El Niño year, but the local impacts of that warming of the Pacific have been moderate. "I don't know if that would be enough to make them change their minds and leave the area," he said. The Mammal Center's Stoudt said they hadn't detected signs of something unusual going on with the fauna of the Bay, either. While it's appealing to think that the animals may have just returned to their previous home at Seal Rocks, locals contacted by Wired.com didn't think there had been much of a change in the sea lion population there. "Nothing unusual has happened," said Jennifer Valencia, who takes reservations at the Cliff House, which overlooks the Rocks. So, for now, no one knows where they've gone or whether they'll ever head back to their perch amid the clam chowder shops and street performers. Image Composite: Left: flickr/wallyg. Right: Twitter/@GarySoup. See Also:
WiSci 2.0: Alexis Madrigal's Twitter, Google Reader feed, and green tech history research site; Wired Science on Twitter and Facebook.** If you are heading to San Francisco and researching PIER 39 things to do – you came to the right place. From discounts and special offers to parking and reservation advice – we’ve got you covered! Enjoy – and feel free to share with friends looking for things to do at PIER 39. Local Seasonal Specialties Don’t miss local Dungeness Crab season November-February. If you’re visiting in May, be sure to enjoy Local King Salmon. Year-round Fisherman’s Wharf must-haves include fresh warm sourdough bread, clam chowder sourdough bread bowls, and seafood cioppino. These specialties can be found at Crab House, Pier Market and Fog Harbor Fish House. PIER 39 Attractions: Free Entertainment You’re in luck, there is loads of free entertainment on PIER 39! Of all PIER 39 things to do, not to be missed: PIER 39 Sea Lions: Of all the pier 39 activities, the sea lions are the most famous and popular. The best place to view the famous sea lions is the end of the pier, left hand side, bottom level. To learn more about the sea lions, visit the Sea Lion Center on the upper level. The sea lion San Francisco’s best time of year to view the most is late July–mid May. In June-July many sea lions leave PIER 39 docks to breed. But there will still be a few hanging around to see. Know before you go: Check the PIER 39 sea lion web cam here to see how many there are today. Live Performances: Artists like magicians, acrobats and musicians perform every day at the entrance and the end of the pier. As long as the weather is good, catch live performances every day at 12pm, 1:20pm, 2:40pm, 4pm, 5:20pm, 6:30pm, 7:40pm and 8:50pm. Do be prepared to nominate someone from you group to join in the fun! The performers often bring up participants from the audience to be part of the show. The most up-to-date performance schedule can be found here. Learn PIER 39 History: Walk the pier and keep an eye out for plaques of fun facts placed sporadically around on the walls and buildings. Musical Stairs: Challenge: Play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” on the music stairs across from Pier Market Seafood Restaurant. What To Wear Whatever makes you feel comfortable. Our visitors range from SF locals to travelers from around the world – with attire varying from formal/stylish to comfortable travel wear. All attires are welcome in the restaurants. The number one thing locals know that visitors don’t? It usually gets cold every day in San Francisco, even during summer. There’s a reason the famous quote is “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” We recommend wearing layers and definitely bringing a jacket or sweatshirt. If you forget your warm layers there are plenty of sweatshirt shops for you to buy a new souvenir that reminds you of your favorite city or of your favorite sports team from the sports store Lids located at the front of the PIER. Footwear tip: PIER 39 is made of wooden slats that thin heels can get stuck between, and that can get very slippery on a rainy day. Wear flat shoes with some tread, or thicker heeled shoes with some tread. Phone Charging Since there are so many things to do at the pier in San Francisco, you will likely have your phone out taking photos and videos of all the pier 39 things to do. Then that moment comes… BATTERY LOW. The worst. Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House, Wipeout Bar & Grill, Crab House and Eagle Cafe provide portable charging to diners at the table during their meal upon request. iPhone and Android are compatible. Restaurant Reservations If you can’t find a reservation online, don’t worry. Most restaurants hold tables for walk-in guests or have a running waitlist. If you are planning your visit in advance, most restaurants open reservations 3 months ahead. If not, we recommend visiting the host at the front door to be seated or put your name on a waitlist and they will text you when your table is ready. Breakfast Lovers Biscoff Coffee Corner opens at 8am daily serving to-go coffee, pastries and fresh made waffles topped with Biscoff cookie butter spread and Biscoff cookie crumbles. Eagle Cafe opens at 8am daily serving breakfast until 11:30am serving breakfast favorites including eggs, pancakes, fresh toast, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, mimosas, bloody marys, the works! Click here to see the menu. Free Wifi Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House, Wipeout Bar & Grill, Crab House, and Eagle Cafe provide complimentary wifi to dine-in guests. Discounts All PIER 39 Visitors: For discounts at most shops, restaurants and attractions, at basically all PIER 39 things to do, visit the California Welcome Center (on the upper level, left hand side towards the entrance, just past Fog Harbor Fish House) to redeem. Coffee Lovers: If you plan to grab coffee after your meal, hold onto your receipt! Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House, Crab House, Eagle Cafe and Wipeout Bar & Grill all offer 20% OFF your entire coffee drink purchase at Biscoff Coffee Corner (located at the entrance, lower level, right hand side). You can also plan to buy specially coffee beans and Biscoff cookie products to take home for souvenirs to your friends back home and have your San Francisco trip live on. Family Visitors: Visiting with kids under 12? Dine at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, Fog Harbor Fish House and Wipeout Bar & Grill before you visit the Aquarium of the Bay. Take your Kids Menu to the Aquarium of the Bay for discounted tickets! $2 off adult tickets, and $1 off kids tickets. (Up to 6 discounted tickets per coupon). Sport Fans: Planning to watch a live game? If you stop in at Biscoff Coffee Corner, keep your receipt! Every Biscoff Coffee Corner receipt offers 20% OFF at Wipeout Bar & Grill – a surf-style restaurant showing live sports on flat-screen TVs that can be seen from every seat in the restaurant. (Located at the entrance of PIER 39). Parking The most convenient parking in Fisherman’s Wharf is the PIER 39 Garage open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Directions: To park in the PIER 39 garage, drive north on Embarcadero past North Point Street. Note: make sure you’re in the left-turn-only lane. Turn left onto beach street and the entrance to the garage will be on your right. Tip 1: Park on the 3rd level and take the pedestrian bridge (next to the level 3 elevators) which takes you over Embarcadero street and straight onto Pier 39. Score! Tip 2: One Hour Free Parking Validation: When you dine at a full service restaurant on PIER 39, be sure to get your parking ticket validated for 1 hour free! (after you get validation, put your ticket in the payment machine before you leave and it will automatically deduct one hour of parking) Tip 3: Plan to arrive early on weekends and busy holidays. The parking garage fills up. Holiday Information PIER 39 stores and restaurants are open 365 days a year – making it the perfect place to visit during the holidays when other businesses close down. We’re delighted to help make holidays special for you and your family and friends! Busiest days of the year: New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July and SF Fleet Week. Around November a massive holiday tree goes up at the front of the pier to greet all guests with holiday cheer! The rest of the stores all along the pier get decorated as well for a festive fun uplifting atmosphere to really soak in the season. There is also a magical tree light show that typically happens every 15 minutes with dancing lights choreographed to music that is fun for all ages to see. Check the PIER39.com website for more information about the tree lighting before you visit if you plan to catch it. It only comes on once the sun goes down around 5pm onward. While PIER 39 usually closes around 10pm, this fun space does stay open until midnight on New Year’s Eve! We recommend making later evening reservations to dine at one of your favorite restaurants on the pier but plan to be finished with dinner before midnight. Then, head outside into the open with time to spare to stake out a great viewing space along the PIER of the spectacular fireworks show to ring in the new year ahead. Pet Friendly Leashed dogs are allowed on PIER 39 in the common areas. (Pier Market Seafood Restaurant and Wipeout Bar & Grill welcome well-behaved dogs to sit with their family during their meal on the outdoor patio.) Lost and Found If you misplace something in the common areas of PIER 39, visit the PIER 39 security booth. If you leave something behind inside a shop or restaurant, we recommend also contacting them directly. Alcatraz Alcatraz tours are .3 miles down from PIER 39 on the Embarcadero (about a 5 minute walk). Alcatraz does sell limited same-day tickets for tours. The office (where the tours are) opens at 7:30 AM – get there as early as you can (they can sell out quickly). For same day ticket sales, they only sell 4 tickets max to EACH party and all four people in the party MUST be present. Otherwise, during the summer months and busy holidays the Alcatraz tours are pretty booked up in advance and sold out. You may be wondering, what is PIER 39 in San Francisco? Well, the PIER story is dear to our hearts. Our Patriarch, Warren Simmons, was the developer of the pier with a vision of PIER 39 attractions on the waterfront that local and visitors alike would have a place to enjoy the San Francisco waterfront. Watch this short video to learn a bit more about his vision. Since Warren Simmmons developed and brought PIER 39 to life it has been one of the top visited sites in all of San Francisco since 1978. It allows guests to take in spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the San Francisco Bay, and the famous sea lions. What’s not to love? It’s also so close to Alcatraz (we highly recommend visiting this landmark and doing the tour) that it makes for the perfect outing to catch both in the same day. The above tips are special things to know that you might not pick up from simply viewing what shops and things to do. But there are many amazing shops and attractions in addition to the secret tips we listed above that you do not want to miss. For instance, there are bike rentals to take a ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, the 7D experience which is a movie with moving seats and interactive lazers to shoot zombies and compete against fellow riders. Into a brain challenge? Try out the Escape Room to see if you and your group can figure out how to crack the code and get out of the puzzle in a set amount of time. After finding out what PIER 39 is, the common question follows what is there to do at PIER 39? We hope these tips and tricks of what to do in PIER 39 help you plan your best visit. If you have any questions or suggestions about things to do in San Francisco PIER 39, please email . While you are in the area, check out things to do near PIER 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf here. Are there seals at Pier 39 right now?Today, the sea lions are present at Pier 39 from late summer (late July) to late spring (mid May) and there are typically 150 to over 600 hauled out.
Are there still sea lions at Pier 39?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.
What months are sea lions at Pier 39?From late summer (late July) to late spring (mid May), there are typically hundreds of sea lions hauled out at K-Dock (ranging from 150 to 600+).
Are the seals still at Fisherman's Wharf?There are resident seals at Fisherman's Wharf all the time beside the fish store. You can buy herring from the store and feed them. They come right out of the water to get the fish when you hold it up about 4-5 feet above the water. Great for taking pictures, especially with kids.
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Are the sea lions at pier 39 now
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