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| Photo by Jann Segal |
San Francisco is a
delight to visit any time of year. It is especially nice however, when the
weather is bright and sunny, and the many sights are available to enjoy. One
such sight is Pier 39 on
Fisherman’s’ Wharf, where the seals can be found all day long.
The sea lions have been
on Pier 39 since after the 1989 earthquake, where they moved from a
previous location. There are between 300 and 900 of these creatures on Pier 39
depending on the time of year (more in the winter months) because there is
plenty of herring for them to feed on, and the break water is calm and quiet.
However, more than 1700 have been reported at any point in time. They have the
place to themselves, and they love it. They can be loud and raucous, sleepy and
playful, and at times the older, bigger ones can be aggressive and pushy. The
baby lions don’t seem to mind at all; they often just jump in the water for a
swim or some food, or even just move over for their elders in their sleep. It
is a fascinating animal sociology to observe, albeit a loud one. The noise they
make can be heard from the street upon approach, a firm confirmation that a
tourist has indeed reached the right place.
Pier 39 is also known for
the Sea Lion Center, which is managed by the Aquarium of the
Bay.The Seal Lion Center an
educational center located at Pier 39, which has interactive exhibits, videos
and presentations. The pier is also filled with many restaurants, an arcade and
even a merry-go-round. It is the gateway to visit Alcatraz across the bay, and
is not a far walk form the many ships that are part of the Wharf’s maritime
history including one of the tall ships that now resides there permanently.
After seeing these
amazing creatures up close, they can be viewed online by a web cam. It is fun and
educational for the entire family. Even a native Californian can benefit from a
visit to see these creatures, since many natives do not know their land has
been encroached upon by sea lions!
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