Pier 39 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Pier 39
View of Pier 39
General information
Type	Shopping center
Location	San Francisco
Coordinates	37°48′36″N 122°24′37″W / 37.8100°N 122.4104°W / 37.8100; -122.4104

Pier 39 is a fun shopping center and a very popular place for tourists in San Francisco, California. It's built on a pier that stretches out into the water. At Pier 39, you can find many shops, restaurants, and even a video arcade. There are also street performers who entertain visitors.

One of the main attractions is the Aquarium of the Bay, where you can learn about local marine life. You can also enjoy virtual 3D rides. A large, two-story carousel is another exciting feature, though it's a bit hidden towards the end of the pier. Pier 39 is especially famous for the California sea lions that hang out on the docks in its marina. All these fun activities make it a great spot for families with kids.

The pier is located right next to the Fisherman's Wharf area. It's also close to other cool neighborhoods like North Beach and Chinatown. You can easily get there using the historic F Market streetcars that run along The Embarcadero. From the pier, you can see amazing sights like Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. You can also take bay cruises from Pier 39 with the Blue & Gold Fleet.

History of Pier 39
The Famous Sea Lions of Pier 39
- Why the Sea Lions Moved In
- Sea Lion Population Changes
Images for kids
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History of Pier 39

Pier 39 was created by a person named Warren Simmons. It first opened its doors to visitors on October 4, 1978. Since then, it has grown into one of San Francisco's most visited spots.

The Famous Sea Lions of Pier 39

The sea lions at Pier 39 have become a tourist attraction in their own right.

The sea lions started to appear on the docks of Pier 39 in September 1989. Before that, they mostly used a place called Seal Rock to rest. After 1989, fewer sea lions were seen at Seal Rock, and more started to gather at Pier 39. Some people thought the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake might have caused them to move. However, the first sea lions arrived at Pier 39 before the earthquake happened. It's more likely that the sea lions feel safer and more protected inside the calm waters of the Bay.

The Bay Ecotarium, also known as Bay.org, is a group that works to protect the Bay Area's environment. They run the Sea Lion Center at Pier 39. This center helps educate visitors and school groups about sea lions. Staff and naturalists at the center teach people through programs and fun activities.

Why the Sea Lions Moved In

The exact reason why the sea lions decided to move to the pier isn't fully known. However, in September 1989, the docks were being fixed up. This meant all the boats had to be moved away, leaving large empty spaces. The sea lions then had plenty of room to spread out. When the repairs were finished, boat owners came back. They tried their best to steer around the sea lions, and no one tried to make the new animal guests leave. By the end of that year, only about a dozen sea lions were regularly visiting the docks at Pier 39.

By January 1990, their numbers had grown a lot, reaching about 150 animals. Boat owners who had their boats docked there started to complain. Sea lions can weigh up to half a ton, and they can be noisy and smelly. News stories about the sea lions caught national attention, and more tourists started coming to see them. Experts from The Marine Mammal Center suggested that the docks should be left for the animals. They advised moving the boats to other locations.

Sea lions resting on Pier 39.

Sea Lion Population Changes

The number of sea lions at Pier 39 can change a lot. Sometimes, as many as 1,700 sea lions have been counted there at once, like during Thanksgiving week in 2009. Many of these sea lions are known to researchers, and some even have unofficial names. Volunteers and staff at The Marine Mammal Store and Interpretive Center watch the sea lion population every day. They also share educational information with tourists from all over the world. Scientists continue to study the sea lions there. This helps them learn more about the animals' health, what they eat, and how they behave.

In November 2009, most of the more than 1,700 sea lions that had been living at the pier started to leave. By late December 2009, almost all of them were gone. This kind of population change happens every year, with the animals usually returning in the spring. No one knows for sure why they appear and leave at certain times. However, experts believe they likely leave to follow their food sources, like anchovies and sardines. A few sea lions did come back in February, and by late May, several hundred could be seen on Pier 39 again. It's still a bit of a mystery exactly where they go and why. But in December 2009, nearly 4,000 sea lions were seen outside Oregon's Sea Lion Caves. These were thought to be the same sea lions from Pier 39.

In early 2017, the number of sea lions around the pier was estimated to be between 150 and 600. However, in June and July, most of them were expected to leave temporarily. They travel to their breeding grounds, which are near the Channel Islands.