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 super fun place to visit in San Francisco, California! It's a big shopping center built right on a pier that stretches out into the water. Imagine a place with lots of shops, yummy restaurants, and even a video arcade!

You can watch amazing street performers and visit the Aquarium of the Bay. There are also cool virtual 3D rides. One of the best parts is seeing the California sea lions relaxing on the docks in Pier 39's marina. A tall, two-story carousel adds to the magic, even if you can't see it from the street.

Pier 39 is perfect for families with kids because there's so much to do. It's located near the famous Fisherman's Wharf area. You can easily get there using the historic F Market streetcars. Don't miss stores like Kwak, which sells only rubber ducks, or the amazing Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze!

From the pier, you get awesome views of Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. You can even take a bay cruise from Pier 39 with Blue & Gold Fleet.

Pier 39's Story
- The Amazing Sea Lions of Pier 39
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Pier 39's Story

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

The Amazing Sea Lions of Pier 39

One of the biggest attractions at Pier 39 is the colony of California sea lions! These noisy, playful animals started making Pier 39 their home in September 1989. Before that, they mostly hung out at a place called Seal Rock.

Since 1989, fewer sea lions have been seen at Seal Rock. More and more have chosen Pier 39 as their favorite spot. Some people thought the big 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake made them move. However, the sea lions arrived before the earthquake. It's more likely they feel safer inside the calm waters of the Bay.

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

The Bay Ecotarium, a non-profit group, runs the Sea Lion Center at Pier 39. Here, experts teach visitors and school groups all about these amazing marine mammals. They have fun programs and activities to help everyone learn.

Why Did the Sea Lions Move to Pier 39?

No one knows for sure why the sea lions decided to move. But in September 1989, the docks at Pier 39 were being fixed. All the boats had to leave, which created lots of empty space. The sea lions quickly moved in!

When the boats came back, their owners tried to steer around the new sea lion residents. No one tried to make the sea lions leave. By the end of 1989, about a dozen sea lions were regularly visiting the docks.

Sea lions enjoying the sun on Pier 39

Growing Numbers and Tourist Fun

By January 1990, the number of sea lions had jumped to 150! Boat owners started to complain about the large animals. Sea lions can weigh up to half a ton, and they can be quite loud and smelly!

News stories about the sea lions spread across the country. Soon, tourists started coming just to see them. Experts from The Marine Mammal Center suggested letting the sea lions have the docks. The boats were then moved to other areas.

Sea Lion Population Changes

The number of sea lions at Pier 39 can change a lot. Sometimes there are only a few, and other times there are hundreds! In November 2009, over 1,700 sea lions were counted. But by December, almost all of them had left.

This kind of movement happens every year, with the animals usually returning in the spring. Scientists think they leave to follow their food, like anchovies and sardines. In December 2009, many sea lions were seen off the coast of Oregon. This suggests they might have traveled there from Pier 39.

In early 2017, there were between 150 and 600 sea lions around the pier. In June and July, most left for their breeding grounds near the Channel Islands. However, their numbers have grown a lot since then. As of May 2024, between 1,100 and 1,200 sea lions have been reported on the pier!