Sea Lion Center
Sea Lion Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Operated and managed by Aquarium of the Bay, the Sea Lion Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers free interpretive programs to complement one of San Francisco's most popular attractions. More than six million annual visitors will have the opportunity to learn all about California sea lions and their history at PIER 39, as well as what everyone can do to help these charismatic mammals survive in their threatened habitat. The Sea Lion Center includes a classroom and exhibit space located directly above the sea lions' regular hangout on PIER 39's K-Dock. Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday 10am–4pm Friday, Saturday 10am–5pm Please check website for early closure notifications.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there’s something for everyone at Fisherman’s Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone’s sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighbourhood a true San Francisco treat.
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See what travellers are saying
- JoanneLake Mary, Florida2,105 contributionsbucket list for watching beautiful creaturesI had the best time watching the sea lions hang out. I never realized how loud they were. It was quite crowded, but there are 3 levels of steps to watch them, so you can climb to the highest steps, or wait for someone to leave their space and move it to get your pictures. There is an actual sea lion center, but it is closed for renovation until mid 2024, so that was a disappointment.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 22 November 2023
- Nico Samneil Sy SaladoNewport, Vermont1,949 contributionsCutie!!!Pretty interesting facts are laid out at this viewpoint. And it is fun to watch these sea lions while at sunset. Prepare your nose as the smell is not pleasing as you think it would be. It is free to watch them. See images and videos for further reference.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 May 2024
- kathy4117Dinwiddie, Virginia29 contributionsJust plain funPrepare for the smell, kind of close to how a fish market smells. So fun to watch them, they argue over the best spots and they are loud! Quite often one gets knocked off and has to try again. Almost always crowded on the list but everyone was polite, trying not to get in the way of people taking pictures. Highly recommend for fun.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
485 reviews
Excellent
299
Very good
127
Average
52
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Traveleator
Singapore, Singapore1,153 contributions
Sept 2019
We were at Pier 39 and the kids loved to watch the sea lions. The beauty of this place is that you're watching them in their natural habitat instead of an aquarium or a show. You see them jostling and fighting for space; you see them growling and can smell them from a mile away (wasn't pleasant to say the least).
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne
Lake Mary, FL2,105 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I had the best time watching the sea lions hang out. I never realized how loud they were. It was quite crowded, but there are 3 levels of steps to watch them, so you can climb to the highest steps, or wait for someone to leave their space and move it to get your pictures. There is an actual sea lion center, but it is closed for renovation until mid 2024, so that was a disappointment.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D i
Tiburon, CA408 contributions
Aug 2021
We had friends from CT visiting and wanted to see the sea lions here. They loved seeing the many of them who sun (even with fog & smoke from CA fires) have fun here.
You don't see many during June & July as that's when they leave the pier to breed.
We've had a few visit us in Tiburon which is located over the Golden Gate Bridge! Too fun hearing their barking.
You don't see many during June & July as that's when they leave the pier to breed.
We've had a few visit us in Tiburon which is located over the Golden Gate Bridge! Too fun hearing their barking.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathy4117
Dinwiddie, VA29 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Prepare for the smell, kind of close to how a fish market smells. So fun to watch them, they argue over the best spots and they are loud! Quite often one gets knocked off and has to try again. Almost always crowded on the list but everyone was polite, trying not to get in the way of people taking pictures. Highly recommend for fun.
Written 11 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepakgupta5
Vancouver, Canada593 contributions
Dec 2021
This is a great place to hang out with kids and the family. Apart from the sea lions, there are a lot of sea gulls which are quite habituated to getting free food and will approach very close in order to get the food. You can buy some bird food from nearby stores and pass your time feeding the birds. On a good day you have clear view of the sea and the Alcatraz prison from this place
Written 24 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nico Samneil Sy Salado
Newport, VT1,949 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Pretty interesting facts are laid out at this viewpoint. And it is fun to watch these sea lions while at sunset. Prepare your nose as the smell is not pleasing as you think it would be. It is free to watch them. See images and videos for further reference.
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mearcats
Letchworth Garden City, UK238 contributions
Feb 2020
This was one of the highlights of our San Francisco trip.
The Sea Lions are found at the side of Pier 39 and are wonderful to stand, watch and listen.
We also went into the visitor centre which was very informative.
A must do on your visit to San Francisco.
The Sea Lions are found at the side of Pier 39 and are wonderful to stand, watch and listen.
We also went into the visitor centre which was very informative.
A must do on your visit to San Francisco.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,505 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
The viewing areas for humans was packed but there were very little seal lions on the floating docks during this visit. Those sea lions were sleeping so there was very little activity and a distinct lack of any barking, grunting or noise in general. Normally the noises and antics of the sea lions make the visit entertaining so I guess all these visitors were sticking around to hopefully see more action.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Supertravel
Central California56 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
I don't get it. A bunch of sea lions sitting on piers. Sometimes there are seemingly hundreds (which I guess is a little impressive, and a lot noisy and stinky). Other times there are as few as 3 - 5.
Good: it is a free attraction, kids like it for about 2 minutes
Bad: it's a little hard to find if you don't know where it is (just ask someone if you are looking), it stinks, lots of seagull poo in the pier at the viewing area (who wants salmonella kids?)
If you aren't from the west coast and have never seen pinnipeds, by all means go and see them. You can check that off you bucket list. Otherwise, there are better things to do in SF, and better places in Cali to see pinnipeds (Piedras Blancas, for example).
Good: it is a free attraction, kids like it for about 2 minutes
Bad: it's a little hard to find if you don't know where it is (just ask someone if you are looking), it stinks, lots of seagull poo in the pier at the viewing area (who wants salmonella kids?)
If you aren't from the west coast and have never seen pinnipeds, by all means go and see them. You can check that off you bucket list. Otherwise, there are better things to do in SF, and better places in Cali to see pinnipeds (Piedras Blancas, for example).
Written 26 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike a
Modesto, CA38 contributions
Jan 2020
This is one of my freebies and a must-see in San Francisco. It is very entertaining for the whole family and you will get a lot of laughs. Years ago now the SeaLyons started taking over the docks and there was no way to stop them so the boats had to go and a new attraction was born.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this area to drive/park and see sea lions w the all the news about how bad it is becoming? Is there any area that is safer to see them?
Written 29 October 2023
How much should I expect to spend there?
Written 13 September 2021
My apologies for such a late response. Whatever time you'd like to spend. Some 20 minutes, others longer depending if they have children or not. Hope you had a great time!
Written 8 December 2021
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