This was surprisingly one of our favorite parts of the trip to San Francisco. Adjacent to Pier 39 are about a hundred California sea lions that quite enjoy putting on a show. (They also draw a large crowd of onlookers.) When we were there in June, we saw a wide range of sea lions: about a dozen pups, a few large adults, and what looked like quite a few adolescents (although I'm certainly no expert - that was just the appearance). Supposedly, all of the Pier 39 sea lions are males.

It was fun watching the sea lions play 'king of the dock' and bump each other off into the water. A large bull seemed to enjoy barking at the tourists. The pups were content to curl up amongst themselves and sleep.

Next time we are in California, we will drive down the coast towards Carmel and hopefully see more sea lions in a more natural habitat than Pier 39.

Everyone who visits "The City" knows about Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz, but spending a few hours on Pier 39 is an activity in itself!

My favorite attraction is the collection sea lions (seals don't have ear flaps!) that hang out next to the pier. After the devastating 1980's earthquake, these sea lions found their way here and have called it home ever since. They lounge around on floating docks, soaking up rays, pushing each other around and swimming around. They're free to come and go in and out of the marina, but it seems like mostly they stay put. Every now and then one sea lion will decide to pick at another one just to get a game going. They push and shove and try to knock each other into the water. It's a massive-sized game of "King of the Hill." On a beautiful day, with the bright blue sky above and the Golden Gate bridge in the distance, you could spend hours watching.

But if sea lions only amuse for so long, there's plenty of shopping and food on the Pier. One jewelry store features earrings in the form of miniature corkscrews that twist in and out of your ears - supposedly very comfortable. They're certainly beautiful and unique. Another shop features all Alpaca wool clothing. Of course, there's any number of souvenir shops, with suprisingly affordable items to help you remember your trip.

Food ranges from funnel cakes and other fast food to wonderful restaurants overlooking the bay. Neptune's is wonderful, with crab legs to die for.

Among all The City has to offer, don't miss this wonderful treat!

California sea lions can be found along the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. Historically it was not unusual for sea lions to occasionally dock themselves in and around San Francisco Bay’s Fisherman's Wharf. However, it was only after the earthquake of 1989 when the larger population of sea lions decided to take up residence in San Francisco Bay, in particular Fisherman's Wharf’s Pier 39, and become one of the Bay Area’s main attractions.

No one knows for sure why the sea lions moved, only that it was uncharacteristic for these known creatures of habit. There are many theories, including the spawn of herring in the waters of the Bay area and the presence of fishing boats docked in the guest slips of K dock after the earthquake. But the fact remains that many of these factors were in place before the earthquake, and yet the sea lions stayed where they were on Seal Rock, which is north of Ocean Beach.

Regardless of the reason why they moved, it looks like the sea lions are here to stay – and they are multiplying at an alarming rate. Prior to the earthquake there were only sporadic sightings of the sea lions around Fisherman’s Wharf. The population quickly grew to approximately 300 after the earthquake and in winter months the Bay area is home to about 900 sea lions.

When the number of sea lions populating the Pier 39 area grew to a point when it became dangerous for boaters, the slips for boaters were relocated to another area of the Wharf and the pier was designated as a conservation area for the sea lions. Since then, renovations have been made to the pier to make it easier for the mammals to lazy about, and the population of Bay area sea lions has again increased. They are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

Seeing the sea lions at Pier 39 is a must-do activity for first time tourists. The best time to go is in winter months, when the sea lion population is at its highest. Don’t forget to bring your camera and walking shoes. To see the sea lions, go to the Fisherman’s Wharf area and walk along the waterline to find Pier 39. There are also a number of seafood and other restaurants along the Pier, including the Sea Lion Café which overlooks the Sea lions on the Pier below. The Aquarium of the Bay is also beside Pier 39 and is worth the trip if you are interested in marine life in the Bay Area. There is no cost to see the sea lions at Pier 39. To find out more information on the California sea lions in the bay area, visit the Marine Mammal website at:

http://www.tmmc.org/learning/education/pinnipeds/casealion.asp

Pier 39 is a huge tourist destination. It's full of unique specialty shops and fantastic restaurants and is the hub for tours to Alcatraz and around the bay. There are also attractions, such as the hand-crafted Italian carousel and the Aquarium of the Bay, which has hundreds of feet of underwater tunnels showcasing the varieties of life in the San Francisco Bay, including sharks. I enjoy shopping there for gifts and decorations, such as the many black-and-white photos of San Francisco I have framed in my room. The restaurants mainly feature the delicious fresh seafood from the bay, but there is something for everyone if you look.

Don't miss the tour to Alcatraz. I've lived here all my life and just recently enjoyed the tour a couple years ago. Make sure you book tickets in advance, however. Your chances of acquiring tickets while in San Francisco are slim to none.

Also, check out the other tours around the bay and the dinner cruises. Some other attractions around Fisherman's Wharf include Ghiradelli Square, the Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the USS Pampanito submarine, and the USS Jeremiah O'Brien. You have to visit Fisherman's Wharf on your next trip here.