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Celebrating 30 Years of Sea Lions
“Arp, arp, arp”, bark the sea lions. Nowadays, it’s hard to remember a time when the docks of Pier 39 weren’t filled with sunning, barking sea lions. No one knows quite why they migrated to the docks.
Some think it had something to do with the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; others believe it’s because they just feel safer in the Bay, protected from predators but closer to more food sources. Whatever the reason, they’re here to stay and San Francisco is excited to celebrate their 30th year at the pier.
To commemorate the anniversary of their arrival, the Aquarium of the Bay has partnered with Bay Area artist to create 30 hand-painted, six feet tall sea lion statues. Each one-of-a-kind statue depicts a story of the lives of sea lions and their environments. The colorful statues can be found along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to Mission Bay, with one located in Union Square and one in the Moscone Center. How many can you find?