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Sight Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Pier 39 Sea Lions

A sight in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, free to visit and worth about 30 minutes. Best time to go: Winter mornings.

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Pier 39 Sea Lions in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
Photo: Christine Herrmann · Google

Why go

Watch hundreds of California sea lions haul out on the K-Dock floats at Fisherman's Wharf.

It is one of 10 curated places we feature in San Francisco, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Buena Vista Cafe, 0.6 mi away as the crow flies. At about 30 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Fisherman's Wharf
Price
Free
Time needed
30 min
Best time
Winter mornings

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond San Francisco. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Buena Vista Cafe

    Bar at the cable car turnaround that popularized Irish coffee in the US.

    Drinks · 0.6 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Alcatraz Island

    Ferry to the former federal prison and take the cellhouse audio tour.

    Activity · 0.6 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    City Lights Booksellers

    Beat-era bookstore and publisher with a poetry room upstairs.

    Shopping · 0.9 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Vesuvio Cafe

    Two-floor bohemian bar next to City Lights, a Kerouac-era hangout since 1948.

    Drinks · 1.0 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Top of the Mark

    Glass-walled lounge on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, open since 1939, with 360-degree views.

    Drinks · The Embarcadero & Ferry Building · 1.3 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Tadich Grill

    California's oldest restaurant, founded in 1849, with a long wooden counter, white-jacketed waiters and cioppino.

    Food · The Embarcadero & Ferry Building · 1.4 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Pier 39 Sea Lions is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in San Francisco

Another curated sight in San Francisco. See the full San Francisco guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in San Francisco run from 56°F in January to 74°F in September; December is usually the wettest month. For Pier 39 Sea Lions itself, we suggest: Winter mornings.

Modelled monthly averages for San Francisco from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full San Francisco weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Pier 39 Sea Lions, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Coordinates
37.81078, -122.41127
Destination
San Francisco, California

Pier 39 Sea Lions: quick answers

How much time do you need at Pier 39 Sea Lions?

Plan on about 30 minutes at Pier 39 Sea Lions. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Pier 39 Sea Lions?

Our pick: Winter mornings. Insider tip: Numbers peak in winter; skip the chain restaurants nearby.

Is Pier 39 Sea Lions free?

Yes, we list Pier 39 Sea Lions as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Pier 39 Sea Lions?

Pier 39 Sea Lions is at Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA, in Fisherman's Wharf. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Pier 39 Sea Lions?

Pier 39 Sea Lions appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Pier 39 Sea Lions to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to San Francisco.

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Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.