Crowds Roar For Sea Lions (NAPSA)—If you’re looking for a great family getaway, visit some of San Francisco’s most famous “celebrities.” Watch them lounge on docks, splash in the Bay—your kids may even like hearing the stars bark thoughoutthe day. The “celebrities” are actually California sea lions and 2005 marksthe fifteenth year they’ve called San Francisco’s PIER 39 their home. Shortly after the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, the playful pinnipeds started arriving in droves, taking over a dock in the PIER 39 West Marina. K-Dock is now officially designated a “Watchable Wildlife” viewing area by the California Watchable Wildlife Project. The viewing deck, with seating in front of K-Dock, affords visitors the opportunity to comfortably watch the sea lions— and it has become popular with vacationers from around the world. The Marine Mammal Center explains the reasons why California sea lions started appearing at PIER 39: available dock space, a plentiful herring supply in the Bay and the protected PIER 39 marine environment. During winter, the population of sea lions grows to several hundred—although the numbers fluctuate from year to year. Annually, the sea lions migrate to the Channel Islands to breed in the summer months. Families who visit the PIER can also participate in a multitude BEG Bae Doe Bae Some of San Francisco’s most famous celebrities call PIER 39 home. of amusing activities as well. PIER 39 has been described as a friendly festival marketplace and is San Francisco’s most popular attraction. Visitors can browse any of the PIER’s 110 unique shops for a variety of specialty merchandise like NFL team gear. In addition, the PIER’s 11 superb restaurants offer up some of the best views of the Bay. The destination even features the exclusive Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise to Alcatraz, an action-packed games arcade, double-deck carousel and San Francisco’s most talented street performers. There’s so much to see and do at PIER 39 in San Francisco, you won’t know where to begin. Here’s a start, visit www.pier39.com for more information.
