Pier 39 sea lions were not placed there intentionally

Sea lions began hauling out on the docks at Pier 39 in the months after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, establishing a large and visible colony by 1990. The animals arrived on their own rather than being introduced by the city or businesses, and their presence rapidly became a major tourist attraction. Marine mammal researchers and agencies including NOAA have monitored and managed interactions between the public and the animals. The Pier 39 sea lion colony remains one of the most photographed wildlife phenomena in San Francisco.