A Giant Sea Lion Attracts Attention at Pier 39

A massive sea lion, affectionately dubbed a “chonker” and estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds, has become the center of attention at San Francisco’s Pier 39. According to the Marine Mammal Center, this robust marine mammal is drawing large crowds who want to witness this extraordinary sight, standing out among the smaller California sea lions that usually lounge in the area.

The sea lion has quickly turned into a major attraction, with tourists swarming the waterfront venue to catch a glimpse of this unusually large creature, which is a rarity compared to its typically smaller counterparts.

Visitor Oluwaseyi Akinbobola expressed excitement, stating, “He’s like a Volkswagen! He’s so big!” After hearing about the giant sea lion, they hurried to the pier to see it for themselves.

Experts believe the chonker might hail from the coast of Washington or Oregon, as suggested by Laura Gill, who manages public programs at the Marine Mammal Center near Sausalito. On a recent Thursday morning, the giant sea lion can be seen lounging on the docks, amidst a crowd of its smaller California relatives.

Gill mentioned that the docks at Pier 39 provide not only safety from predators and rough waters but also a readily available food supply consisting of anchovies, herring, and rockfish. “There’s a lot of food for them in San Francisco Bay… there’s a lot of easy prey for them,” she added.

Even though it’s quite large, the sea lion has been spotted attempting to snuggle with its smaller peers for warmth, yet, as Gill puts it, “it sticks out like a sore thumb.”

Sea lions began gathering at Pier 39 shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, with a few animals settling there initially and eventually evolving into a well-known tourist attraction.

Visitors often find chonkers most visible during the early morning, but spotting them becomes increasingly challenging as the day progresses, creating a sense of urgency for those hoping to see this oversized guest.

For now, officials are uncertain if more sea lions will join the crowd, but one thing is clear: the oversized visitor has captured the hearts of many, becoming a delightful oddity at one of San Francisco’s favorite tourist spots.