Pier 39 is well known for its many adorable, goofy sea lions. They regularly sunbathe on the docks, which is often called “hauling out,” attracting tourists and locals alike. The dock is typically filled with California Sea Lions, but recently, a different, and much larger sea lion has been hauling out on the famous dock.
Chonkers the Sea Lion
The massive sea lion has quickly gone viral, with numerous videos on social media showing the impressive size difference between sea lions. He is affectionately (and fittingly) called Chonkers and is a Steller Sea Lion.
California Sea Lions that typically fill the dock can get up to 850 pounds and 7 feet in length. Steller Sea Lions, in comparison, can weigh up to 2,500 pounds and reach 11 feet long. In short, it’s pretty easy to spot Chonkers on the dock among his much smaller friends.
Chonkers is typically seen in the morning, so we recommend heading to the pier early in the day if you want to see him. If you can’t make it to Pier 39 in person, you can check out their website with a livestream of the dock.
Steller Sea Lions are classified as a “near threatened species” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This means they may be endangered in the future, but are not currently endangered. They are typically found from Northern or Central California up the coast to Washington.
In 2024, Pier 39’s sea lion count reached a record high, with over 2,100 sea lions in May through June. You can check out Pier 39’s sea lion livestream here.
