Are there seals or sea lions in Santa Cruz?

Are there seals or sea lions in Santa Cruz?

The Santa Cruz Wharf is a common resting place of the oft-noisy sea lion (Zalophus californianus). You may also see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) but they are much less common on the wharf.

Are the sea lions still at Pier 39?

Today, the sea lions are present at Pier 39 from late summer (late July) to late spring (mid May) and there are typically 150 to over 600 hauled out. Sea lions migrate to areas across the Pacific Coast, from Vancouver to the southern tip of Baja.

Are the sea lions still at Fisherman’s wharf?

The blubbery sea lions at Pier 39, one of San Francisco’s smelliest and most famous tourist attractions, are gone.

Where can I see sea lions in Santa Cruz?

the Santa Cruz Wharf
Sea Lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf The California sea lion population has tripled in the past 40 years, and the Santa Cruz Wharf, built in 1914, is a common resting spot for these gorgeous pinnipeds. Park anywhere on the wharf (first 30 minutes are free, then there’s a small fee) then walk out toward the end.

What sea animals live in Santa Cruz?

The marine life surrounding Santa Cruz is a whole other world. Porpoises, dolphins, and whales can be sighted near island shores, feeding in the wealth of kelp forests. Pinnipeds such as harbor seals and California sea lions “haul out” in isolated coves to warm themselves and seek refuge.

What time of day are sea lions most active?

Sea lions are most active early in the day, but they are proportionately more social late in the day. A = early AM, B = late AM, C = early PM, D = late PM, and E = post-sunset.

What time of day do sea lions come out?

I’ve seen sea lions as early as 7 a.m. at the Cove and as late as after sundown. They tend to fish mid-day and may not be as abundant on land around lunchtime.

Why are there no sea lions at Pier 39 today?

Pier 39 has been closed since mid-March due to the city’s coronavirus shutdown order. While distant “arfs” can still be heard from the boarded-up walkway along Fisherman’s Wharf, the 400 sea lions are no longer visible to the public. We decided to take a drone out over the pier to see how they’re doing.

Where did all the sea lions go from Pier 39?

During the summer months, the sea lions migrate south to the Channel Islands for breeding season, but in recent years a small group stays year-round at PIER 39’s K-Dock.

Where can I see seals in Santa Cruz?

And one of our winter must-sees – the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park! Año Nuevo State Park is the site for one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal, and lucky for us, it’s just 22 miles north of Santa Cruz along scenic Highway 1.

Does Santa Cruz have sea lions?

1. Sea Lions at the Santa Cruz Wharf. The California sea lion population has tripled in the past 40 years, and the Santa Cruz Wharf, built in 1914, is a common resting spot for these gorgeous pinnipeds. Park anywhere on the wharf (first 30 minutes are free, then there’s a small fee) then walk out toward the end.

Are there bears in Santa Cruz?

There is even solid evidence that black bears have been exploring the mountainous areas of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Diego counties.

What do you do if a sea lion approaches you?

FAQ: What To Do If You See Stranded Sea Lion

1. Don’t touch and do not pick up, pour water on or feed the animal.
2. Do not return the animal to the water.
3. Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet.
4. Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external earflaps, and fur color.

Are sea lions aggressive?

Sea lions are typically not dangerous. They are not aggressive and generally keep to themselves, but as a 600 lbs wild animal they do need to be respected. There have been incidents when sea lions have injured humans.

Where can I see sea lions in San Francisco?

When you think of San Francisco icons, the sea lions are up there with the Golden Gate Bridge. They are one of the reasons why PIER 39 is the top attraction in San Francisco. On a typical day, you can find them lounging in the sun or piled on top of each other on K-Dock in PIER 39’s West Marina.

Are there mountain lions in Santa Cruz?

Mountain lions and coyotes are native to the Santa Cruz mountains. They generally avoid people unless they are protecting something like food or offspring or they are hunting.