| Sea Lions / Other Sea Life tips and photos posted by real travelers and Monterey locals. • 21 Photos
• 12 Reviews
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The sea lions in Monterey are found all through the wharf area...in large numbers. While feeding them is a bad idea, they love attention. We found one of the best places to see them up close (without crowds) was over at the Municipal Wharf after the fish market was closed.
I'm not sure, but they seem to be used to people throwing fish scraps or something because they were more interested in the people on the dock than the people were in them, and they followed us in a large, amusing group. We made friends with one big guy who booted another big guy off a landing so he could sit there. He was a few feet below us and wouldn't keep his eye off us as we talked to him and took pictures (I think he was posing).
Off in the marina a bit, some of the sea lions were playing "king of the mountain" with the buoys. As one jumped on top, others would surround him and try to get him down. They looked like they were having fun.
On a much less amusing note, many of the sea lions had deep scars on their bodies. If you are headed to the marina with your boat, please be careful! They're not afraid of people and will get very close without realizing how dangerous the motors can be. Directions: All around the piers by the marina.
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Many times there are sea lions actaully piled on top of each other at the end of "The Coast Guard Pier". There is actually a fence built there, so it is safe to walk out.
Didn't see any there? Walk along the "Recreation Trail" north to Fisherman's wharf, and look out on the rocks. There's usually at least a couple out of the water snoozing. Directions: To get there, use Mapquest for 100 Foam St -- it's in that vicinity. There is parking very close at San Carlos Beach (unless it's a weekend morning and the scuba divers have taken them all!!)
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There is a group of about 50 sea lions and harbor seals along the shore next to Fishermen's Wharf and at the end of the Commercial Wharf (#2). I saw another small group of 5-10 along Ocean View Drive in Pacific Grove.
Sea Lions are a type of seal, recognized by their external ears, ability to walk on land, and their barking. The sea lions seem to be Monterey's top attraction, as people are often lining the beach to watch them play or watch them sleep on the rocks (exciting!). The California Sea Lion is distinguished from other sea lion species by the males' large forehead, hence the scientific name Zalophus californianus literally meaning "California Big Head". Sea lions can walk on land relatively easily and swim using their front flippers for propulsion.
The harbor seals are easily distinguished from the sea lions by their silvery light gray skin with dark spots. Harbor seals also do not have external ears and are much, much, much more quiet than their cousins the mouthy sea lions. Interestingly, harbor seals rarely associate with other harbor seals, but will rest on rocks and on the shore next to California sea lions, but few other animals. Harbor seals swim with their back flippers and have a tough time on land.
The best place to see the sea lions during the day is the cove just west (toward Cannery Row) from Fisherman's Wharf, where they typically just lie on the rocks. At night the sea lions go to the other side of Fisherman's Wharf and bark, and bark, and bark for hours...you will also see them swim and play in this area!
Use caution around the sea lions...they have been known to attack people along the California coast.
Here is a link to my sea lion video filmed at the Coast Guard Wharf...http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1437951798 Leave a Comment Address: Fisherman's Wharf area
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This was the best part of Monterey for me. Just a few hundred feet away in Monterey Bay, these critters are just minding their own business. It's always fun to see creatures doing their thing.
I always wonder if they're watching us-probably not, they have better things to do.
I was too far away to tell if they were seals or sea lions-I think sea lions have ears, or something like that?... Leave a Comment Directions: Right in Monterey Bay
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Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is a must see on any itinerary of the Monterey Peninsua. However, be sure to walk to the very end of the pier, and on the right hand side you will see stairs going up. Walk up the stairs and around the back to see the view of the bay. It is filled with many small boats and is a great place to spend a short while. In particular, you'll want to be looking towards the water for some sea otters. You should usually be able to spot ne or two, if not more.
There's an interesting website if you want to know more about sea otter before you go. Click here Leave a Comment
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If you can't hear them, they are really easy to miss!!
In fact, they are sleeping at the remote end of the pier close to the marina...
Really worth to see them: one, they are really funny (even if the smell is not that good), two, if you go to SF later on, you would lose the only reason to see Pier39...
On a side note, compare two digital cameras, the similar pic on my Monterey homepage has been taken by another camera (specs are in the travelogue)... which one is better? Leave a Comment
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Outside the aquarium is a open bay and a natural tide pool. These otters come here often. Check it out! Leave a Comment
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Take a little time to test your sure footedness and venture out on the tidepools. You will find many specimins of sea life that are at the aquarium.
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