The UEFA Champions League football trophy is pictured prior to the cup\'s round of 16 draw ceremony on December 16, 2019 in Nyon. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — After going missing for several weeks, the famed sea lions that make their home on San Francisco’s Pier 39 have returned.

In late June, the sea lions left their perch on the floating docks. No one really knows exactly where they went, but marine biologists believe they went south to mate. Most sea lion pups are born on the Channel Islands off Southern California in June.

Word spread quickly about the return of the sea lions, as Pier 39 was packed with visitors on Thursday.