1 day ago · One of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal is at Año Nuevo State Park. A Natural Preserve has been established to protect the elephant seals along with many other animals such as otters, …

Jan 26, 2024 · While there are peak seasons between December and June when most elephant seals haul out, or temporarily leave the water, you can see elephant seals year-round in California on their breeding beaches, called rookeries.

Grab your binoculars and come see these magnificent marine mammals up close on one of the prettiest coastlines in California. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Elephant seals are not always easy to see. Their natural camouflage blends into …

Nov 2, 2024 · Cartoonishly clumsy, overwhelmingly cute, and majestically beautiful, the elephant seals are righteous dwellers of the Northern California coast and one of its most awe-inspiring natural attractions.

The Piedras Blancas Beach, also known as the Elephant Seals Beach, is just north of Hearst Castle and San Simeon, and not far from Cambria on California’s Central Coast.

The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery spreads out over 8 miles of beach, extending both north and south of Point Piedras Blancas, on the central coast of California. The Elephant Seal Viewing Area is located 90 miles south of Monterey, 4 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon and 1.5 miles south of Point ...

Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo State Park. Perhaps the most compelling attraction for human visitors to Año Nuevo State Reserve is the large colony of northern elephant seals that assembles here each winter. Their name is reflective of their large …

April 1 to August 31 - Elephant Seal Molting Season. Northern elephant seals come ashore during the spring and summer months to shed their outer layer of skin and fur. This “molting” process takes from four to six weeks per animal as they rest along the beaches.

Now about 17,000 elephant seals call this beach their home. While seals can usually be seen at the beach all year long, the best times to visit are during late January, April and October. Viewing is open to the public free of charge from the Elephant Seal Boardwalk.

As the elephant seals rebounded from near-extinction, they first re-established colonies on the islands off the shore of Baja California and California. When these rookeries became too crowded, they began colonizing mainland beaches.