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Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
On Hwy. 1, 6 mi. N of San Simeon, at Point Piedras Blancas, just S of Piedras Blancas Light Station, (805) 924-1628. Daily. Free. Reservations not needed. No restrooms. Visitor Center: 250 San Simeon Ave.; daily 10am-2pm.
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| viewers at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery overlook in San Simeon, California |
Elephant seals began appearing at this relatively new colony in 1990. (An older colony, Año Nuevo, is up the coast in Pescadero.) The easily accessible, well-maintained vantage point of the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery has plenty of parking and provides the opportunity to view northern elephant seals from a safe distance. The elephant seal rookery extends along 6 miles of the shoreline, and the gigantic seals can be seen year-round. The more than 25,000 elephant seals in this colony come and go from here, but are never all here at once. In summer (July and August) there are hundreds, and in winter (January through May) there are thousands. Though elephant seals live in the open ocean and endure long migrations searching for food, they return to the rookery for birthing, breeding, and molting. In September, I witnessed several hundred seals snuggled up against each other, sleeping in the sun. Some were tossing sand on their backs to cool off, and many young males were upright engaged in practicing jousting. Best viewing occurs during late January, April, and October. Docents are usually on site to answer questions.
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| viewers at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery overlook in San Simeon, California |
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| Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery overlook in San Simeon, California |
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| juvenile male elephant seals jousting at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery overlook in San Simeon, California |
2020 pandemic update: About half the visitors I encountered during my visit were not wearing masks. People also did not maintain social distancing, which granted was difficult to do because of the general excitement and limited viewing space.
View a webcam focused on the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
I had never heard of elephant seals! If I ever make it back out to San Simeon again when the world opens up perhaps I will consider going to do an elephant seal watch.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I've never been to this lookout point and area, need to go visit this wildlife preserve some day.
ReplyDeleteWe were completely enamored with your visit to San Simeon until we noticed your comments about social distancing. In these days we are trying to be better at wearing masks and keeping a safe distance for ourselves and other's sakes. Hopefully this will catch on as we move into flu season.
ReplyDeleteHappy to say that I have seen the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. It's really pretty amazing and they are so fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteSeals of any sort are a favorite and these are great! I wouldn't have liked the lack of masks though on the humans!
ReplyDeleteI've seen seals many times but I don't think I've ever seen an elephant seal. They look amazing!
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