Where to find elephant seals in California?
Are there elephant seals in California? Elephant seals are observed all year round at the colony of Piedras Blancas. The best times of the year to see these amazing animals in action are from October to May with the big show (birth and breeding) in January and February. Come see these magnificent marine mammals up close on one of California’s most beautiful coastlines.
Can you find seals in California? The seals are Pacific harbor seals, found from California to Alaska. Sea lions are California sea lions, which live as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico.
Where are the elephant seals in Monterey Bay? Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Colony
The best viewing areas are located 90 miles south of Monterey, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon. They are 1.5 miles south of Point Piedras Blancas. The observation areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible and free.
Where to Find Elephant Seals in California – Related Questions
Which beach has seals in California?
La Jolla is a neighborhood located in San Diego, California, and is well known for the abundance of sea lions and seals on its beaches. Here, sea lions can be seen on the shore and on the rocks of the cove, while seals can be seen on “Seal Rock” or at Children’s Pool Beach, a section not far from the cove.
Where can I see elephant seals in Northern California?
One is located in Año Nuevo State Park along the San Mateo Coast, south of San Francisco. The other is Hearst-San Simeon State Park and Elephant Seal Lookout located about 5 miles north of Hearst Castle along the San Luis Obispo County coast.
How many elephant seals are there in California?
It is estimated that there are 150,000 individuals, with 124,000 in California waters. Elephant seals moult every year between April and August, shedding not only their hair but also the top layer of their skin.
Where are the elephant seals on the 1?
Elephant seal viewing area
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Colony is just off Highway 1, seven miles north of San Simeon. Follow a flat, wheelchair-accessible path with a railing to witness their remarkable life cycle on the beach.
Which California beach is home to sea lions?
One of the best places to see sea lions in California is at La Jolla Cove (an excellent sea lion beach in California). However, they are all along the California coast. Other locations include San Simeon, the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary, Pier 39 in San Francisco, and King Harbor in Redondo Beach.
Where is Big Sur California?
Big Sur is located along Scenic Highway One, approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles. Historically, the name Big Sur is derived from this uncharted, uncharted wilderness area that stretches along the coast south of Monterey. It was simply called El Sur Grande, The Deep South.
Can you see seals in Los Angeles?
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Colony is an elephant seal colony on Highway 1 in California. This beach is a few hours from Los Angeles. These huge sea animals can be found directly on the beach, which is fenced off from visitors. Besides elephant seals, you may also spot fur seals and sea lions.
Are there seals in San Francisco?
Unlike sea lions, harbor seals live year-round in and along San Francisco Bay. They spend about half their time in the water, where they are swift and graceful, propelled forward by their powerful hind flippers.
When can you see elephant seals?
Peak months for elephant seal sightings are October through March, when their population on the shores of San Simeon can reach 17,000. So if you’ve planned a trip to Hearst Castle or San Luis Obispo in fall, winter, or early spring, consider stopping by San Simeon to see elephant seals in action.
Where can I see seals in Big Sur?
The settlement of Piedras Blancas is approximately 7 miles north of the town of San Simeon (250 miles north of Los Angeles) on the central coast of California. This is an unbeatable viewing area as the seals have conveniently located just off the highway.
Is Big Sur open?
Big Sur Multi-Agency Visitor Center: (831) 667-2315, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open to walk-ins and phone calls.
Does San Diego have seals or sea lions?
San Diego is home to two species of “real” seals and the California sea lion is a common sight around the beautiful and safe waterways for cute and curious creatures. Elephant seals are most commonly found near Año Nuevo State Beach in central California, where they breed each year.
Can you pet a seal?
Seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is against the law to touch, feed or harass seals.
Is it safe to swim at La Jolla Cove?
La Jolla Cove can be dangerous for swimming when the surf is up due to the rocks and local conditions that exist while surfing.
Where are the elephant seals in Santa Cruz?
Año Nuevo State Park is the site of one of the world’s largest continental breeding colonies for the northern elephant seal, and luckily for us, it’s just 22 miles north of Santa Cruz, along scenic Route 1.
Are elephant seals still at Drakes Beach?
Elephant Seals at Drakes Beach
Male elephant seals returned to Drakes Beach, adjacent to the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, in early December 2020 and pregnant females returned to the beach in late January 2021 to give birth to their young.
How can I see elephant seals in Point Reyes?
The best place to see elephant seals in the park is at Chimney Rock, which is a 45-minute drive from the Bear Valley Visitor Center (see map). It is a short walk from the Chimney Rock parking lot to the Elephant Seal Overlook.
Where do seals give birth in California?
Harbor seals give birth between March and June on tidal sandbars, rocky reefs and small beaches.
What is the speed of elephant seals on land?
Southern elephant seals can move on the ground at around 5 km/h (3 mph) when on land. When swimming, southern elephant seals move at speeds of around 5–10 km/h (3–6 mph).
Where are the seals in Orange County?
harbor seal
Harbor seals are not abundant off the coast of Orange County, but we have a colony at Abalone Point, which is inaccessible to foot traffic. If you’re snorkeling in the Laguna Beach area, you might get a visit from one of these seals around the kelp beds.
Which cities are close to Big Sur?
Northern towns include Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina, and Salinas. To the south, the nearest towns are Cambria, San Simeon, Paso Robles and Morro Bay.
