Embark on a Northern California Adventure in Año Nuevo State Park.
Año Nuevo State Park is one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal. This Natural Preserve has been established to protect the Northern California elephant seals along with many other animals such as otters, California sea lions, coyotes, cormorants, terns and more. Elephant seals can be observed here year round either on a docent lead tour or through a self guided permit system.
Año Nuevo State Park is located in San Mateo County, approximately 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 25 miles north of Santa Cruz on HWY 1. It rests on the coastal edge of the Northern California Santa Cruz Mountains and is a easy day trip from the cities of San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco.
Elephant Seat Guided Walks – December 15 to March 31
During the elephant seal breeding season there is daily access to the Natural Preserve is available via guided walks. This is the time when male elephant seals battle on the beaches for the right to mate and the females give birth to their pups on the dunes. Most of the adult seals are gone by early March, leaving behind the weaned pups who remain through April.
The park guided walks are lead by volunteer docent naturalist who walk you through the elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Natural Preserve. Docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgable in the natural and cultural history of the park.
These popular three-to-four mile walks over rolling sand dunes last 2.5 hours and are considered moderately strenuous. They operate daily from early morning to mid-afternoon, reservations are recommended for these guided walks.
Details on Guided Seal Walks
- Offered daily for families, individuals, or groups daily.
- Starting October 20 tickets go on sale as early as 56 days in advance, and no later than one day before arrival.
- Price per ticket: $7.00 Children age 3 and under are free.
- Children age 17 and under require one adult chaperone for each 10 children.
- Each walk has a capacity of 20 people, including chaperones.
- More information at Ano Nuevo State Park.
Guided Walk Reservations
Please contact Researve America at 1-800-444-4445 to reserve a guided seal walk.
Reservations can also be made online at: anonuevo.reserveamerica.com
Spend a few days in the area or just overnight to explore Pescadero and the south Coast. Here are other things to do. At our Book A Room service you can view every available room for the dates of your stay and then link over to make a reservation for your stay on the Coastside.
