Required fields are marked *. Visitors can reserve a free spot ahead of time to see the exhibits in the visitor center, or take a paid guided tour with some behind-the-scenes action at the hospital ($15 general admission). It is so easy to visit the seals here, you can plan your day to visit somewhere else, and simply stop off for a time during your drive. In the 21st century, its all about sustainable eco-oriented tourism when a human is a respectful guest of the environment he observes. Here, you can witness one of the largest congregations of Northern Elephant Seals as they gather on the roughly 6 miles of beach in the area to give birth, feed . And it will not be a quiet visit to the beach by these giants of the ocean deep. There's also a molting season between April to August that provides a rare opportunity to spot them. We leave you this first summer Sunday with elephant seals enjoying a day at the beach in San Simeon, California. "url": "https:\/\/files.tripstodiscover.com\/files\/2022\/04\/joss-woodhead-M2FEVCu4Osw-unsplash-scaled.jpg" I must have taken about 50 photos but culled it down to a handful for the blog: http://nzmuse.com/2014/01/wordless-wednesday-coasting-california-complete-elephant-seals/. Safety note: As interesting as these creatures are, they can be very dangerous. Female elephant seal protect their pups and bark about it Ao Nuevo State Park on the San Mateo County coast on Jan. 21. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a9615e9d145fe3099c9d986ab15db577");document.getElementById("d253722e36").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In later . Jenna, definitely worth doing and I know your kids would love it! At San Simeon State Beach they are expecting about 18,000 elephant seals to crowd the four mile stretch of beach. The ocean and marine environment are protected by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and are part of Californias Marine Protected Area Network. "datePublished": "2022-04-11", How would you react to someone causing you harm? //b||1342177279>>=1)c+=c;return a};q!=p&&null!=q&&g(h,n,{configurable:!0,writable:!0,value:q});var t=this;function u(b,c){var a=b.split(". Countless hiking trails among the pristine Pacific nature would be a gift for those looking for breathtaking panoramas. (2455kg) these wrinkly, blubbery creatures are the size of an SUV. The seals of Piedras Blancas are Northern Elephant Seals. Although it feels tempting to come up close and pet the animal, its important to remember that the beaches of California are the wilderness for the seals. Friends of the Elephant Seal is a 501(c) (3) non- profit corporation, relying on grants, sponsorships, memberships and your donations. No, consider this. Videographer: Russell Nickerson. If you witness someone harassing a marine mammal, call 1-805-927-2068. Sharing the fate of many of the oceans' great whales, the elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction for their oil-rich blubber. In recent decades several spots along the coast of the Golden State have become their breeding grounds to a huge cheer from marine enthusiasts and nature lovers. Show more, San Simeon near Piedras Blancas Light Station is home to the largest rookery of elephant seals in California, with over 7,000 of them inhabiting the area. Between February and May the hospital cares for more elephant seal pups, but the hospital also takes in California sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, monk seals, and fur seals. Consider the seals perspective. It will be a chaotic scene of thousands of bulls pairing off and all fighting at once, most of the day, with only the lesser males giving ground to the monsters of the beach. Any intrusion may lead to an attack, transmission of diseases, and, overall, an unpleasant experience. The first birth is usually mid-month.January: Females continue to arrive. "@type": "BlogPosting", However, the fertilized egg does not implant in the wall of her uterus for about four months--a rare phenomenon called "delayed implantation." Stop in and check it out. Enter your email here to have new posts delivered right to your inbox once a week. "name": "TripsToDiscover", Childrens Pool and Seal rock are for harbor seal spotting. Be among the first to receive updates, photos, events and more about the Piedras Blancas northern elephant seal colony. The elephant seal breeding season there draws UC Santa Cruz researchers. The guidelines below are given for your comfort and safety and for the safety of the seals: 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. Feeding on its mother's rich milk (55% fat), the pup grows from approximately 75 pounds at birth to 250-350 pounds in less than a month. Ao Nuevo State Park is the most accessible spot to see Northern Elephant Seals. While a selfie with an elephant seal may sound like a harmless thing to do, in reality, it can be quite dangerous and state authorities specifically emphasize a prohibition of close-up photography. Elephant Seals in California: Here's Where to See Them! Newborn seals weigh about 75 pounds and are 4 feet long. Elephant Seal Vista Point. They were slaughtered wholesale in the 1800s for the oil that could be rendered from their blubber. Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceCookie PolicyDisclaimer, 5-Day Ultimate California Coast Road Trip (Hwy 1) Itinerary: Driving San Francisco to Los Angeles, 11 Ways to Spend a Day in San Francisco, California: Best Things to Do in San Fran, Day Trip Guide to Solvang, California: Danish Town in Southern California, Where to See Elephant Seals in San Simeon, California, Where to See Elephant Seals in California. The Friends of the Elephant Seal are available to answer questions at the viewing areas from 10am to 4pm daily. "image": { Elephant seal bulls can reach 16 feet in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. "@context": "http://schema.org", Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary provide habitat for significant breeding populations of four species of pinnipeds (California sea lions, northern fur seals, harbor seals and northern elephant seals). Piedras Blancas Light Station - San Simeon. February: Birthing winds down and weaning continues. Drakes Beach would be great for wildlife photography enthusiasts due to the close proximity to the colony and a chance to see the wonderful elephant seal pups. our latest advice & deals in your inbox! 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 Piedras Blancas. Once she has mated, the female will typically go to sea and leave her pup behind. You can also see the elephant seals at a rookery near Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon. Best times of year to see these amazing animals in action are October through May with the big show (birthing and breeding) in January and February. The Elephant Seal viewing area has plenty of parking. //]]>. The seals come to the land only during breeding season, which runs from December to March. A part of Point Reyes, Drakes Beach is among the best places to see the elephant seals up closein California.
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