5 days Ago By Ethan Baron
Young northern elephant seals can be seen in and around the Bay Area. The animals can be easily observed in their natural environment in three areas, and also at a marine-mammal rehabilitation center near Sausalito, where Hollywood sound specialists have come to record the otherworldly vocalizations of these animals. Costs range from free to inexpensive.
Where : Año Nuevo State Park (21 miles north of Santa Cruz) When: Females come ashore to give birth from late December to early February. Mothers nurse their pups for only a month before mating and heading out to the open ocean. Pups typically stay through March.
How: Through March 31, elephant seals can be viewed via 2.5-hour docent-led walks , involving a moderate, 3- to 4-mile hike on varied terrain that includes sand dunes. Tours operate rain or shine.
The tours start up again Dec. 15, and are available every day, except Christmas Day and Feb. 1-2.
Cost: Tours are $7 per person plus a $3.99 reservation fee. Children age 4 and under are free.
Online reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekends and holidays. Phone number: (650) 879-2025 Where : Point Reyes National Seashore (37 miles north of San Francisco) Elephant seals can be viewed at the Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock; at the South Beach Overlook just north of the Point Reyes Lighthouse visitors’ parking lot; and on the beach beside the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center.
When: Females typically start giving birth in late December. Pups may stay into April. How: Roads in the National Seashore provide easy access to areas for viewing.
Areas and roads may be closed at times to protect the animals. Cost: Free Phone: (415) 464-5100 Where : Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve (50 miles north of San Luis Obispo) When: Mothers begin giving birth in mid-December, with pupping continuing into February. The young seals usually depart in March, and some may remain into early April.
How: Parking lots are beside Highway 1 about a mile south of the entrance to the Piedras Blancas Light Station Natural Area. Accessible boardwalks extend from the north and south side of the parking lot, and paths lead to observation platforms. Cost: Free Phone: (831) 649-2870 Where : The Marine Mammal Center in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge) When: The center begins to receive sick or injured pups around February, and many more arrive in mid-March through May.
How: Various tour options Cost: Self-guided tours: free. Tablet tour: $5. Guided tours: $15 adults, $8 students and seniors.
Behind-the-scenes tour: $20 adults, $10 students and seniors. Phone: (415) 653-1870 Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Report an error Policies and Standards Contact Us Most Popular Harriette Cole: I think it’s fair that my husband get a vasectomy, but he refuses Harriette Cole: I think it's fair that my husband get a vasectomy, but he refuses Miss Manners: If only one of you is wearing clothes, then you’re not friends Miss Manners: If only one of you is wearing clothes, then you're not friends Bay Area golf course preps for wide-ranging revamp and modernization Bay Area golf course preps for wide-ranging revamp and modernization San Jose is latest city to institute first responder fee for medical calls San Jose is latest city to institute first responder fee for medical calls SF Giants reveal Opening Day roster with one major surprise SF Giants reveal Opening Day roster with one major surprise Asking Eric: My husband’s strategy is to keep talking about his problem until I fix it Asking Eric: My husband's strategy is to keep talking about his problem until I fix it Dear Abby: My husband is interested in two things, and our marriage isn’t one of them Dear Abby: My husband is interested in two things, and our marriage isn't one of them Judge orders VTA employees back to work, service to resume Friday Judge orders VTA employees back to work, service to resume Friday Asking Eric: I know it isn’t first-date talk, but when do I say I want an FLR? Asking Eric: I know it isn't first-date talk, but when do I say I want an FLR? Harriette Cole: I finally got a letter from the father I never knew, and I’m not impressed Harriette Cole: I finally got a letter from the father I never knew, and I'm not impressed.
