It is officially elephant seal breeding season! This natural phenomenon is iconic to the Bay Area, and the northern elephant seals, who inhabit the waters from Baja California, Mexico, to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, populate the beaches of the North Bay. Take a short road trip to see these amazing animals in person. They won’t disappoint! Elephant seals’ mating season usually occurs between December and March, but viewing season is at its peak in February when pups can be seen. The newborn seals are born between January and March, typically weigh 75 lbs, and are 4 feet long.
We are especially lucky to have the chance to view these incredible creatures, as they were almost hunted to extinction 100 years ago. In 1910, the estimated elephant seal population was only 100 due to hunting for blubber harvest, but now there are almost 150,000 in the world, with 124,000 off the coast of California. To support these amazing animals, consider paying a visit to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the world’s largest marine mammal center that regularly treats young elephant seals.
If you are searching for a place to spot these seals, look no further!
1. Point Reyes: Located in Marin County, Point Reyes has some of the best elephant seal viewing points in the world. Their Elephant Seal Overlook provides a great view from afar, and if open, Drakes Beach allows for a closer look. There are usually Winter Wildlife Docents around the park to guide you to the seals and provide any additional information.
2. Año Nuevo: Año Nuevo State Park has the world’s largest breeding colony of elephant seals, so they can be seen year-round! In the winter, you must reserve a guided walk down to the beach to see the seals, but if you miss the breeding season, you can still return in the summer or fall for molting and juvenile seasons.
3. Elephant Seals Vista Point: This overlook on the side of Highway One provides a free and accessible way to see these mammals. You can see the seals from the dirt parking lot North of San Simeon, with no hiking or reservation required.
We hope you get the chance to appreciate these animals!
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