Visiting Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park's rich variety of natural and cultural resources draws visitors from around the world. The park’s Natural Preserve offers an extraordinary wilderness experience, where every year up to 10,000 elephant seals return to breed, give birth, and molt their skin amongst the scenic dunes and beaches.

The park features the Marine Education Center boasting a natural history exhibit, bookstore, and theater. This complex is housed in the historic nineteenth century dairy ranch of the Dickerman/Steele family. These restored buildings recall the early American settlers, while the midden sites throughout the Natural Preserve tell us the story of the Quiroste Indians that lived peacefully here for thousands of years prior to the 1600s. Cove Beach is a short walk from here for beachgoers and surfers.

The physical terrain of Año Nuevo is distinctive, with coastal terrace prairie, wetland marshes, dune fields and coastal scrub hosting a high diversity of plants and animals, including the rare and endangered San Francisco Garter Snake and California Red-legged Frog.

A hike out along ocean bluffs brings visitors to Año Nuevo Point, a major bird migratory route and fantastic birding location.  Located just offshore sits Año Nuevo Island and the remains of a 19th century lighthouse and fog signal station.  Built in 1872, the historic keeper's house now provides a new home to Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants as well as California Sea Lions. Otters and harbor seals are often sighted in the waters and magnificent Steller Sea Lions take up residence on the outlaying rocks.

Click here to learn about visiting the northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park.

Experience the Elephant Seals Year-Round

One of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal is at Año Nuevo State Park. A Natural Preserve has been established to protect the elephant seals along with many other animals such as otters, California sea lions, coyotes, cormorants, terns and more. Native plants and an untouched intertidal ecosystem also find shelter inside the Natural Preserve.  Elephant seals can be observed here year round either on a docent lead tour or through a self guided permit system within the Wildlife Viewing Area.

 Sept 1 to Nov 30 - Juvenille Seal Haul-out

During the "Juvenile Haul-out" the Wildlife Viewing Area is open for self-guided hiking by Visitor Permit only. Obtain your free Visitor Permit daily from the entrance station, between 8:30 am and 3:30 p.m. No reservations are required and no Guided Walks are offered. Visitors must exit the area by 5 p.m., which is earlier than the general parks closing hour of sunset. Please plan to arrive early enough to obtain a permit. These popular three-to-four mile hikes are considered moderate with varied terrain inlcuding sand dunes. Most groups require about two and a half to three hours to make the round-trip hike. The viewing areas close at 5pm. 

The Wildlife Viewing area within the Natural Preserve will be closed for elephant seal viewing December 1 through December 14. Park access to areas outside the of the Wildlife Viewing Area will remain open until sunset, including Cove Beach.

Dec 1st to 14th - Seal Viewing Closed

The Natural Preserve will be closed for elephant seal viewing December 1 through December 14. Park access to areas outside the of Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve will remain open until sunset, including Cove Beach.

Dec 15 to Mar 31 - Elephant Seal Guided Walks

During the breeding season daily access to the Natural Preserve is available only via guided walks. Visitors who hope to see the elephant seals during this season are urged to get their reservations early through Reserve America. 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. 

Please plan to arrive early. These popular three-to-four mile hikes are considered moderate with varied terrain inlcuding sand dunes. 

For more information on Guided Walks or to make a reservation CLICK HERE

Important Park Information

The following rules and regulations are for your own safety and to protect the plants and animals that live in this park.

TO SEE THE ELEPHANT SEALS

Elephant seal viewing requires a 3-4 mile moderate hike over varied terrain, including sand dunes. Driving to see them is not an option. Sturdy shoes, layered clothing, water and rain/wind/sun protection are recommended. Visitors requiring mobility assistance are encouraged to make a reservation for an Equal Access Tour.

Visitor permits to see the seals inside the Natural Preserve are issued from  8:30 to 3:30. Visitors will not be able to obtain a permit after 3:30 due to the length of time it takes to hike to the viewing areas.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM SEALS
Elephant seals are dangerous wild animals and are protected by the park. Harassment and disturbance of elephant seals is prohibited by state and federal laws.  Seals can sometimes appear dead due to their quiet nature of sleeping on beaches. However, the majority of the time they are very much alive. Never get within 25 feet of an elephant seal.

NO PETS
Due to the nearby Natural Preserve, pets are not allowed in the park and cannot be left inside parked vehicles in the parking lot.

NO BIKES ON TRAILS
Bikes are prohibited on all trails in the park.

NO COLLECTING
Shells, rocks, wood, plants or animals. All features of this park are preserved and protected by law.

NO SMOKING OR FIRES
Smoking is not permitted in buildings or on guided walks. Fires of all types are prohibited.

NO DRONES
Drone use is prohibited within Año Nuevo State Park.