Viewing the Elephant Seals

VIEWING THE SEALS APRIL-NOVEMBER

April - November: Elephant seal viewing is self-guided from April to November. No tours or reservations are needed to visit the elephant seals.

Starting April 1, guided tours are not required to see the seals. Instead, you walk out to the viewing areas on your own on the Año Point Trail. At each of the viewing areas, there is a docent to explain what you’re seeing and answer questions. A free permit is required to visit the seals. The free permit is available at the park from 8:30-3:30, daily. There is a day use/parking fee. Visitors will not be able to obtain a permit after 3:30 pm due to the length of time it takes to hike to the viewing areas. Your visit to see the seals is a self-guided walk.

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 recomended. The farthest viewing area is a 4-mile roundtrip walk from the parking lot. The closest viewing area is about a 3-mile roundtrip walk from parking. Which viewing areas we open all depends on the seals. If they are blocking trails to a viewing area, we don't open that spot. The walk is mostly flat, with one tall sand dune to walk over. 

Visitors requiring mobility assistance are encouraged to make a reservation for an Equal Access Tour. 

Specialty Seal Walks

Spring, Summer, Fall Guided Walks - Elephant seal viewing is self-guided from April to November. No reservation or guided tour is needed. To schedule a guided walk with a docent for an organized group during this time, contact the park at 650-879-2029.

School Group Walks are offered year-round Monday through Friday mornings for 4-12 grades and in the spring for K-3 grades. 

Equal Access Walks are offered to visitors who require mobile assistance and cannot make the 3-4 mile walk.

 

Guided Walk Reservations: TOURS RUN DECEMBER 15-MARCH 31

Reservations for Public Walks go on sale October 20. You will not see reservations listed until that date.

To make reservations for the Elephant Seal Guided Walks visit ReserveCalifornia or call 1-800-444-4445. International Reservations 518-218-5078

Call Center Hours: Daily 8am - 6pm.

ReserveCalifornia is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. All times are Pacific Standard Time.

There are no ticket refunds or exchanges for cancellations, no shows, weather, or late arrivals. Refunds are issued only when the park staff must cancel a walk. As much notice as possible will be given in the event of a cancellation.

Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent DECEMBER 15-MARCH 31

The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the natural and cultural history of the park. Elephant seal acivities and population counts can vary widely throughout the guided walk season. 

General Information

When: Guided walks begin December 15 and continue every day until March 31 with exceptions on December 25 (Christmas) and February 3-4 for an annual fundraising event, Seal Adventure. 

Who: During the guided walk season, walks are offered daily for families, individuals, or groups. Children age 17 and under require one adult chaperone for each 10 children. Each walk has a capacity of 15 people, including chaperones.

Length: The trail to see the elephant seals includes a 3-4 mile hike and is considered moderate with varied terrain including sand dunes. 

Time Needed: Guided walks run 2.5 hours from start to finish and operate daily from early morning to mid-afternoon, rain or shine.

Price: $7.00 + $3.99 reservation fee for public walks. Children age 4 and under are free.

How: Online reservations are highly recommended, espeically weekends and holidays.

Guided Walk Reservations 

Reservations for Public Walks go on sale October 20. Tickets are then released 1-56 days ahead of the ticket date. 

Guided Walks are offered December 15-March 31.

To make reservations for the Elephant Seal Guided Walks visit ReserveCalifornia or call 1-800-444-4445. International Reservations 518-218-5078

Call Center Hours: Daily 8am - 6pm.

ReserveCalifornia is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. All times are Pacific Standard Time.

There are no ticket refunds or exchanges for cancellations, no shows, weather, or late arrivals. Refunds are issued only when the park staff must cancel a walk. As much notice as possible will be given in the event of a cancellation.

What Should I Bring?

  • Elephant seal walks are conducted rain or shine. Winter weather can be very cold and windy, even on sunny days. Rain is frequent and the trail may be muddy with small puddles.
  • Visitors should bring hooded rain gear, a warm jacket, layered clothing, and sturdy walking shoes. Bring water for drinking on the trail.
  • Cameras and photography are permitted. Although there are no restrictions on flashes, photographers are restricted to stay with the guided walk group and cannot leave. Staying 25 feet from the elephant seals is firmly enforced. 
  • Binoculars are helpful for seeing seals further out on the beaches and on the island.

What Not To Bring

  • For safety reasons, umbrellas are not permitted on the walks. 
  • Baby strollers are also not permitted for safety reasons. Families may use them for the first .9 mile walk to the staging area but must then leave them there for the rest of the tour. 
  • No food is allowed on the tour, but you may picnic in designated areas before or after the guided walk.
  • Pets are not allowed in the park and cannot be left inside parked vehicles in the parking lot.