Elephant Seal Tours
Join us for the official launch of the new guided northern elephant seal tours at Hearst San Simeon State Park. What better way to ring in the New Year than to experience a fun, educational tour of the area’s most charismatic megafauna guided by knowledgeable State Park Interpreters. On the tour you will enjoy learning about the elephant seal lifecycle while overlooking battling bulls, birthing cows, and cackling pups. Don't forget to bring your binoculars for a spectacular wildlife experience like you have never seen before!
Tours for the 2023 spring season will run through Saturday March 4th 2023. California State Parks Staff will be onsite to greet tour goers at 9am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For safety reasons, viewing access is only permitted when accompanied by trained Park staff during the tour.?
Tours will meet at one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline that Hearst San Simeon State Park has to offer, Arroyo Laguna, located 2.25 miles north of the Hearst Castle Entrance on the oceanside of HWY 1 (35°39'11.04"N, 121°13'18.83"W). The tour to see the elephant seals includes a 45 minute, 1/2 mile guided trail walk, and is considered easy with varied terrain. Tickets are $13 per person and onsite parking is free. Tickets are available for purchase on the day of the tour only at the meeting location mentioned above.
In addition to the tour, we recommend a visit to the Piedras Blancas Northern Elephant Seal Rookery Viewing Area, 4.5 miles north of Hearst Castle on HWY 1, open daily, free to all visitors, and featuring ADA access to all viewing boardwalks.
Know Before You Go:
You will be hiking in loose and rocky soil with potentially wet and muddy conditions. Coastal weather can be chilly and change quickly. Please wear sturdy, close-toed shoes and dressing in warm layers in recommended. pan>
For more information call:
805-776-2564
