[…]enjoy San Simeon’s famous Elephant Seal population. Elephant Seal Facts The largest seal in the northern hemisphere, the Northern Elephant Seal migrates to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery twice each year. While offshore, the Elephant Seal spends 8-10 months diving up to 5,800 feet deep for up to two […]
[…]an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 northern elephant seals exist in the wild, inhabiting the waters of the North Pacific as far north as Alaska and as far south as Baja California. But it wasn’t always this way.Starting in the early 19th century, hunters began systematically killing the marine mammals and harvested their […]
[…]Elephant Seal Rookery on the park’s northern end. Here, witness the life cycle of hundreds of Northern Elephant Seals in their natural habitat, with docents on hand to answer questions. Hearst Castle State Historical Monument A visit to this uniquely beautiful state park should be on every traveler’s bucket list. […]
[…]driftwood sculpted by time and the sea. When visiting at low tide, discover tide pools along the northern point of the beach, where hermit crabs skitter over the rocks. Other wildlife include sea birds, seals, and whales during migration season. At the point, this walk provides a remote and peaceful […]
[…]Northern Elephant Seal Rookeries in the world, with 25,000 seals migrating there annually. The Northern Elephant seal is the second-largest seal in the world, and the largest in the northern hemisphere. Come witness these majestic creatures as they mate, spar, birth and molt, just off Highway 1. The seals can […]
[…]the scenery and glimpse abundant wildlife. Traveling the most iconic road in the nation through northern San Luis Obispo County provides the best way to take it all in.A stop in Cambria offers boutique shopping along the classic Main Street that connects the East and West Villages. A variety of […]
[…]long state beach with a view of Morro Rock actually comprises two strips of coastline. The northern end of Morro Strand State Beach lies between 24th Street and Chaney Avenue; the southern section spans Yerba Buena Street to Atascadero Road. In 1916, a land developer named Edward Lewis purchased this […]
[…]Butterfly Nature PreserveThousands of Monarch butterflies migrate to the northern edge of the Oceano Dunes each year. The small eucalyptus grove, just off Highway 1, serves as a protected overwintering site for the butterflies. Like birds, Monarchs migrate twice per year up and down the West Coast. When cold weather […]
[…]Beach and a variety of tide pools during low tide. Also north of the light station, check out the Northernmost Boucher Trailhead, which provides access to the beach and has a great selection of tide pools. (Just be careful of any Elephant Seals on the beach! Give those guys a […]
[…]rehabilitation and reintroduction of an orca to her family: Springer, an orphan from the Northern Resident killer whale community who was lost in the Puget Sound, 300 miles from her home off northern Vancouver Island. A coalition of local organizations and state and federal agencies from Canada and the United […]
[…]as they make their way north. The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is where the beautiful northern elephant seals migrate thousands of miles twice each year from the open ocean to this land-based rookery for breeding, birthing, molting, and resting between trips. The Piedras Blancas rookery is located on Highway […]
[…]whale watching Gray whale southern migration starts in December and ends in February, while the northern migration occurs through March and April. Other species can be seen year-round. Elevated whale watching viewpoint Located on the south end of Cambria’s coastline, the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve provides nice elevated spots for whale […]
[…]to access scenic Moonstone Beach from the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve by walking 1.8 miles from the northernmost entrance north along Windsor Boulevard. Cambria hikes are full of exciting surprises, including incredible wildlife and sightseeing opportunities. Learn more about the best trails available at Fiscalini Ranch including hikes perfect for first-timers, […]
[…]Rookery, just north of San Simeon. This beach is a natural habitat and mating ground for the Great Northern Elephant Seal. This species can be found as far south as Baja, Mexico, and as far north as Alaska, but the Central Coast is a favorite migratory spot. Here, adult elephant […]
[…]up close and personal with wildlife like you’ve never seen it before. The majestic Great Northern Elephant Seal migrates to a rookery just north of San Simeon each year, transforming quiet beaches into live theater. Males brawl, females give birth, and pups squeal — and visitors can watch them from […]
[…]even orcas make frequent appearances along this length of the California coast.Elephant SealsThe northern hemisphere’s largest Northern Elephant Seal rookery stands lies along the San Simeon coast near Piedras Blancas Point. Open to the public, the rookery hosts up to 24,000 elephant seals annually, from newborn pups to 2-ton males. […]
[…]business founded by Frank and Marti Menacho in 1999, when they purchased a 160 acre orchard in the Northern Sierra foothills of California. In 2007 they pulled up stakes (literally uprooted the trees) and moved the orchard to Creston in northern San Luis Obispo County. It was a huge operation, […]
[…]only famous resident. Visitors to San Simeon will find books, art and souvenirs related to the Northern Elephant Seals and their migratory rookery here, too. First, see the elephant seals in person at the rookery on Highway 1. Then head 8 miles south to the Plaza del Cavalier in San […]
[…]State Marine ReserveThese two sanctuaries sit side-by-side against the Big Sur shoreline between northern Point Sur and southern Cooper Point. (This is at the southern end of Andrew Molera State Park.) The SMR is the offshore area of the two, while the SMCA comprises the coastline and intertidal zones. Point […]
[…]creatures of all shapes and sizes among the tidepools. Especially look for tide pools along the northern shore of the beach, and always visit at low tide for the best viewing. Among the rock outcroppings, find periwinkle snails, mussels, limpets, anemones and gooseneck barnacles — as well as many other […]
