Elephant Seal Habitat “Mating and Birthing” at Año Nuevo State Reserve
Mid-December though early March is the height of the Elephant Seal Mating Season. It’s one of the best times to visit and take a tour of Año Nuevo’s Elephant Seal Habitat. The Alpha Bulls (males) arrive around Thanksgiving and the females arrive early December-January. Mating activity peaks during mid-February (Valentine’s Day)!
Elephant Seal Guided Walking Tours
If you are visiting or live in the SF Bay Area, this makes a FUN one-day outing. Special Elephant Seal Guided Walking Tours are available during “breeding season” when the seals come ashore to give birth and mate. Advanced tickets are required. Book early because they sell out very fast.
More Info on Año Nuevo State Reserve
Año Nuevo State Reserve is located west of Highway 1, about 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay (between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz) in Northern California. The Reserve is the largest mainland breeding colony of Elephant Seals and the only Natural Seal Habitat in North America. Today, over 3,000 Elephant Seals come here annually to “Birth,” “Breed” and “Molt.”
We’ve enjoyed several visits to the habitat. Have any of you been there? What did you think of it?
Elephant Seals in San Simeon
FYI… you can also see Elephant Seals in San Simeon, on the Central Coast of California.
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