For a few months out of the year, crowds flock to this popular state park to get a glimpse of something truly fascinating. If you’re a local, Año Nuevo State Park is probably already on your radar. The park is pretty well known during this time of year. Starting in January and going through March, the park holds Elephant Seal Guided Walks. These walks are held by volunteer docents and let guests see hundreds of elephant seals on the beach up close. This experience is a must for Northern Californians. Keep reading for more information.
Located approximately half an hour north of Santa Cruz, Año Nuevo State Park is a fantastic experience all year long. The park is surrounded with stunning marine and bird life no matter what time of year it is.
However, if you're a wildlife enthusiast you'll find that the best time to visit this park is from the beginning of January through the end of March. This is when the park holds its deeply anticipated elephant seal guided walking tours. There are many places throughout Northern California to view elephant seals, but Año Nuevo is the absolute best.
This year, the park is holding tours through March 31st. If you haven't already visited the seals this year, you'll want to plan a trip ASAP. This is a spectacle that just cannot be missed.
Winter is mating season for the elephant seals. The first thing you'll notice upon walking onto the park's grounds is the cacophony of sounds emitting from the beach where hundreds of seals are wailing and honking.
Guided walks are offered daily in the park. They last about 2.5 hours, leading visitors 3-4 miles through a variety of terrains to get a good look at the seals. Entrance to the park is just $10, and the price of the tour is $7.
The tours are extremely popular, so online reservations are highly recommended. The hike through the park is absolutely breathtaking. You'll be led through forests and rolling hills, all within viewpoint of the gorgeous ocean coastline.
It's estimated that around 2,000 pups are born at Año Nuevo every year, with somewhere around 5,000-10,000 returning seals making their way back to the park from areas as far as Alaska.
Seeing elephant seals during mating season is an iconic Northern California experience. You definitely won't forget the sight of these majestic creatures blanketing the beach. For more information, you can visit the park's official website here.
