ano nuevo elephant seal tours

We booked reservations and were surprised how far out they were booked. On our appointed day, we packed a picnic lunch and after paying 10.00 to park, sat and ate lunch at the picnic tables. There is no food around except Pie Ranch and none sold on the premises. We also packed water for the trail. There are restrooms along the way. It is a bit of a walk and is uneven at times with puddles, and some sand hills. Not stroller friendly. The docent was knowledgable, friendly and helpful. We had small children with us and he related to them as well as the older ones. It is a great experience to get up close with the docent explaining behaviors and migrations. Well worth the ticket price. It took longer than we had anticipated. They had overbooked the tour and asked some to stay back for the next one. We arrived at 12:00 for a 1:00 tour and did not get out until 4:45. I suggest layering clothes as it can be hot then cold or windy with changing conditions. Also, carry water!

Parking $10/car, $7/person admission for guided tour reservations required. Allow about 2.5 hours hike round trip along 3.5 mile trail round trip that's partly paved mostly dirt some puddles and then uneven sand dunes not stroller nor wheelchair accessible. Cameras and water bottles are fine to bring, binoculars are handy but if have camera zoom not really needed cause so close. The visitor center parking area has picnic tables and restrooms but no food is sold here nor anywhere closer than Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz (about half hour drive). There are restrooms about 1/5 along first part of hike at staging area where ranger gives skulls demonstration and you turn over hike tickets but not past that. Some elephant seals you can get as close as 25 ft to, mostly you're group is on a slightly higher sand dung overlooking whole beach covered in few hundred elephant seals. Tourists of all ages had good time, if you can walk up a flight of stairs without being winded you should do fine walking over sand dunes. Visitor center fairly small so mainly it's just the hike to do to see the elephant seals and then either have picnic or just go on to other stuff like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 30 minutes away.

It is a Really cool experience to come and go on these inexpensive tours. It is a great way to learn more about elephant seals in an amazingly beautiful setting.

I will preface this by saying that I am probably spoiled by having seen massive amounts of Southern Elephant Seals on the beaches on South Georgia Island and having relatively close access to them. Thus, I was disappointed in the tour at Ano Nuevo for a few reasons:- The docent we had wanted to run the walk like a military parade, complaining when visitors even step aside to read some placards or take photos. This wasn't even at an area where the elephant seals were, so it was not an issue of danger or safety. - Of the 2.5 hours of the walk, only about 15 or so minutes is spent at the viewpoint overlooking the beach with the seals (you may also see some further up from the beach along the walk). This is really not enough time to get to soak in the experience or get a good feel for the seals' behavior. I assume this is so they can whisk in the next tour group, which runs at 15 minute intervals. Overall, it would be nice to allow the visitors some additional freedom and longer time to enjoy the experience, even if it means fewer tours.

The gate attendant said that she probably get us on a tour if we came back the next day at 11 am. We did and they did, so try if you can't get a hard-to-get reservation. The tour took fro 11;30 to 2. Bring water and good walking shoes. There is a bit of sandy, dune climbing. But if I can do it, most will be able to walk it's 3 miles. It is quite worthwhile to see and experience. The guides have lots of info. This recovery of the elephant seal's is a wonderful example of what can be done for nearly extinct species.

It's that time to get your reservation for the tour. Sometimes you can get a 'pick-up' ticket. we went on a Friday at 2:45 - only the 3 of us on the tour. the on-line ticket site said none were available but we took the chance. of course all the tours before and after us were booked solid. Great Docents and Park Rangers. The young bulls were battling it out in the background surf. the big bulls were watching and protecting their harems. cows were nursing their calves. just wonderful. Our east coast visitor had never heard of Elephant Seals, and was amazed by their size, history and activity....like watching a nature program. it's a long walk on gravel paths, sand dunes and boardwalks. They also have a disabled access tour = shuttle ride to elevated boardwalk = reservations are required for this tour. No toilets at seal area. Flush toilets at VC, and chemical toilets before tour start point. The Visitor's Center also has lots of information and great displays.

We visited first week of July when the elephant seals were molting or changing skin. We didn't join any tour, but we stayed in Costanoa camp and lodging which is only few miles away. The seals were moving slowly and basking under the sun, though I think they are probably more active during mating season when the bulls, or male elephant seals, establish themselves among the others.We saw probably 10 of them from the first lookout. The volunteer guides were helpful and friendly. Be ready to walk about 2 miles. Toilets are located at the museum at the beginning of the trail.

we did not take a tour we just walked to see the elephant seals.the walk is long bout two and half miles through dirt and sand dunes.there are information signs that are helpful and interesting.there was a volunteer standing at the last viewing area and she answered all our questions.do not let the distance scare you off,the walk is enjoyable.sneakers with socks are a good idea a bottle of water for sure.there are bathrooms at the beginning of the hike and an outhouse in the middle of hike.this was a perfect day glad i did it!!!!there is a parking fee,i don't know how much because i paid ten$ for parking for all state parks for the day.

In February we visited this amazing reserve and went on the 2.5 hour tour; it was one of the real highlights of our whole two weeks travelling through CA. There were young pups, but the huge bulls were still fighting for their harems, an incredible sight (and sound). Our volunteer guide was superbly knowledgeable and we got extremely close to the colony. Brilliant value for money, but make sure you check on activity depending upon the season and book in advance at peak times.

Lovely hike along the coastal bluffs just south of SF. Go in the winter (esp.Feb) when there are guided walks to the breeding elephant seal colony. Guides are very informative. Area is gorgeous. Great hike/walk, just enough distance without being too tough or too wimpy. The elephant seals are amazing. Stay at nearby Costanoa and go for the first or second walk in the morning.

The females are having their pups and the males are fighting for a harem. it's a 3.5 mile walk on gravel paths and loose sand dunes. bring water, sun screen, binoculars, camera or video, layered clothing, and a rain jacket as needed. wind kicks up away from the visitor center. tours are by reservation. there's a shuttle service available by reservation for people who can't walk that far - 1,000 ft walk on wooden boardwalk with a couple of benches. besides the bull elephant seals fighting and posing for positions, the pups waddling around and nursing - we saw porpoises and whales in the distance, sea lions and harbor seals, deer, and an assortment of shore and inland birds. only 1/2 hour drive from Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz - along beautiful Hwy 1. we stayed overnight in Half Moon Bay for our early morning tour time.

It is great 2 to 2 1/2 hrs guided walk to see the elephant seals. As we were walking with our docent, a park ranger told us that there was a huge male lying right on the trail. They are huge.. No wonder they are called elephant seals. We got to see them very close. There were two males fighting.. A sight to see. It looked like they fight, rest and then fight, rest again.d

We went on this tour on a Friday morning at 9am (2nd tour of the day) in early January. Very interesting, lots of walking, but you don't even realize how much you've walked until it's over. Our volunteer guide (Sheryl) was amazing, very informative and knowledgeable (and funny too). We loved the tour and highly recommend it. We got to see an elephant seal be born (which apparently is quite rare), although the beach was not was full as Sheryl said it usually was, there was still more than enough "action" to keep us interested. Lots of walking on the tour, including walking on sand and through the dunes, which can be a little difficult at times - although nothing super strenuous, I think you walk about 3 miles total. Recommend going early (as the school groups started coming through around 10am). Sheryl also said the July/August is another good time of year to come. She also said, the worse the weather, the better the tour tends to be (yes, they do the tour rain or shine). Our tour was just windy and overcast. Highly recommend this tour if you like the outdoors and nature. Bring your camera and binocular (as you don't get super close). Would not recommend for young children, as the one kid in our group seemed to get very bored very fast. I did see a previous review that said the bathrooms were horrible. I thought they were just fine (it's a park after all), and they had flush toilets to boot!

Recently visited the park for the 2.5 hour guided tour of the Bull Elephant Seals during their breeding season (Jan-March). Amazing experience to see and hear the bulls braying and throwing their massive weight around while claiming their turf and protecting their harem. The bulls are the size of a SUV & are a sight to behold while tussling with fellow males in the water or while pestering the poor pregnant female seals on shore. We were able to get close for some great photos of moms, babies, and bellowing males. A few solitary elephant seals were just randomly snoozing on the dunes or sand trails as we passed. Most sightings are from a distance though to protect the habitat, so bring binoculars. Dress in layers as we had an unseasonably warm day for Jan. and most of us were climbing the sand in hot & heavy clothing. The tour covers approximately 3.5 miles & is considered moderately strenuous due to the uneven walking conditions on the trails & sand. Our volunteer guide (Lindsey) was fabulous and went out of her way to make sure we had all the photos, information, and views that we wanted. Our tour went about 30-40 minutes past the allotted time, so be prepared to bring water if you need it. If you take one of the earlier morning tours, you might be lucky enough to see more wildlife (bobcats, deer, coyotes). I highly recommend this jewel of a park. Nice gift shop, with friendly staff, too.Have lived in Calif. for over 20 years and it took me this long to get there. So glad we made the trip! Just a couple hours from our hometown, a beautiful, impossibly scenic drive down Hwy. 1, and lots of fun places to stop and/or spend the night along the way (Pescardero, Hwy. 1 Brewing Company, Bean Hollow Park & Beach, Butano Park, The Distillery near Moss Beach, Half Moon Bay & its Brewing Company, etc. etc).Please go and support our national park system and one of California's unparalleled attractions.

We went on the elephant seal walk in late December. It was really interesting although the females hadn't arrived yet so we didn't get to see the males competing for the females by fighting each other. There were many sleeping and only a few active. i want to go back in late January when I think there will be more action!