I love seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. It makes me feel alive and connected to nature and the world around me. (Check out my Top 10 List of Nature Sights I Want to See for a few of my dream trips.)
So it should come as no surprise that I’d want to share the experience of seeing wild animals in the wild with my kids. And this weekend we did just that.
Año Nuevo State Park is home to a large colony of Northern elephant seals, one of the few places on the mainland where these marine mammals can be seen. Although the seals are here most of the year, winter is the breeding season, bringing the largest numbers ashore.
From December through March, guided walks let people see the seals while respecting both the animals and their living space.
Docent-led walks are limited to about 20 participants, last about 2.5 hours and cover about 3 miles. Certainly not the type of experience most people might imagine when thinking about introducing kids to wildlife watching.
But the effort was totally worth it.
Our docent Michael gave us the elephant seal 101 talk as we worked our way toward the beach. We learned that the males come ashore first, followed by the pregnant females who eventually give birth. We timed our visit for the height of the season, meaning we’d see males, females and pups aplenty.
We had a close up view of hundreds of these creatures engaging in all kinds of behavior – from mating and nursing to fighting and protecting pups. We had a front row seat for an absolutely marvelous display of nature.
The big explorer was mesmerized by everything; the little explorer fascinated with the binoculars I’d shared with him just for the occasion.
In spite of the hike to get there, the relatively short viewing time (maybe 30 minutes total) and the long trek back, neither of the kids complained. And both are asking when we can go back.
Tips for Visiting With Kids
- Know your kids’ limits. This is considered a moderately strenuous 3-mile walk, parts of it up & over steep, rolling sand dunes. Decide if the walk is doable and the reward (seeing the elephant seals up close) worth it for your kids before you head out.
- Be prepared for the weather. Dress in layers, including rain gear. Bring along hats and wear comfortable hiking shoes. Bring along a change of clothes for the ride home.
- Eat a good meal before you start. You can bring snacks for before & after the walk, but eating is not permitted once you begin the 2.5-hour jaunt.
Planning Essentials
- Año Nuevo State Park is located on State Route 1, about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz (a 1.5-hour drive south from San Francisco)
- Año Nuevo State Park facilities include a bookstore & natural history exhibit; picnic tables & restrooms are also available
- Elephant seal viewing between December & March is by guided walk only; advanced reservations are highly recommended
- Guided walks are $7 per person; kids 3 and under are FREE
- Walks are roughly 3-miles long, last about 2.5 hours & are considered “moderately strenuous”
- Walks operate daily from early morning to mid-afternoon, rain or shine
- Reservations can be made online up to 56 days in advance, or by telephone at 800-444-4445
- Winter weather at Año Nuevo State Park can be extreme & unpredictable so be prepared for windy, rainy conditions & muddy trails
- You may bring a snack or picnic lunch for before or after the walk, but no eating is allowed during walks
- Umbrellas & strollers are not permitted (for safety reasons); no pets allowed
- Parking is $10; free with a California State Parks Pass
Año Nuevo State Park is located at:
Pascadero, CA 94060
(650) 879-2025
@Mel: You know, we noticed the stink for like 2 minutes. Then it seemed to vanish. Not sure what that means, exactly!
Did you get close enough to notice how stinky they are? That's the lasting impression I have from seeing them. What a great opportunity for the explorers!