Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

Wildlife Viewing Station - Elephant Seals in San Simeon

Located just 10 minutes from The Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery offers visitors a unique opportunity to view these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat. The elephant seals spend about 8 to 10 months a year living in the ocean. Twice a year, the elephant seals migrate to this land-based rookery for birthing, breeding, molting, and resting. The cycle starts in November when mature males begin arriving. Females typically arrive in December, when birthing and breeding occurs. The three peak times of the year to view the seals is in late January (when most births have occurred), early May (the peak of the juvenile/adult female molt), and in late October (juvenile haul-out). The Elephant Seal Rookery sprawls across six miles of shoreline around Point Piedras Blancas and features a dedicated viewing area that is open 365 days a year and is wheelchair accessible. There is also an Elephant Seal Rookery Visitor Center and Gift Shop located at The Plaza Del Cavalier in San Simeon, just a short walk from The Cavalier Oceanfront Resort.