Año Nuevo Elephant Seal Reserve

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Año Nuevo Elephant Seal Reserve

Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🥾 Hike · Pescadero

3 hours · $$ · Reservation required

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 1.0
1–3 yrs
★ 2.0
3–5 yrs
★ 3.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 65 min drive
    From Sunnyvale · Parking: $10 parking
  • 🎒
    Carrier recommended
    Terrain isn't stroller-friendly; a carrier is easier
  • 🌳
    Little shade
    Great on sunny days · Wind-OK · Good on cool days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 3 hours
    Best seasons: Winter

From December to March, thousands of elephant seals haul out to battle and give birth — a world-class spectacle; but the guided hike is 3 miles over sand dunes, tough going for little ones.

💡 Tips
Guided tours must be booked ahead in peak season (parks.ca.gov); bring a carrier since strollers aren't allowed; better suited to ages 4 and up.

What this place offers

✓elephant seals
✓guided hike
✓reservation required
✓sand dunes
✓carrier

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This weekend's weather in Pescadero

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☀️
Sat 10/17
Sunny · 59–78°F · 0% rain
🌤️
Sun 10/18
Partly cloudy · 54–65°F · 1% rain

Location

Pescadero, California

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