Elephant Seals are seen year-round at the Piedras Blancas Rookery. We never tire of visiting the elephant seals near San Simeon. Their deep trumpeting will echo across the beach. The other is Hearst-San Simeon State Park and the elephant seal vista point located about 5 miles north of Hearst Castle along the coast of San Luis Obispo County. Take an incredible Big Sur day trip that covers all the highlights including Point Lobos, Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Elephant Seal Rookery, and more. That return happens mainly at two major locations at two different California State Parks. One is located at Año Nuevo State Park along the San Mateo Coast south of San Francisco. Following the coast of California to Big Sur—some of the most beautiful land in the state, if not in the world—with a stop to see Elephant seals. Come see these magnificent marine mammals up close on one of the prettiest coastlines in California. I said adios to Big Sur, and started driving home. Here is a map of the San Simeon elephant seal rookery locations. Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons ... especially at this beach along Highway 1’s southern entrance to Big Sur. Elephant Seal Rockery The Elephant Seal Rookery (obviously) west of Highway 1. Sometimes they are sleeping and lazy and other times sparring right before your eyes! (see map) Piedras Blancas Point is named for the three white rocks located just off the end of the point.In 1866, this location was chosen to fill the gap between the lighthouses at … Getting around the Highway 1 road closure is as simple as splitting Big Sur into 2 different road trips. The largest elephant seal colony on the mainland is at Big Sur's Piedras Blancas, just a few miles north of Cambria. Get an up close look at the giant walrus-like elephant seals on the narrow strip of rocky beach known as Piedras Blancas (white rocks). If you’re an animal lover, get ready to spend hours in this land-based seal rookery, where the huge marine mammals breed, birth, molt, and rest. The big, blubbery elephant seal bulls have started arriving at Piedras Blancas since late November. Friends of the Elephant Seals! Travel. Rome2rio makes travelling from Big Sur to Piedrasblancas easy. Best times of year to see these amazing animals in action are October through May with the big show (birthing and breeding) in January and February. This Big Sur road trip guide covers 10 epic Pacific coast Highway stops for that perfect northern California road trip itinerary from Carmel to San Simeon. Spot number 1 is the ‘secret spot’, which has a small and basic car park. Seal Yoga at Elephant Seal Rookery. Find all the transport options for your trip from Big Sur to Piedrasblancas right here. Nature unfolding just Elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are true seals, or earless seals, members of the pinniped suborder.What marvelous creatures they are: huge blubbery males with the pendulous noses that give these beasts their name; winsome females whose faces seem to be etched with a permanent smile; and endearing plump babies with big appetites. Spot number 2 is the official Elephant Seal Vista Point, complete with huge car park and dozens of eager tourists. Viewing Guidelines The Seals One of the biggest thrills on your trip up or down Highway 1 will be a stop south of Big Sur at the fascinating Piedra Blancas elephant seal rookery. Piedras Blancas Light Station is located on California's central coast, just north of San Simeon. Map of Elephant Seal Rookeries. 90 miles long road through Big Sur is part of the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH1 and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. With kids. ... Cayucos for cookies (the ones at the Brown Butter Cookie Company are amazing), and at the incredible Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery. With the reality of a workweek setting in, I drained the water off my tent and packed it up. On a whim, I stopped by the pungent elephant seal rookery again, and remarkably, in a nearby cove, there were several surfers in the water. Southern Big Sur – SUMMER UPDATE: There is a section of Highway 1 in Big Sur that won’t be fixed for a while, and although you cannot drive directly from Carmel to Cambria, don’t let that stop you from exploring the area! It spends eight to ten months a year in the open ocean, diving 1000 to 5800 feet deep for periods of fifteen minutes to two hours, and migrating thousands of miles, twice a year, to its land-based rookery for birthing, breeding, molting, and rest. This is a free park and view area, short, easy walk and great for the family to stop and just take it in. When Bob and I were looking for things to do along our California road trip, I stumbled upon the Elephant Seal Rookery just south of Big Sur. The northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, is an extraordinary marine mammal. Immediately I was reminded of our experience at Seal Beach on Kangaroo Island and I knew it was somthing I wanted to add to our itinerary.