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Trip Planner:   USA  /  California  /  San Luis Obispo County  /  San Simeon  /  Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center

Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, San Simeon

4.9
#1 of 66 in Parks in San Luis Obispo County
Must see · Gift & Specialty Shop · Visitor Center
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Driving along Highway 1 in California, close to San Simeon and four miles north of the Hearst Castle, you can see Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center. With over 5000 births per year, the estimated total colony size of 25,000 seals makes this site the largest mainland rookery (birthing place) for the Northern  Elephant Seal species. Protected from storms and predators, with wide sandy beaches and shallow rocky areas, this location is ideal for the seals. Depending on the time of year, you can witness the birth of baby seals, hear the iconic roar of male seals during the breeding season, or watch young seals spar with each other on the beach and in the surf. Using our international travel planner, San Simeon attractions like Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
3,114 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By 8888Lim
    There are some volunteer guides and they explained us details about the elephant seals. Amazing visit there. 
    There are some volunteer guides and they explained us details about the elephant seals. Amazing visit there.  more »
  • By E1028DPkevinr
    AMAZING! Must see. Saw huge males fighting, moms nursing there pups. So many numbers. We had never seen this many in one location. 
    AMAZING! Must see. Saw huge males fighting, moms nursing there pups. So many numbers. We had never seen this many in one location.  more »
  • By 7LynneH
    We only stopped for a short time. Weather was really rough outside. The views are excellent from the platform. They are a delight to see! 
    We only stopped for a short time. Weather was really rough outside. The views are excellent from the platform. They are a delight to see!  more »
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