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Another scenic view spot! Large parking lot if you decide to take a pit stop! It's beautiful!! There are a couple short walking paths if you should choose!
This is a must see experience if you are even remotely close to the area. There is a wooden boardwalk constructed along the beach that you walk along that the elephant seals use to rest on the beach. We feel very lucky that on the day we went we were able to see some emerging from the ocean, laying on the sand, and a couple of males throwing their weight around on each other There is a big dirt lot that you can park in while you look around. Definitely glad we took the time to visit.
This is down the way from Hearst castle and is a must see! Beware of the squirrels in the area, they will follow you and beg for food! There were plenty of elephant seals to view on the sand from the boardwalk. Some just sun bathing and some swimming in the shallow water. Parking is free and so is the view point.
I was laughing and giggling and hooting and hollering and amazed to see the seals up close! I feel like it's an open air zoo! What could be better? You're just yards away from these giant creatures that dominate this beach and use it as their home away from home. We were up there on a cold, windy, misty kind of day. We pulled over into the Vista point parking lot, which is a couple miles north of Sebastian's in San Simeon, California. I jumped out of the car and walked along the path above the beach and I could see a dozen seals as I walked further and further along the cliff path. It does get loud and windy, so be sure to wear some kind of waterproof jacket and some walking shoes! Bring your phone or camera cause these critters are fascinating!
Very beautiful place to see those gorgeous creatures elephants seal. The lady there explained that they just come here to mate and breed they will stay here for 4 months. Within this 4 months they don't eat so they lose their 60% of body weight. They usually stay in Alaska and Hawaii. They travel from so far away. Place have enough parking for visitors. But some of the Indians are left their car middle of the parking while their families still taking selfie with the seal. And back has another 7 car waiting so they can exit. Another Indian left his car middle of road while he is on his phone. Behind him another 4 car they want to enter to the parking lot. Please park your car and wait for your family and use your phone and don't treat this place as like your country India. Don't block other people respect the rules thanks.
I Visited Elephant Seal Vista Point on a college field trip and it turned into such a great adventure. The drive up alone was beautiful the coastal views, cliffs, and ocean scenery the whole way made it feel like part of the experience. seeing the elephant seals in person was amazing there were so many of them just laying out on the beach, some moving around and making loud sounds. You can get a really close view from the boardwalk areas, which made it even more exciting without disturbing. the area is well set up with paths and signs that explain what you're seeing, we also had a guide with us i learned a lot so it felt both fun and educational. It's also free which is a nice. it was unique and memorable stop. Between the scenic drive and seeing the seals up close it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
The Elephant Seal Vista Point (ESVP) is easy to find off the highway. There is a lot with ample parking. There is a small paved/dirt path at one (north?) end of the lot. The park ranger who services the vista point is super friendly and more than willing to answer questions and talk to visitors. The view of the seals is much better than the comparable venue at Pacific Grove. You are much closer and have an unobstructed view at ESVP compared to Pacific Grove. The trail/path does continue to a nearby historic working lighthouse. However, the path has signage that it is a tick/lime disease area, so go at your own risk. While there is a beautiful view on a nice day and the seals are interesting to look at, there is not much else to do here. So you probably don't want to plan to spend more than 30 min at this location. Definitely worth visiting for a short stop and grabbing some nice pics.
This is a great spot to see the elephant seals. There is clear signage to the parking lot. I was there on a weekday. Even in the afternoon, there was plenty of cars going in and out. It was definitely better to go in the early morning when the seals were lying on the sand. They went towards the water in the afternoon.
An easy 10 minute drive from where we were staying. You can see several hundred elephant seal. Either sunbathing, playing in the water, having spicy time with each other and everything else elephant seals do. There were babies in different developmental stages, mother's, females and huge male elephant seals all over the place. Sadly there were even some dead seal babies too that were being picked at by the seagulls. They have a nice observation deck/walkway where you can spread out and take in the views of these wonderful creatures. They even have volunteers there during the day to answer questions about them or give you more information about these marine mammals. The parking lot is massive. Fortunately for us the 3 times we went it was probably less then 10% full so it was really nice. The actual dirt lot where you park bucks. Lots of pot holes. My little corolla suspension and shock was used to the full. The actual walkway is nice and sturdy. They have information boards throughout the place to give you more information. They even have a brochure that gives you independence information about elephant seals. As well as QR codes that goes into videos that provides even more information about them. This place is truly a gem in the area where you get to observe these majestic marine mammals in their natural habitat!!
This is one of those highly trafficked tourist stops, but is worth every moment off Highway 1. The elephant seals are just fascinating to watch. A true medley of grunting, barking and squeaking (if you arrive at baby birthing time.) There are plenty of people, but also plenty of parking and space along the walkway to lean against the fence and take in the show. And the show is superb. If you'd like a bit of a walk, there is a pathway to the North side of the parking lot and you can take it to head out into the bluffs. Pretty long stroll. We never hit the end....granted, it had rained and we were walking in some serious mud at some point unprepared. Enjoy, enjoy one of Highway 1's treasures!
I have been to this vista area many times. We stopped here yesterday. So many Elephant Seals and so many babies. My friend has seen 2 birth 2 separate visits. Pro tip: look for seagulls gathering and there will most likely be a birth there. Parking lot is unpaved and muddy. No bathrooms. A great stop to see wildlife.
We had toured Hearst Castle in the morning and then decided to drive north up Hwy 1 until the road is closed. One of our favorite stops was this elephant seal colony. August is one one the slower months, but there were still a dozen or so elephant seals around. Many birds around too and ground squirrels. Very helpful people around sharing info about all of the wildlife around when we were there. Great trails around to explore, but we didn't have time for that. This is a definite must when in the area!
Decided to make a quick stop before heading to Hearst Castle. It's crazy how close you get to these elephant seals. There were so many to see. Most were relaxing, but there was definitely action happening everywhere you look. PS.... Don't feed the ground squirrels. They look like they are feed well and aren't afraid of humans.
1 month ago
This is always a must stop for me while I'm in these parts near San Simeon, CA. I still think it's pretty darn special to catch a glimpse of an elephant seal. Plus the parking and vista point viewing is free. FREE! I was in these parts in mid-summer. I was able to see quite a good number of elephant seals including some juveniles. They were all on shore to molt (shed their skin). They are known to come to shore to molt in April-August. The vista point has a large parking lot. There are boardwalks to the right and left with views of the beach below. Nobody is allowed onto the beach; it's against the law. Plus as large and blubbery as those seals are; they can move rather quickly and attack. There are informational boards about the elephant seals and habitat. Quite informative. Plus it's worth mentioning again... so here it goes. Parking and access is free. However there are donation boxes and QR codes to the website accepting donations. read more
2 months ago
Elephant Seal Vista Point is a great pit stop to include on your road trip. The area offers an amazing views of the elephant seals lounging along the shore, complemented by refreshing ocean breezes. Additionally, there is a pretty, easy one mile walking trail nearby that provides a great opportunity to stretch your legs. Overall, it is a delightful, completely free experience that the whole family will enjoy, making it well worth the quick stop. read more
What a special place! We came expecting to see elephant seals and lovely beach. We ended up speaking to an unbelievably knowledgeable (free) volunteer docent who educated us, delighted and enlightened us, and enriched the experience immensely. Holy moly. We will be back during pupping season for more - and because of Bill, we're considering volunteering through the parks to do the same. read more
This is a must see experience if you are even remotely close to the area. There is a wooden boardwalk constructed along the beach that you walk along that the elephant seals use to rest on the beach. We feel very lucky that on the day we went we were able to see some emerging from the ocean, laying on the sand, and a couple of males throwing their weight around on each other There is a big dirt lot that you can park in while you look around. Definitely glad we took the time to visit. read more
This is down the way from Hearst castle and is a must see! Beware of the squirrels in the area, they will follow you and beg for food! There were plenty of elephant seals to view on the sand from the boardwalk. Some just sun bathing and some swimming in the shallow water. Parking is free and so is the view point. read more
7 months ago
I was laughing and giggling and hooting and hollering and amazed to see the seals up close! I feel like it's an open air zoo! What could be better? You're just yards away from these giant creatures that dominate this beach and use it as their home away from home. We were up there on a cold, windy, misty kind of day. We pulled over into the Vista point parking lot, which is a couple miles north of Sebastian's in San Simeon, California. I jumped out of the car and walked along the path above the beach and I could see a dozen seals as I walked further and further along the cliff path. It does get loud and windy, so be sure to wear some kind of waterproof jacket and some walking shoes! Bring your phone or camera cause these critters are fascinating! read more
9 months ago
Very beautiful place to see those gorgeous creatures elephants seal. The lady there explained that they just come here to mate and breed they will stay here for 4 months. Within this 4 months they don't eat so they lose their 60% of body weight. They usually stay in Alaska and Hawaii. They travel from so far away. Place have enough parking for visitors. But some of the Indians are left their car middle of the parking while their families still taking selfie with the seal. And back has another 7 car waiting so they can exit. Another Indian left his car middle of road while he is on his phone. Behind him another 4 car they want to enter to the parking lot. Please park your car and wait for your family and use your phone and don't treat this place as like your country India. Don't block other people respect the rules thanks. read more
I Visited Elephant Seal Vista Point on a college field trip and it turned into such a great adventure. The drive up alone was beautiful the coastal views, cliffs, and ocean scenery the whole way made it feel like part of the experience. seeing the elephant seals in person was amazing there were so many of them just laying out on the beach, some moving around and making loud sounds. You can get a really close view from the boardwalk areas, which made it even more exciting without disturbing. the area is well set up with paths and signs that explain what you're seeing, we also had a guide with us i learned a lot so it felt both fun and educational. It's also free which is a nice. it was unique and memorable stop. Between the scenic drive and seeing the seals up close it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. read more
The Elephant Seal Vista Point (ESVP) is easy to find off the highway. There is a lot with ample parking. There is a small paved/dirt path at one (north?) end of the lot. The park ranger who services the vista point is super friendly and more than willing to answer questions and talk to visitors. The view of the seals is much better than the comparable venue at Pacific Grove. You are much closer and have an unobstructed view at ESVP compared to Pacific Grove. The trail/path does continue to a nearby historic working lighthouse. However, the path has signage that it is a tick/lime disease area, so go at your own risk. While there is a beautiful view on a nice day and the seals are interesting to look at, there is not much else to do here. So you probably don't want to plan to spend more than 30 min at this location. Definitely worth visiting for a short stop and grabbing some nice pics. read more
This is a great spot to see the elephant seals. There is clear signage to the parking lot. I was there on a weekday. Even in the afternoon, there was plenty of cars going in and out. It was definitely better to go in the early morning when the seals were lying on the sand. They went towards the water in the afternoon. read more
7 months ago
An easy 10 minute drive from where we were staying. You can see several hundred elephant seal. Either sunbathing, playing in the water, having spicy time with each other and everything else elephant seals do. There were babies in different developmental stages, mother's, females and huge male elephant seals all over the place. Sadly there were even some dead seal babies too that were being picked at by the seagulls. They have a nice observation deck/walkway where you can spread out and take in the views of these wonderful creatures. They even have volunteers there during the day to answer questions about them or give you more information about these marine mammals. The parking lot is massive. Fortunately for us the 3 times we went it was probably less then 10% full so it was really nice. The actual dirt lot where you park bucks. Lots of pot holes. My little corolla suspension and shock was used to the full. The actual walkway is nice and sturdy. They have information boards throughout the place to give you more information. They even have a brochure that gives you independence information about elephant seals. As well as QR codes that goes into videos that provides even more information about them. This place is truly a gem in the area where you get to observe these majestic marine mammals in their natural habitat!! read more
This is one of those highly trafficked tourist stops, but is worth every moment off Highway 1. The elephant seals are just fascinating to watch. A true medley of grunting, barking and squeaking (if you arrive at baby birthing time.) There are plenty of people, but also plenty of parking and space along the walkway to lean against the fence and take in the show. And the show is superb. If you'd like a bit of a walk, there is a pathway to the North side of the parking lot and you can take it to head out into the bluffs. Pretty long stroll. We never hit the end....granted, it had rained and we were walking in some serious mud at some point unprepared. Enjoy, enjoy one of Highway 1's treasures! read more
I have been to this vista area many times. We stopped here yesterday. So many Elephant Seals and so many babies. My friend has seen 2 birth 2 separate visits. Pro tip: look for seagulls gathering and there will most likely be a birth there. Parking lot is unpaved and muddy. No bathrooms. A great stop to see wildlife. read more
We had toured Hearst Castle in the morning and then decided to drive north up Hwy 1 until the road is closed. One of our favorite stops was this elephant seal colony. August is one one the slower months, but there were still a dozen or so elephant seals around. Many birds around too and ground squirrels. Very helpful people around sharing info about all of the wildlife around when we were there. Great trails around to explore, but we didn't have time for that. This is a definite must when in the area! read more
Decided to make a quick stop before heading to Hearst Castle. It's crazy how close you get to these elephant seals. There were so many to see. Most were relaxing, but there was definitely action happening everywhere you look. PS.... Don't feed the ground squirrels. They look like they are feed well and aren't afraid of humans. read more
Snoring, sunbathing, or scooting across the sand are what these elephant seals were doing when stopped by this spot in June. I've never been up close to these massive sea creatures so it was very cool to observe a big group of them like that. Parking is free and so is the experience! read more
11 months ago
Great spot to view the seals. Free parking and you can get very close. Appreciated the local volunteer guides who were very knowledgeable. Not too many places to sit, and ground is somewhat uneven. A great stop to see the seals along Carrillo Highway 1. read more
Stopped by after visiting Hearst Castle. The squirrels in the parking area are very friendly. The viewing point is a short walk from the parking lot. I got to observe elephant seals mostly sleeping although there were a few that were awake, snorting and farting. It does get windy and chilly here so be prepared at least with a windbreaker. It does get stinky here also. There are no fees here, viewing and parking are free. Four stars! read more
3 months ago
We stumbled upon this place last year with two of our grandkids in the car. It was a short detour in our destination. Well worth the stop! Amazing to see the large animals in their natural habitat! Watching the bulls fight while the females slept and sun bathe was breathtaking. We could hear them growl and hear the impact of the blows taken to each other. The trail hike was a pleasant reprieve from sitting in the car and helped the kids get their bugs out. Going back this year with a different set of grand kids. read more
2 years ago
This protected view point on the central coast of Southern California. We are in Cambria and this spot is 15 minutes away by car. Big safe park area. Walk on a boardwalk that is fenced. Nature for free , just show up. Mating and birthing month. Good time to come. read more
When I found out we were coming to Cambria, this was a must see on my agenda. I read online that December through March/April is there birthing and breeding winter season, so I had to see. We went pretty early around 9ish and the sun was not out and pretty foggy. The drive was pretty short from our inn and was off of Hwy 1. Parking lot is pretty big so I am pretty sure everyone will get a spot but may be difficult around peak times. The lot is in a dirt road so be careful, lots of puddles and lots of mist. My glasses were covered in mist by the time I was done with the view. I would suggest to walk down to the visitor center/observation deck. At the end, most of the elephant seals are there sleeping. We saw some of the babies and also saw a baby with their mama crying. It was so cute to see. The males are pretty aggressive and try to outdo the other males so we saw a couple roughing each other up. Pretty cool experience. Make sure to bring a raincoat, rain boots or durable shoes, and a CAMERA. There are so many great shots you can get of these beautiful friends. Nature is amazing. read more
1 year ago
Went around 3pm which was the perfect time to see the elephant seals just lounging. Plenty of parking and there is people going around answering questions about the elephant seals. read more
1 year ago
If you ever find yourself cruising along Highway 1 near San Simeon and wondering whether to pull over at that little turnout with a name as curious as Elephant Seal Vista Point - the answer is YES. Unequivocally, enthusiastically, YES. (AR and I found ourselves with some extra time before our scheduled tour of Hearst Castle.) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=o6Xc8SvAzDbNRo_n5X4Tlw This spot offers a front-row seat to one of nature's stranger spectacles: hundreds of massive, blubbery elephant seals lounging, grunting, sparring, molting, napping, and occasionally flopping around like overstuffed beanbags with strong opinions. (We happened to be here when it was molting season.) You get to see wild life, close up and personal; no binoculars necessary. The seals haul out right near the shore, and the elevated boardwalk keeps you close without disturbing them. There are informative plaques tell you what you're looking at. (A volunteer was also on site, offering us insightful information about the elephant seals.) A huge plus; no entrance fee, no hike required. Just pull over and stroll a few yards to the overlook. (Thumbs up) I've heard that the "Golden hour" (Sunset) is something else. Great opportunity for photos of elephant seals basking in the sunset, waves rolling in, and coastal cliffs stretching endlessly in both directions. Just FYI, it can get quite windy & smelly. As you might expect, hundreds of enormous marine mammals smell like... Well, hundreds of enormous marine mammals. And the coastal wind doesn't exactly waft it away gently. Bring a hoodie - and hold your breath. There are restrooms, but not much else. Stock up on snacks or coffee beforehand unless you want to be hangry in paradise. AR and I hadn't planned to stop here - we only stayed about 20 minutes. I;m happy we did. It was a very cool sight to see. After doing some research, I learned that winter is the high drama season, January especially - when the big bulls arrive and the breeding battles begin. But any time of year offers something worth seeing (and hearing). Just check a seal activity calendar if you're targeting a specific experience. Elephant Seal Vista Point is one of those rare roadside stops that feels like a hidden treasure, even though it's no secret. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, road tripper, or just someone who appreciates the majestic weirdness of nature, this place is absolutely worth the detour. - Big Aloha! read more
Elephant Seals are one of my absolute fave creatures - they're feisty, animated, and boisterous things! Be sure to come during their winter breeding season to really see them in all their flamboyant glory! The bulls (males) are known for their violent sparring sessions, fighting over status as ruler over the harems, and their roars are incredibly fascinating - and each bull has a roar unique to him that all the other seals immediately recognize! Such fascinating beasts! But the females put on quite a show themselves! They battle it out with screams, bites, and sand-flipping matches over valuable pup-rearing beachfront real estate and it's truly a sight to see! And then there's the adorable seal pups of course - tiny (but not so tiny, bc these seals are so huge lol) little babies cling to their mommas and do a little fighting and fussing of their own, especially with the seagulls who actually try to steal some milk haha! If you hang out long enough during breeding/pupping season, you may just get lucky enough to witness a birth - I saw one once and it was such an experience! Another experience is to witness how the seals battle the waves during the annual king tides - which often coincide with their breeding season. It's chaotic and sometimes sad - so if you're visiting during these times, just be prepared to witness all sides of nature - even the unpleasant realities. Elephant Seals are absolutely massive - with males able to get up to 5,000 lbs in weight. And in spite of their girth, they can really mooove - when you see two bulls chasing each other, you'll be glad you're viewing from a high up vantage point! Luckily the viewing boardwalks are elevated on a cliff for everyone's safety lol. You'll find these well maintained boardwalks in beautiful San Simeon along the central California coast. The sunsets here are spectacular so I highly recommend trying to catch one. There's lots of parking but it gets very crowded during busy seasons and the parking lots are dirt surfaces with tons of deep pot holes so be careful and drive slowly. They say the vista point is "wheelchair accessible" and I agree that the boardwalk portions are definitely accessible - but you have to get to them from these bumpy, rocky parking lots so that may be a challenge. The south end view point usually has the best views and the most seals congregating. The northern-most boardwalk takes you to Boucher Trail which is 2 miles long one way and has a bunch of other seal beach viewpoints. There are no restrooms so come prepared. There are often volunteer docents walking around the crowds if you have any questions or just want information in general. They're all very friendly and eager to share their seal knowledge! read more
5 months ago
Magnificent. Don't miss the opportunity to go see the seals during mating season (December-March). It was so much fun to watch and listen to them and to catch a sunset there too. The vista point is just up the road (3-4 miles) from Hearst Castle off of US Highway 1. read more
A must see if you are in the area. Plenty of parking. Board walk along beach to view the elephant seals. This time of year there are many pups. Moms want to sleep on the warm sand but the babies are wiggling and want to play. Highly recommend. read more
Spring 2024 visit. Kind of confusing to find if going by address, seems the address on this Yelp page is weird. Many things called friends of the elephant seal that are in totally different locations, like the visitor center, which made it confusing for just wanting to stop and see some seals. Basically north of Hearst Castle, almost to but before the Piedras Blancas lighthouse station. I guess there are maybe 2 parking lots. Seems like the north most parking maybe has a trail to walk on to explore, maybe see closer? I ended up at the large parking just south of that one, which ended up good for me since too lazy to walk more after Hearst Castle tour, lol. You can find this lot on google map for: *** Piedras Blancas Friends of the Elephant Seal 18844 Cabrillo Hwy, San Simeon, CA (this address by itself seems to also pop up way north as well, so use the *** name and make sure it's south of lighthouse) There weren't too many seals right in front of the lot, but walked towards the southern end of the lot and you could see a bunch sunbathing. One large male may have been chasing mates too, lol. read more
11 months ago
Awesome place to visit to watch all the elephant seals. I could stay here longer except I was so cold even layered up. There's Plenty of parking. I would love to come back when it warms up. Definitely need to stop by here if you're in the area. read more
4 months ago
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More info about Elephant Seal Vista Point
15950 Cabrillo Hwy
San Simeon, CA 93452
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(805) 927-7361
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Ask the Community - Elephant Seal Vista Point
What are the visiting hour of this place?
Sunrise to Sunset. Actually, it's open 24/7 but the best time to go is 1/2 hr before Sunset. Beautiful views.
