Where You Can Find Us
The Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery spreads out over 8 miles of beach north and south of Point Piedras Blancas on the central coast of California.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
The best viewing areas are located 90 miles south of Monterey, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon. They are 1.5 miles south of Point Piedras Blancas. The viewing areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible and free. No reservations required.
The ocean and marine environment are protected by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and are part of California’s Marine Protected Area Network.
GPS Coordinates to the Elephant Seal Viewing Area:
35.663028, -121.257556
35°39’46.9″N 121°15’27.2″W
Elephant Seal Visitor Center
The Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center is located 7.8 miles south of the viewing areas in the Plaza del Cavalier in San Simeon. Feel free to stop by the Visitor Center for more information and take a look around our well-stocked shop for fun gifts and souvenirs. Open 10 AM-4 PM daily.
Plaza del Cavalier
250 San Simeon Avenue, Suite 5A
San Simeon, CA 93452
(805) 924-1628
Email: [email protected]
Directions
From Southern California
To the Visitor Center and Gift Shop: Take US Highway 101 north to San Luis Obispo. Exit at Highway 1. Proceed north 38.1 miles until you approach San Simeon. Turn left on Vista del Mar and right on Hearst Drive, left on San Simeon and park in the Cavalier Plaza parking area.
To the Elephant Seal Viewing Area: Continue north on Highway 1, past San Simeon and the Hearst Castle State Historical Monument. Turn left into the Elephant Seal Viewing Area parking lot. The Elephant Seal Viewing Area is 46 miles from San Luis Obispo.
From Northern California and the Central Valley
To the Visitor Center and Gift Shop: Take Highway 101 to Highway 46 west and turn north on Highway 1. Proceed 8.7 miles until you approach San Simeon. Turn left on Vista del Mar and right on Hearst Drive, left on San Simeon and park in the Cavalier Plaza parking area.
To the Elephant Seal Viewing Area: Continue north on Highway 1, past San Simeon and the Hearst Castle State Historical Monument. Turn left into the Elephant Seal Viewing Area parking lot. The Elephant Seal Viewing Area is 16 miles from Hwy 46.
From Monterey On Highway 1
To the Elephant Seal Viewing Area: Take the Highway 1 South exit and proceed 90 miles south. The viewing areas are located 1.5 miles south of the Piedras Blancas Light Station. Turn right into the Elephant Seal Viewing Area parking lot.
To the Visitor Center and Gift Shop: Continue south on Highway 1, 7.8 miles to San Simeon and turn right at Pico Avenue, left onto Hearst Drive, right onto San Simeon and park in the Cavalier Plaza parking area.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal is a 501(c) (3) non- profit corporation, relying on grants, sponsorships, memberships and your donations. Your charitable contribution supports our programs.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal is a cooperating association with California State Parks.