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About the Año Nuevo State Park
Año Nuevo State Park, located in California, United States, is a park known for its elephant seal viewing experience. From April to November, visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour to see up to 10,000 elephant seals returning to breed, give birth, and molt their skin on the scenic dunes and beaches. No tours or reservations are needed during this time, as visitors can walk out to the viewing areas on the Año Point Trail. Docents are available at each viewing area to provide information and answer questions. A free permit is required to visit the seals, which can be obtained at the park from 8:30-3:30 daily. The park also features the Marine Education Center, housed in a historic dairy ranch, and offers a variety of natural and cultural resources for visitors to explore.
The terrain of Año Nuevo includes coastal terrace prairie, wetland marshes, dune fields, and coastal scrub, hosting a diverse range of plants and animals, including rare species like the San Francisco Garter Snake and California Red-legged Frog. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching along the ocean bluffs, with Año Nuevo Point being a major bird migratory route. Additionally, the park offers Equal Access Tours for visitors requiring mobility assistance.
During December to March, guided tours are required to see the seals, with reservations available online. The park has strict rules in place to protect the wildlife and environment, including keeping a safe distance from the seals and not collecting any natural resources. Pets, bikes, drones, and umbrellas are not allowed in the park, and smoking and fires are prohibited.
Overall, Año Nuevo State Park provides a unique opportunity to observe and learn about elephant seals and other wildlife in a beautiful natural setting.
Reviews of Año Nuevo State Park
"Beautiful sea shore view and nice scenery"
"Natural preserve, you can’t wander off the trail nor go down to the beach in the restricted area of the park. There are designated wildlife viewing spots where you can admire the elephant seals. There’s a 2 mile hike to actually see the elephant seals. You get a very nice view of the Ano Nuevo Island which operated from 1872 to 1948 as a light station. The island serves as a wildlife reserve today and is closed to the public."
"So excited to see elephant seals in their natural habitat. Visited the park on Labor Day weekend, off peak visitor season. There were at least 8 elephant seals spotted near the beaches and cliffs. Fun trek across the sand dunes. The trail has great wild flora and fauna. Day was clear so we spotted the cabins on the island."
"Been here multiple times, always great to see the elephant seals. You should book a tour early out to make sure you have the reservation to go out and see the elephant seal (you can't go out by yourself, must be with a guide). Well worth the visit."
"This is California wildlife at it’s best! The best time to visit is during the elephant seal breeding season in winter and join the docent guided walks. The walk lasted about three hours with a very knowledgeable docent covering the nature /culture history of the park and many amazing facts about elephant seals. The up close views of these magnificent giants in their natural habitats were truly memorable."
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