Point Año Nuevo
Hike through old grazing lands to a windswept point where thousands of elephant seals flop, fight, and nurse their pups just feet from the trail. The 1.5-mile path delivers nonstop wildlife drama: molting giants in summer, noisy rookeries in winter, plus soaring raptors and barking sea lions offshore.
Elephant seal viewing
Moderate coastal hike
Sandy dunes trail
Year-round wildlife
Tips
🎟️first-come permits Apr-Nov, arrive early
🌸look for yellow sand verbena stabilizing the dunes
🔭bring binoculars for island sea lions
Point Año Nuevo
Hike through old grazing lands to a windswept point where thousands of elephant seals flop, fight, and nurse their pups just feet from the trail. The 1.5-mile path delivers nonstop wildlife drama: molting giants in summer, noisy rookeries in winter, plus soaring raptors and barking sea lions offshore.
Elephant seal viewing
Moderate coastal hike
Sandy dunes trail
Year-round wildlife
Tips
🎟️first-come permits Apr-Nov, arrive early
🌸look for yellow sand verbena stabilizing the dunes
🔭bring binoculars for island sea lions