Cambria Elephant Seals
Visit the Northern Elephant Seal Rookery
Elephant Seals have called the Cambria-area coastline home for years, but thanks in part from the Friends of Elephant Seals, the famed colony at Point Piedras Blancas has flourished. Nearly 25,000 seals inhabit the San Simeon rookery. These sea mammals spend up to 10 months a year in the open ocean, diving depths up to 5,000 feet deep, migrating thousands of miles. Twice a year, they come ashore to birth, breed, rest, and molt.
HOW TO VISIT THE ELEPHANT SEALS
This popular Cambria attraction is located along the gorgeous Highway 1.
Address: Plaza del Cavalier, 250 San Simeon Ave Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA 93452
Phone: 805-924-1628
Frequently Asked Questions about Cambria Elephant Seals
Q: What time of year are the elephant seals in Cambria?
A: Elephant seals can be seen at the Piedras Blancas rookery year-round. Peak viewing times are December through March for birthing and breeding, and April through August for molting.
Q: Can you see elephant seals in Cambria?
A: Yes, elephant seals are visible near Cambria at the Piedras Blancas rookery, just north of town along Highway 1.
Q: What is the best time to see the elephant seals in San Simeon?
A: January and February offer some of the best opportunities, as thousands gather for breeding and birthing season. Another great time is May through July during molting season, when many seals rest on shore.
Q: Where is the best place to see elephant seals in California?
A: The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery near San Simeon is widely considered the best spot for easily accessible viewing of elephant seals in California.
1. Male Elephant Seals weigh as much as a small truck or cargo van!
2. Elephant Seals can hold their breath for more than 100 minutes.
3. Females live to be about 19-20 years old, while males typically live 13-14 years.
4. Deep Divers: they can reach depths of 1,600 meters when looking for food
5. They talk to each other using clicking and trilling noises you can hear when you visit the rookery.
6. Adult males will inflate their trunks (proboscis) to make roaring noises, especially during mating season.
7. Their diet consists mostly of squid and fish, and for that reason, they don't eat when they're on dry land.
8. They only get about 2 hours of sleep per day when they're at sea, and they spend 80% of their life in the ocean.
9. They can swim upwards of 60 miles per day.