Program · Outdoors

Año Nuevo State Park: guided elephant seal walks (Dec–Mar season)

When

Recurring / by appointmentGuided walks required December–March; viewing area closed Dec 1–14; reserve via ReserveCalifornia (opened Oct 20, 2026)

Where

Año Nuevo State Park1 New Years Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060Open in Google Maps ↗

Ages

Not stated on park page

Cost

Vehicle day use $10.00 (seniors $9.00); guided walk ticket price not printed on park page

Organizer

California State Parks – Año Nuevo State Park

From December through March, visitors must be on a docent-guided walk to see the northern elephant seals that haul out at Año Nuevo State Park south of Pescadero. The park page states that the Wildlife Viewing area within the Natural Preserve is closed for elephant seal viewing December 1 through December 14, and that reservations for guided walks are made through ReserveCalifornia, opening October 20 for tours 56 days in advance (public walks bookable online and by phone from Tuesday, October 20, 2026; Equal Access tours by phone for visitors needing mobility assistance). Walks are described on the park page as popular three-to-four mile hikes of moderate difficulty with varied terrain. Day-use area hours are 8:30am to sunset; vehicle day-use fee $10 ($9 seniors). Walk times, the per-person walk fee and age guidance are not printed on the park page.