# Año Nuevo State Park: Guided Northern Elephant Seal Walks

> Event for families in the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Dec 15 – Mar 31 · 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM
- Where: Año Nuevo State Park (Marine Education Center), 1 New Years Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Ages: Ages 4 and up (children under 4 free but must be in baby carriers; no strollers on sand dunes)
- Price: $7 per person walk fee plus $3.99 reservation fee; children 4 and under free; vehicle day-use parking $10; advance reservation required via ReserveCalifornia
- Organizer: California State Parks & Coastside State Parks Association
- Official page: https://www.reservecalifornia.com/
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/ano-nuevo-state-park-guided-northern-elephant-seal-walks--listing-4fb512d74eb1fe1ba3529cf5

## About

Located along the windswept San Mateo County coast south of Pescadero, Año Nuevo State Park is home to one of the largest mainland breeding colonies of Northern Elephant Seals on Earth. Between December 15 and March 31, the Natural Preserve is accessible exclusively via fascinating, docent-led guided walks that bring families safely within steps of massive male bull seals, mother cows, and adorable newborn pups.

The 2.5-hour tour covers an invigorating 3 to 4-mile guided walk across coastal prairie, rolling sand dunes, and wooden viewing boardwalks. Knowledgeable volunteer naturalists share captivating stories of the seals' miraculous recovery from near extinction and interpret behaviors like chest-slamming challenges and nursing calls. For safety, children under 4 are free (baby carriers required, as strollers cannot navigate sand dunes). Reserve tickets up to 56 days in advance on ReserveCalifornia.

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