# Point Reyes National Seashore: Chimney Rock Whale Watching & Elephant Seal Overlook > Place to go for families in the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area (CA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Open daily year-round 6:00 AM to midnight; Chimney Rock area open daylight hours… - Where: Point Reyes National Seashore (Chimney Rock Trailhead & Overlook), Chimney Rock Rd, Inverness, CA 94937 - Ages: All ages; easy walking trail; binoculars recommended for spotting whale spouts and elephant seal pups - Price: Free admission; free parking at Chimney Rock and Lighthouse trailheads (arrive early on clear winter weekends) - Schedule: Open daily year-round 6:00 AM to midnight; Chimney Rock area open daylight hours (sunrise to sunset); peak whale migration and seal pupping Dec–Mar - Organizer: National Park Service (Point Reyes National Seashore) - Official page: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/chimney_rock.htm - 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/point-reyes-national-seashore-chimney-rock-whale-watching-and-elephant--listing-0030966404ec4d19aaf94aec ## About Every winter from December through March, the dramatic ocean promontories of Point Reyes National Seashore host two of North America's most spectacular wildlife spectacles: the southern migration of Pacific Gray Whales and the boisterous breeding season of Northern Elephant Seals. At the Chimney Rock trail and Elephant Seal Overlook, families can look down from secure wooden railings onto sheltered pocket beaches where enormous 4,000-pound bull seals clash, newborn pups nurse, and seals vocalize across the surf. From the higher headlands, bring binoculars to spot gray whale spouts, flukes, and breaches just offshore along their 10,000-mile journey to Baja California. The 1.75-mile round-trip Chimney Rock trail is wide and gentle (all-terrain strollers recommended; baby carriers ideal). Sir Francis Drake Boulevard leads directly to trailhead parking. Dress in windproof layers as coastal winter winds can be brisk. ## Similar picks in San Francisco - [Año Nuevo State Park: guided elephant seal walks (Dec–Mar season)](https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/ano-nuevo-state-park-guided-elephant-seal-walks-dec-mar-season--listing-bc578d7ae155a5c6160ed319) — Guided walks required December–March; viewing area closed Dec 1–14; reserve via… · Año Nuevo State Park, Pescadero · Paid · checked Oct 28. 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. 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The group looks for native… - [Año Nuevo State Park: Guided Northern Elephant Seal Walks](https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/ano-nuevo-state-park-guided-northern-elephant-seal-walks--listing-4fb512d74eb1fe1ba3529cf5) — Dec 15 – Mar 31 · 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM · Año Nuevo State Park (Marine Education Center), Pescadero · Ages 4–99 · From $7 · checked Nov 4. 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… - [Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park](https://grassyknees.com/san-francisco/activities/pigeon-point-light-station-state-historic-park--listing-470f4e956f266cd6c6c2633b) — Day use 8am–sunset daily; Visitor Center Thu–Tue 10am–4pm (as staffing permits); guided… · Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Pescadero · All ages · Free · checked Oct 13. 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