Winter on the Central Coast: Elephant Seal Mating and Birthing

Head up the coast to a natural habitat for local elephant seals.  These gigantic creatures (males with faces only a mother could love) can weigh up to 2000 lbs and females log in around the 1500 lb range. Volunteer docents are available and eager to explain what is going on when you are visiting. Elephant seals can be seen here all year long but they are actively mating and giving birth during the winter months. It is totally FREE to visit and enjoy. Take a camera and binoculars.

This is a mother and her two day old pup I saw in December.

The Elephant Seal Rookery located on Hwy 1 (PCH) is approximately half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco which makes it an ideal weekend getaway from either city.