Elephant Seal Observations at Piedras Blancas (San Simeon) California

Elephant seals along the Central California Coast can be watched in San Luis Obispo County north of Cambria and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) and south of the Big Sur. Throughout the year the spend time at this beach. Read more about them.

January - Females continue to arrive. Peak of births usually last half of month.
February - Births continue. The peak of mating is around Valentine’s Day. More females leave.
March - Last adults leave. Weaned pups teach themselves how to swim.
April - Females and juveniles return to molt
May – Females and juveniles molt.
June - Subadult males return to molt.
July - Subadult and adult males molt.
August - Last of males molt.  

September - Young-of-the-year and juveniles haul out to rest.

October - Young-of-the-year and juveniles haul out to rest.
November - Subadult males haul out. Mature males begin arriving at the end of the month.
December - Bulls continue to return. Females arrive. The first birth is usually mid-month.