This roadside stopover is owned by the Hearst Corporation and is just a few miles north of Hearst Castle on Hwy 101. You'll see a parking area and information signs. You can view elephant seals on either end, but most of the pups are on the south side.

Note: The recent sale of Hearst lands may allow the state to rebuild this viewing area. It should also allow full time access to Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

This is an incredible site you need to make time for.

The Elephant Seal viewing area is a parking lot and beach area just south of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. There are two beaches packed wall to wall with sunworshipers, feisty sub-adults, and crashing bulls. Starting in late September the juveniles start heading in from the ocean to the beaches to rest and feed.

In November, sub-adult males start arriving and practice their talents at protecting territory.

They're not as serious as the adult males, and can be fun to watch.

Late November and into December the bulls start arriving and staking out territory and fighting over females. These are real battles, blood and cuts can be readily seen.

By mid-December the pregnant females are starting to birth with the peak around the middle of February.

Questions? Their are usually docents standing by to answer any questions and help as they can. There are over 100 professionally trained volunteers that brave the elements to come out.

You can learn more at the Friends of the Elephant Seals web site.