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Piedras Blancas


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #1 of 7 attractions in San Simeon
Traveler Description: Three miles north of the turnoff to Hearst Castle, you'll find a parking lot overlooking a beach at Piedras Blancas. If it's Dec-Feb, the presence of... more »
Know about Piedras Blancas? Share your expertise with other travelers. Add to this description now.
Attraction type: Beach, Nature reserve
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Address: 15950 Cabrillo Highway San Simeon, CA 93452
Tel: 805-927-3719
Fax: 805-924-1107

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
cahack   6 contributions
California
Jan 1, 2010

For the young ones in your group: what do you call an elephant seal who's just given birth? De-calf-inated. There are only a few places along the California coast where the huge elephant seals haul out to molt, mate, and give birth. This is one of them, and the access here is much easier than at Ano Neuvo north of... more

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5 of 5 stars
MeghanG11   10 contributions
Concord, CA
Jul 20, 2009

So much fun...my boyfriend and I went to see them in mid July 2009. We ended up going back to see them twice more on our trip! In the summer all the males are on the beach molting and sparring with one another. They were close enough to get a lot of good pictures of. We saw the seals during... more

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5 of 5 stars
JD_MGd   6 contributions
San Diego, CA
Jun 28, 2009

This took us by complete surprise. We live in a wildlife-rich area, but I have to say that this was one of the most spectacular natural displays I've seen - an entire colony of these gigantic mammals on the beach right below the overlook, engaging in their favorite activities of resting, snuggling, and battling for dominance. If you have never... more

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5 of 5 stars
British_Batman   14 contributions
Dorset
Mar 20, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

Forget Hearst Castle, the Elephant Seals are a highlight. These beasts are colossal and yet move with surprising speed so don't find yourself down on the beach between a male and its harem. The males make an incredible noise when they are defending their territory. We saw no fighting but I can imagine they would be an aweinspiring sight given... more

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5 of 5 stars
kttravel08   22 contributions
UK
Jul 7, 2008
4
people found this review helpful

I was told about the elephant seals by someone I was sitting next to on a cable car in San Francisco. I headed down to see them today, prior to visiting Hearst Castle tomorrow and was simply stunned. There were literally dozens, maybe even a couple of hundred male elephant seals of all ages sleeping and swimming and snoring their... more

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5 of 5 stars
calivalley92   346 contributions
Mountain View, California
May 2, 2008
6
people found this review helpful

We visited the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Colony on 4/12, as part of our 10 day San Simeon/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas road trip. After lunch in San Simeon, we drove a few miles north of the Hearst Castle turn off along Highway 1 to the Elephant Seal Colony. This place was amazing, we could see hundreds of seals in either direction,... more

Awesome!!!
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5 of 5 stars
dragonjulie   182 contributions
Clearwater, Florida
Aug 19, 2007
8
people found this review helpful

This place is amazing. About 6 miles north of San Simeon there is an ocean overlook called Piedras Blancas. There is ample parking and a walkway down to a beach overlook. Here you can see a large colony of wild elephant seals on the beach and swimming in the ocean. I could have stood here all day watching these animals.... more

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5 of 5 stars
Teesa   39 contributions
Phoenix,AZ
Aug 6, 2007
6
people found this review helpful

There must have been a hundred elephant seals here! Huge bulls that were molting. Kinda stinky, but worth it. There is plenty of parking and you can walk out on the walkway where one of the docents are there to answer questions for you. Please ask about these amazing animals! There are also signs posted giving information about them. We... more

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5 of 5 stars
Kitties102   41 contributions
Peoria, IL
Jun 23, 2007
6
people found this review helpful

We visited the elephant seals around 5 in the evening in late June. The beach was full of them. They were crawling around, fighting, playing. It was awesome! There is a little walkway set up around the beach for people to stand on. Everyone gathers at the end where you park, but I'd recommend walking down a bit further for... more

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4 of 5 stars
roscoetheotter   11 contributions
U.K
Mar 11, 2007
5
people found this review helpful

Wow! If you get the chance while on the Central Coast area,this is a must...........a massive Elephant Seal colony......just like off a television wildlife programme.Don't miss it more

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Piedras Blancas Address

15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, CA 93452
Tel: 805-927-3719 Fax: 805-924-1107