Outdoors Piedras Blancas, San Simeon
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
An outdoor spot in Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Dec–Feb.
Why go
Free boardwalk viewpoints over thousands of elephant seals on the beach.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in San Simeon, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Piedras Blancas Light Station, 1.6 mi away as the crow flies. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Piedras Blancas
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Dec–Feb
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in San Simeon, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Piedras Blancas Light Station
Guided tours of an 1875 lighthouse and its restored grounds.
Activity · 1.6 mi straight-line - 2Hearst Ranch Winery
Tasting room in the historic Sebastian's building across from the beach.
Drinks · 3.9 mi straight-line - 3William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach
Calm cove beach and pier below Hearst Castle, good for picnics and kayaking.
Outdoors · 4.1 mi straight-line - 4Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's hilltop estate with the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Sight · 5.1 mi straight-line - 5Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Mile-long boardwalk above a rocky shore with tidepools and otter sightings.
Outdoors · 10 mi straight-line - 6Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Bluff trail and Monterey pine forest on the edge of Cambria.
Outdoors · 11 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in San Simeon
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is our only outdoors pick in San Simeon; here is what else we recommend there. See the full San Simeon guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in San Simeon run from 53°F in February to 64°F in September; December is usually the wettest month. For Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery itself, we suggest: Dec–Feb.
Modelled monthly averages for San Simeon from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full San Simeon weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- 18844 Cabrillo Hwy, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA
- Coordinates
- 35.66284, -121.25687
- Destination
- San Simeon, California
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery: quick answers
How much time do you need at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery?
Our pick: Dec–Feb. Insider tip: Pupping season Dec–Feb; docents on site most days.
Is Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery free?
Yes, we list Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery?
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is at 18844 Cabrillo Hwy, San Simeon, CA 93452, USA, in Piedras Blancas. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery?
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add it to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to San Simeon.
Plan San Simeon
- San Simeon travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit San Simeon weather by month
- Big Sur to San Simeon 54 mi straight-line
- San Simeon to Santa Barbara 121 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in San Simeon
- Linn's Restaurant Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.