Año Nuevo State Park
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1 New Years Creek Rd. Pescadero, CA 94060
Año Nuevo Tours: 800-444-4445
(650) 879-2025 (8:30am to 4:30pm)
Año Nuevo SP Website
Knowledge Base Links
> Guided Seal Walks
> Booking Information
> Directions & Fees
> Facilities & Resources
> Cancellation & Exchanges
> October Press Release
Confirmation Letter Examples
> Public Confirmation Letter
> School Tour Confirmation Letter
> Equal Access Tour Confirmation Letter
Special Events
Special Event Form 2024 (pdf)
Special Event Guidelines (pdf)
Film
Film and Photography Permit Guidelines
Parking/Entrance Fees
Regular Size Auto $10.00
Senior (age 62+) $9.00
Bus (10-24 passengers) $50.00
Bus (25+ passengers) $100.00
Equal Access Tours General Information
Equal Access Tours General Information
Each person needing mobility assistance is allowed up to 2 guests
A tour cannot exceed 8 people and 2 wheelchairs in total
The van only holds 8 visitors and 2 wheelchairs total, so multiple tours can be booked for a timeslot, but total visitors cannot exceed 8 people and 2 wheelchairs per tour.
Equal Access guided walks are led by a docent naturalist on an accessible boardwalk for visitors needing mobility assistance. This boardwalk is accessed with use of a van provided by the park.
School Group Tours General Information
School Group Tours General Information
Only for grades 4 through 12
Each reservation allows entry for up to 20 students plus two required adult chaperones, for a total group size of 22.
Tours conducted Monday – Friday only
4 tours are offered every weekday
IMPORTANT PARK INFORMATION
IMPORTANT PARK INFORMATION
TO SEE THE ELEPHANT SEALS
Elephant seal viewing requires a 3-4 mile moderate hike over varied terrain, including sand dunes. Driving to see them is not an option. Sturdy shoes, layered clothing, water and rain/wind/sun protection are recommended.
April - November:
No tours are needed to visit the elephant seals.
Starting April 1, guided tours are not required to see the seals. Instead, you walk out to the viewing areas on your own on the Año Point Trail. At each of the viewing areas, there is a docent to explain what you’re seeing and answer questions. A free permit is required to visit the seals. The free permit is available at the park from 8:30-3:30, daily. There is a day use/parking fee. Visitors will not be able to obtain a permit after 3:30 pm due to the length of time it takes to hike to the viewing areas. Your visit to see the seals is a self-guided walk.
The farthest viewing area is a 4-mile roundtrip walk from the parking lot. The closest viewing area is about a 3-mile roundtrip walk from parking. Which viewing areas we open all depends on the seals. If they are blocking trails to a viewing area, we don't open that spot. The walk is mostly flat, with one tall sand dune to walk over.
Visitors requiring mobility assistance are encouraged to make a reservation for an Equal Access Tour.
December - March:
You must be on a Guided Walk to see the seals. Reservations are made through www.reservecalifornia.com. Reservations open October 20, for tours 55 days in advance.
Visitors requiring mobility assistance are encouraged to make a reservation for an Equal Access Tour.
RULES
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM SEALS
Elephant seals are deadly wild animals and are protected by the park. Harassment and disturbance of elephant seals is prohibited by state and federal laws. Seals can sometimes appear dead due to their quiet nature of sleeping on beaches. However, the majority of the time they are very much alive. Never get within 25 feet of an elephant seal.
NO PETS
Due to the nearby Natural Preserve, pets are not allowed in the park and cannot be left inside parked vehicles in the parking lot.
NO BIKES ON TRAILS
Bikes are prohibited on all trails in the park.
NO COLLECTING
Shells, rocks, wood, plants or animals may not be collected. All features of this park are protected by law.
NO SMOKING OR FIRES
Smoking is not permitted in buildings or on guided walks. Fires of all types are prohibited.
NO DRONES
Drone use is prohibited within Año Nuevo State Park.
NO UMBRELLAS
No umbrellas are allowed in the Nature Preserve area of the park (seal viewing areas).
NO STROLLERS
From December-March, strollers are not allowed in the Nature Preserve area of the park (seal viewing areas).
Experience the Elephant Seals Year-Round
One of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal is at Año Nuevo State Park. A Natural Preserve has been established to protect the elephant seals along with many other animals such as otters, California sea lions, coyotes, cormorants, terns and more. Native plants and an untouched intertidal ecosystem also find shelter inside the Natural Preserve.
Elephant seals can be observed here year round either on a docent lead tour or through a self guided permit system within the Wildlife Viewing Area.
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