A Marine Education Center features natural history exhibits, an educational video, and a parkstore. Picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking fountains are on the premises. There is no food available for purchase inside the park.

What will I see?

Many adult seals have come ashore by mid-December. Bulls often engage in battles for breeding access to females. Pregnant females come ashore to have pups, with births reaching a peak by late January. Mothers nurse their pups for a month before weaning their pups, mating, and heading back to sea. By early March most adult seals have returned to the sea, leaving behind hundreds of weaned pups. Groups of pups play in the dunes and learn to swim in the tidepools before heading out to sea.

What should I bring? 

Winter weather at Año Nuevo can be extreme and unpredictable. Be prepared for windy, rainy conditions, as well as muddy trails. A warm jacket, layered clothing, sturdy shoes, and rain gear are strongly advised. Bring bottled water for drinking on the trail.  

• Umbrellas and baby strollers are not permitted for safety reasons.

• Cameras and binoculars are welcome.

• No food is allowed on the tour, but you may picnic in designated areas before or after.

• Pets are not allowed in the park and cannot be left inside parked vehicles in the parking lot.