California - Extended Weekend in SFO - Elephant Seals..

Hello There,

I am accompanying a friend to a conference in SFO. I am arriving in SFO Friday 2nd of December at noon and taking off the following Tuesday in late evening. Basically, I have Friday, Saturday and Sunday free. Need to be in Frisco on Monday night.

I 'd like to see Elephant Seals and some nature stuff. Ano Nuevo tours are not open at this time (early December) so I was thinking of doing the following:

Friday: SFO- Pinnacle/ Big Sur - San Simeon (depending on Weather)
Saturday: San Simeon - Big Sur - Monterrey
Sunday: Monterrey - 1/2 Moon Bay - SFO

Is it realistic to go to San Simeon for three days.
Any ideas?

Minos

You could easily do this. The Piedras Blancas colony of elephant seals is pretty much year-round these days so your chances of seeing them pretty close-up are about 100%. The viewing area boardwalk and interpretive area is less than 10 miles north of San Simeon where there are numerous inexpensive places to stay and a few decent restaurants. I am partial to the Manta Rey (sic), which is next door to the Quality Inn on the landward side of Highway 1.

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I haven't been to the waterfront lately, are there still seals at Pier 39? If so that would certainly be the easiest place to see them!

Last time I was there, there were plenty of harbor seals and leopard seals but I don't recall any elephants.

Last time I was there, there were plenty of harbor seals and leopard seals but I don't recall any elephants.

OK, thanks, still worth a visit then! Incidentally, even it isn't peak season at Ano Nuevo, you may still run into some elephant seals on the beach -- or at least I did the one time I went out of season.

Thanks guys.
I am indeed very much into the elephant ones...and Ano Nuevo is closed during teh first half of December.

I heard there is a breeding colony at Point Reyes, just North of Frisco.

Which one is better in your eyes?
It seems that visitors are actually closer at Piedras Blancas.

Any other big wildlife I should check out along the SFO coast?

Thanks,
Minos

Last time I was there, there were plenty of harbor seals and leopard seals but I don't recall any elephants.

Leopard seals around Frisco?
I doubt that. Thats would be dangerous.

Minos

Leopard seals around Frisco?
I doubt that. Thats would be dangerous.
Misspoke. I meant sea lions.