Ano Nuevo State Park

Ano Nuevo State Park and Pescadero

Pleasure Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Difficulty Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Mileage 4 miles roundtrip
For a map of this park CLICK HERE


Why Ano Nuevo?

There are very few places in the world where you can observe marine wildlife in their natural habitat.  Often times we visit the various creatures of the sea by going to an aquarium or theme park where they are treated more like performers than respected wildlife.

Ano Nuevo State Park, located just south of Pescadero, CA on HWY 1, is a Natural Preserve offering a unique and extraordinary experience to visit the place where every year up to 10,000 elephant seals return to breed, give birth, and molt their skin on the beautiful dunes and beaches.  Ano Nuevo State Park is one of the biggest colonies in the world of northern elephant seals.  It has been established to protect these unique and enormous mammals, as well as a variety of fauna such as otters, cormorants, sea lions, coyotes and more.  This is a truly special place that any lover of wildlife MUST experience.  To come into such close contact and observe the fascinating behaviors of this magnificent animal is a rare and awesome encounter.

Sea Lions Sunning on the Beach

Let's Get Hiking!

Guided tours ($7 per person) provide the only access during elephant seal breeding season which starts in mid-December and lasts until the end of March.  During the rest of the year, you may request a permit for no cost to enter the park at your leisure.  

This is a very full day trip, so pack plenty of water, a sizable picnic, and treats for the car.  Plan on spending the whole day outside followed by a trip into Pescadero for dinner.  You will probably need sunscreen, a hat, and layers or clothing as the temperatures on this stretch of coastline are inclement. 

Start by turning off of HWY 1 onto Ano Nuevo State Park Road.  Park in the main lot where you will find picnic benches and bathrooms with running water.  This is the designated eating and drinking area, as NO food is allowed into the sanctuary.  After a delicious picnic and a bathroom break, head down to the trailhead marked Ano Nuevo Point Trail.  This is the main trail that will lead you all the way down to the beach where main attraction awaits.  The truth is, the trail itself is treat too.  

Surrounding you are the rolling majestic dunes filled with lush flora, unique succulents, flowing seagrass, and the sound of humming bumblebees and twittering birds.  The thunderous crash of waves and the distant sound of barking elephant seals add a sense of exhilaration to the hike.  This winding downhill path is not a challenge, but with the mix of boardwalk and loose sand, I would not rely on a stroller for transporting small children.  Being on foot or in a baby backpack is probably the best way to go.  

You'll spot the marine education center and theatre which is a small area for groups to stop when on a guided tour.  You can pause here to read up on some of the awesome scientific information regarding the wildlife while you study the colorful displays.  Continue on the Ano Nuevo Point Trail.  After descending onto the beach, you'll notice a few docents guarding and monitoring the most populous groupings of elephant seals.  These volunteers work hard to keep these sanctuaries intact so that visitors do not disturb the animals.  Keeping a distance and respecting their need for space is very important- both for the sake of their breeding rituals and your safety.  Their hostile temperament and colossal bodies could pose a threat if you were to get to close.  

Spend some time down here on the beach, with cameras ready, to investigate and observe the fascinating behaviors of this rare mammal.  Their social structure, mating practices, territorial disputes, maternal protective instincts, and intricate hierarchical rules are so captivating and unusual. There can be thousands of them gathered together, a sea of mammals as far as the beach reaches.

You can first take the Cove Beach Trail spur to get your first glimpse at the elephant seals before continuing on the Ano Nuevo Point Trail to the largest observation area.  It is important to spend as much time here as your group will allow, because this is a rare chance to see these wondrous creatures.  Do not forget to take pictures! 

Make the trek back to the car and continue your splendid day by driving north to Pigeon Point Lighthouse.  This historic lighthouse has been guiding mariners since 1872.  Perched on the edge of this craggy and rugged coastline, the 115 foot lighthouse stands as one of the tallest in the U.S.  The Pigeon Point Lighthouse is still active and able to act as a beacon.

The drive north to Pigeon Point is a majestic panorama of coastal beauty, rich with wild life, and opportunities to pull off and explore the intertidal zones.  The rocky reefs that flank the light station contain a number of diverse plants and animals.  If you are lucky enough, it is not uncommon to spot a whale or seal just off the shore.

Your permit and parking fee will apply to this State Park, so entry will be free if you've already paid at Ano Nuevo.  Get out of the car, take a bathroom break, explore the area and take pictures of this gorgeous lighthouse.  The crashing surf, the smell of sea air, and the sights of pure natural California beauty are all around you.  

After spending some time here, get back in the car and drive further north into the quaint and adorable seaside town of Pescadero.  Here you will find just a few shops and restaurants, with world famous artichoke bread and clam chowder.  Often times there are farmers markets selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, which would be a sin to pass up.  Enjoy the rich local produce and bring some home to share with your neighbors.  This is some of the best food in the world!  Pick a restaurant to settle into for the night and order a delicious local wine paired with some divine artichoke sourdough bread.   Heaven!  Once again you have the perfect ending to the perfect hikeabout!