The hook
Thousands of elephant seals sprawled on a beach a few feet below a boardwalk, for free, any day of the year.
01Why it's worth it
It's the only elephant seal rookery in the world that's easy to reach, free, and open every day, right off Highway 1 seven miles north of San Simeon. From a boardwalk just above the sand you're close enough to hear them: two-ton males bellowing and slamming into each other, mothers nursing pups, the whole colony belching and flinging sand over itself. Winter, December through March, is the loud one, all birthing and breeding and territorial fights. But there are seals hauled out molting or resting most of the year. It costs nothing and asks nothing of you except to stay behind the rail.
02How to experience it
Park at the signed viewing area seven miles north of San Simeon and walk the boardwalk both directions. Come early for calmer wind, more active animals, and fewer people. Winter for the full spectacle, and bring binoculars; the far end of the beach is where a lot of the action is.