Like prize fighters from the gloomy depths these elephant seals lumber onto the shore and drop in a heap as spectators silently do a countdown. Fleshy globules weighing in at over 2,000lbs these marine mammals have a face only a mother could love. Slow moving blobs of blubber cluster together and lazily dream of salty sea mermaids and swaying palms. Inertly waiting until the next meal, they flip ping pong sized flipper full's of sand onto their neighbors back. Sunbathing and frequent rough housing give onlookers a chance to document the rituals with cameras and videos. During mating season you can hear their loud threats and grunting retorts to other males. You can almost hear one seal bark to the other, "Hey meathead stop throwing that sand around and hitting on my female or else!" Bloody sores and gashes from bites makes this a real street fighting lesson for the kiddies. Colorful kiosks educate while a wooden boardwalk allows viewers of all ages the chance for a closer look. This coastline is subject to high winds, harsh sun and cold so don't forget your windbreaker, sunscreen and visor. Plenty of parking makes this Highway 1 coastal treasure, just north of San Simeon, a must see main event. Showtimes are....
January
Female elephant seals continue to arrive on the shoreline.
Peak of births usually are the last half of the month.
February
Elephant seal births continue.
The peak of mating is around Valentine's Day.
More females leave.
March
Last adult elephant seals leave.
April
Female and juvenile elephant seals return to molt.
May
Female and juvenile elephant seals molt.
June
Sub-adult male elephant seal return to molt.
July
Sub-adult and adult males molt.
August
Last adult elephant seals molt.
September
Young-of-the-year and juvenile elephant seals haul out to rest.
October
Young-of-the-year and juvenile elephant seals haul out to rest.
November
Sub-adult elephant seal males haul out.
Mature males begin arriving at the end of the month.
December
Elephant seal bulls continue to return.
Females arrive.
The first birth is usually mid-month.
