![]() ![]() That means it is on the Pacific tectonic plate and traveling to the north. The entire point Reyes peninsula is on the west side of the San Andreas fault. You must read up on the geology of this place before coming. They align their head and body at their rivals, rear up to display their chest shields, raise their heads, and “trumpet.” This sound often scares off other bulls, but a chase may ensue to drive the intruder off the beach. Point Reyes National seashore is one of the most amazing locations in the United States. While some mothers are still nursing, the dominant bulls “face off” to defend their harems, both on the beach and out in the surf. Pups born at Point Reyes have been seen in Canada, Alaska, and Russia! When these seals turn up on other beaches, researchers can look up information about the seal. Point Reyes tags are pink and have a discrete number for each individual. Biologists tag pups born on Point Reyes beaches after they are weaned and have separated from their mothers. Point Reyes National Seashore offers visitors California beaches and deep forests along with cliffs and rolling meadows, millennia of human history and more than 1500 species of plants and animals. Pups learn to swim on their own, gradually venturing out as they become hungry. After spending the breeding season fasting on the beach, the females need to hunt for food to replenish their dwindling stores of fat and muscle. In 33 days, the pups are weaned, at which time the females mate before heading back out to sea. Western gulls and other scavengers often show up to clean up the afterbirth. At birth, they are only 3–4 feet long (1–1.3 m) and weigh a mere 60 pounds (27 kg). January is when most of the pups are born. Note that some sections of beach may be closed to protect elephant seals in Point Reyes during the pupping season when they are exceptionally vulnerable to disturbance. In March and April, as the adult elephant seal population thins out and the pups are left behind, the Chimney Rock wildflower bloom begins! This is also a great time to visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse and look for Pacific gray whales on their northern migration. It’s only 1.8 miles round trip, and the views are stunning. It makes sense to combine your elephant seal discovery with a walk along the Chimney Rock Trail. On winter weekends, you will find winter wildlife docents with spotting scopes there to help you spot the seals and discuss their behaviors. It’s a short walk from the Chimney Rock parking lot to the Elephant Seal Overlook. Map of the Point Reyes National Seashore area. The best place to see elephant seals in the park is at Chimney Rock, which is a 45-minute drive from the Bear Valley Visitor Center (see map). Kopshever Explore Point Reyes on Foot Hiking opportunities in Point Reyes are seemingly endless. However, the surf and tides in this area are dangerous, and rip currents and under-tow waves can be deadly. ![]() Breeding and pupping season is in the winter, molting occurs in segregated groups in spring and summer, and the juveniles show up in the fall. The National Park Service says this beach expands over 11 miles (18 kilometers), making for a significant out and back workout. Elephant seals visit Point Reyes beaches throughout the year. ![]()
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