Take SamTrans to see the elephant seals at Año Nuevo

SamTrans will offer round-trips to see northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve.

The $13 trips leave from Albertson’s in Half Moon Bay from January 15 through February 27. People who hope to see the seals during their winter breeding season are urged to make reservations early. Reservations will be accepted beginning Nov. 15.

Pregnant seals come ashore to give birth from late December to early February. Mothers nurse their pups for about a month before mating and going back to sea. Most of the adult seals are gone by early March. The pups remain until April, basking in the sun and learning how to swim.

The two-and-one-half hour walk is conducted rain or shine. The entire trip, including the ride to the reserve, takes approximately six-and-one-half hours. Visitors traveling to the reserve by private car cannot use tickets purchased from SamTrans for their tour.

For more information or to request a reservation form [PDF], call the SamTrans Año Nuevo hotline at 650-508-6441. People with hearing impairments may call (TDD only) 650-508-6448.