Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park is a California state park on the San Mateo County coast that protects coastal dunes, bluff habitat, and a major northern elephant seal rookery. The site is best known for seasonal seal breeding and pupping activity.

The park features coastal trails, bluff-top boardwalks, and guided tours that lead visitors to viewing areas for elephant seals. The breeding and pupping season, when large numbers of seals congregate on the beaches, runs in winter and early spring and is the primary reason most visitors come.

The area is managed for wildlife conservation and public education; access to the sensitive rookery areas is controlled to minimize disturbance to the animals. Park staff and volunteers run guided interpretive programs focused on elephant seal biology and coastal ecology.

Año Nuevo State Park lies on the San Mateo County coast between the towns of Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay and is accessed from coastal Highway 1 and nearby parking and trailheads.

• Rookery access: Guided walks are required to approach the main elephant seal rookery during the breeding and pupping season for visitor safety and wildlife protection.
• Best time to visit: Best wildlife viewing for pups and breeding behavior is typically from December through March; other months still offer seal haul-outs and coastal trail access.