Año Nuevo Preserve reopens for elephant seal viewing just in time for spring family adventures

For families who count a trip to see the elephant seals among their favorite outings, the wait is finally over. Año Nuevo State Preserve reopened Saturday, April 11, for self-guided tours following a temporary closure due to an avian flu outbreak earlier this season. Free permits are available at the park on the day of your visit, with parking at $10 without a pass. Timing could not be better — young weanlings are still on the beach before heading out on their first ocean migration, and adult female seals have returned to molt, making this one of the most active and fascinating windows of the year to visit with kids in tow. Families should keep a few updated safety guidelines in mind before heading out. Visitors are required to stay within roped areas and maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from both elephant seals and any bird carcasses on the beach. Trail and overlook access is managed dynamically based on where the seals are resting, and some areas may be closed on any given day. If a seal wanders into or very close to a publicly accessible area, visitors should notify a docent immediately so park staff can respond. The guidelines exist to protect both the animals and the people who come to admire them — and following them ensures everyone gets a safe, memorable experience. Año Nuevo is part of a broader network of California coastal parks supported by a statewide team of interpreters and volunteers working to connect families and students to marine ecosystems. Over the past three years, California State Parks' Marine Protected Area Outreach and Education Project has delivered more than 19,000 programs reaching over 1.7 million people across the state, including tidepool walks, campfire programs and live virtual field trips bringing ocean environments into classrooms in real time. For families, a visit to see the elephant seals is more than a fun afternoon — it is a front-row seat to one of nature's most remarkable wildlife spectacles, right on the California coast. For more information, visit parks.ca.gov. Discovering family-friendly destinations and adventures beyond our backyard. Got story ideas, questions or comments? Email Jessica at jessicah@goldcountrymedia.com