On the Central Coast of California, just north of Hearst Castle, there is a National Geographic special with its own highway turnout.

Almost any time of the year, you can park your car south of the Piedras Blancas lighthouse and walk less than 200 yards to an amazing sight, but if you visit around Valentine's Day you will see the colony at its peak. Hundreds and hundreds of elephant seals. From a small bluff no more than twelve feet above the beach, you can watch bulls fighting, babies being born, mothers nursing, and pups tossing sand on themselves to keep cool.

Elephant seals are very unlike seal or harbor seals in size, looks and personality. They get their name from the large nose on the males, which is similar to an elephant’s trunk. It is not uncommon to see bulls that weigh five thousand pounds and are fifteen feet long. During mating season, the bulls use their unusual noses to make loud roaring noises as well as to push other males out of their territory.

Elephant seals started appearing on the coastline near Piedras Blancas in the early 90s when less than two dozen were spotted on the beach. Pups were born a couple of years later, and today the colony is home base for more than 15,000 animals.

Depending on the time of the year, visitors will see very different numbers and events happening on the beach. The most memorable time is from late December to mid February, when bulls, females, juveniles and pups are all on the beach. Locals commonly bring lawn chairs, pull them up to the edge of the bluff, and spend a day watching the seals. Seeing an actual birth is quite an experience. Watch for seagulls who land around the female just before her pup is born.

Docents from the Friends of the Elephant Seal are almost always on site to answer visitor questions and be sure that these amazing mammals are protected. There are no fees, and only minor fences or ropes. The elephant seals are covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and federal law prohibits harrassment.

You may notice elephant seals on other beaches both south and north of the primary viewing area. There is no visitor information at those sites and the rookeries are much, much smaller.

The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is 14 miles north of Cambria. Watch for a small sign just south of the turnout.