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Piedras Blancas

15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, CA 93452
805-927-3719
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Ranked #2 of 12 attractions in San Simeon
Type: Beaches, Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Traveller Description: Three miles north of the turnoff to Hearst Castle, you'll find a parking lot overlooking a beach at Piedras Blancas. If it's Dec-Feb, the presence of... more »
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184 reviews from our community

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Orange County, California
Top Contributor
272 reviews 272 reviews
112 attraction reviews
Reviews in 97 cities Reviews in 97 cities
110 helpful votes 110 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

Have been up this way a few times, but had never driven north of Hearst Castle. Nice find along the coast. There were hundred of seals the day we visited and it was interesting to watch them interact with each other and bask in the sun. Great place to bring the kids.

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Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013 NEW

There're many stops along Highway 1 but this one worths a visit. You will seal elephant seal in actions, flapping sand, vocalizing, sleeping and etc. They are so cute and so plesant to look at.

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Marina, California
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
39 attraction reviews
Reviews in 36 cities Reviews in 36 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

A nice relatively quick stop on your way up or down Highway 1. The actual light has been moved to Cambria so be sure and stop there to have a look.

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See 5 more reviews by DeniSandi for San Simeon
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

This was one of my favorite stops on the PCH hwy. There are so many seals that cover the beach here, definately hundreds if not thousands. We went in April so I guess that's a good time to go. These seals are huge, they make loud burping and belching noises and flop around like characters... and slip sand on their... More

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Titusville
Top Contributor
325 reviews 325 reviews
208 attraction reviews
Reviews in 119 cities Reviews in 119 cities
94 helpful votes 94 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2013

This is a large beach and much of it is occupied by elephant seals. There are hundreds of them as the females have given birth and are getting ready to return to the Alaska waters. Many of the older males have already gone. See the reviews under Elephant Seals for more details. This beach can be rocky in places which... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 4 more reviews by James H for San Simeon
Melbourne, Australia
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2013 via mobile

This is a must see, Northern Elephant Seals hauling out on to the beach. April it is the females and juveniles ashore for the molt, males are here in December through February. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, and see hundreds of these fascinating mammals up close.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Marina, California
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

The females and adolescent seals were there...so cute to watch. My grandchildren were so excited to see them! It was wonderful.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 4 more reviews by Sherry P for San Simeon
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 April 2013 via mobile

Yep, lots of seals. Most are pretty cute... But after you've seen them... Well that's all there is to see. Kids loved it. They brought their cameras and had a blast. Wear a warm jacket the wind is cold. Tide pools found to the south are the bomb! See the seals first then go look around the rocks. Never mess... More

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Anaheim, California, United States
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 April 2013

Wow, we went the end of March and the seals were all over. WE got to see some go back and froth from the water but most of them just lay around. Not a lot of noise this trip. They can be very noisy. I heard Jan-Feb is the best time is catch all the action.

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See 2 more reviews by Cynthia F for San Simeon
Atlanta, GA
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2013

My twenty-something daughter and I decided to skip Hearst Castle and just drive and enjoy the scenery of the coast that day. A highlight was stopping to watch the elephant seals frolicking on the beach on Highway 1. Visiting on a weekday in mid-March (just two weeks ago) it was a bit windy (just bring a jacket and hat) but... More

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