4.9
(1593)
18,276
hikers
Año Nuevo Point Trail
01:27
5.49km
50m
Hiking
Easy 3.4-mile hike in Año Nuevo State Park, famous for its elephant seal viewing and stunning coastal scenery.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Año Nuevo State Park
Waypoints
Start point
Get Directions
180 m
Picnic tables
Highlight • Rest Area
Tip by
1.46 km
View of Cormorant Colony, Año Nuevo State Park
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
2.50 km
Elephant Seals Observation Point
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
2.95 km
Año Nuevo Point
Highlight • Beach
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.49 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.43 km
Surfaces
2.73 km
1.38 km
1.10 km
104 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Today
Wednesday 27 May
16°C
9°C
19 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I park to access the Año Nuevo Point Trail?
Parking is available at Año Nuevo State Park. The trail typically starts near the visitor center, which is also where you'll find information about permits and tours.
Are there any permits or entrance fees for Año Nuevo State Park?
Yes, there is an entrance fee to Año Nuevo State Park. You can find current fee information and details about any required permits or reservations, especially for elephant seal viewing, on the official California State Parks website.
Is the Año Nuevo Point Trail dog-friendly?
No, dogs are generally not allowed on the Año Nuevo Point Trail or in the Natural Preserve area due to the sensitive wildlife habitat, especially the elephant seals. Service animals are permitted.
When is the best time to visit Año Nuevo Point Trail?
The best time depends on what you want to see. For observing the large elephant seal breeding and birthing season, visit between December 15 and March 31, though access is primarily via docent-led tours. Outside of this season (April through mid-December), you can often explore with a visitor permit, sometimes self-guided, and still see seals, sea lions, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
What is the terrain like on the trail?
The trail features diverse terrain, including coastal terrace prairie, wetland marshes, and significant sand dunes. While much of it is generally flat, traversing the sand dunes can be physically demanding. Sturdy shoes are recommended.
What wildlife can I expect to see along the route?
The trail is famous for its northern elephant seals, especially at the Elephant Seals Observation Point. You might also spot otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and a variety of birds, including cormorants at the Cormorant Colony and on Año Nuevo Island. The area is also a major bird migratory route.
How can I see the elephant seals at Año Nuevo Point?
During the peak breeding season (December 15 - March 31), access to the elephant seal viewing areas is primarily through docent-led guided tours, which require reservations. Outside of this season, visitors can often access viewing areas with a visitor permit, sometimes self-guided, but docents are usually present.
What are the main points of interest along the Año Nuevo Point Trail?
Beyond the elephant seals, you can enjoy breathtaking coastal views, see the historic 19th-century dairy ranch buildings, and spot Año Nuevo Island with its old lighthouse remains. There are also picnic tables available, and the trail leads to Año Nuevo Point itself.
What should I bring for a hike on the Año Nuevo Point Trail?
It's advisable to wear layered clothing due to changing coastal weather. Bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes for varied terrain (especially sand), and protection from sun, wind, or rain. Binoculars are great for wildlife viewing.
Does the Año Nuevo Point Trail connect with other paths?
Yes, the route also passes through sections of the Año Nuevo Point Trail, New Years Creek Trail, Steele Trail, and Cove Beach Trail. A portion of the Equal Access Boardwalk is also available.
Is the Año Nuevo Point Trail a loop or out-and-back?
The primary route to the elephant seal viewing areas is generally an out-and-back experience, though there are various paths within the preserve that can create different walking experiences. Always check park maps for current trail configurations.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
After seeing sea otters in Morro Bay and sea lions 🦭 in Santa Cruz, we wanted to see elephant seals in the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Reserve. In addition to these, the park is also home to deer, coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, pumas, owls, ducks and various bird species: gray herons, snowy egrets, brown pelicans, red-winged blackbirds, black eaters, marsh wrens, yellowthroats, violet-green swallows, king tyrant and yellow-crested night heron. Not to forget the Californian garter snake, which snaked in front of us right at the beginning. Crazy how many elephant seals were on the beaches
We have already arrived home after our three-week, 5500km road trip, but there is still a small trip to report on. On our way back to Los Angeles, we made a short detour to Ańo Nuevo National Park, a park on the Pacific known for its colony of elephant seals. As this is a regional park and not a national park, the Annual Park Pass cannot be used and you have to pay a $10 parking fee to gain entry. After a short briefing in the ranger's house about the rules and behavior, we set off towards the viewing points. The path is initially paved and sometimes leads over wooden planks. The path to the viewing points is then natural, which means that it now goes through the deep sand and dunes. There are exactly three viewing points, which offer different observation options. At this time of year, however, you can only see the elephant seals from a distance, as there are not too many on the beach. In winter, however, it is said to be teeming with animals, which by the way only come to the beach to rest and change their skin. There are also friendly rangers at every lookout point who can tell you a lot of interesting facts about the animals. You can also touch pieces of the skin, which feels quite prickly. Incidentally, this is also the reason why the animals were never hunted for their skin or fur, because this skin is very far from a soft seal skin. After we had walked all the points, we went back the same way and that was the end of our last tour here (apart from the ones in the outlets). Schalli's rating: 🥾🥾🥾- -
Great little park to watch elephant seals, pelicans and cormorant colonies. The best time to view the elephant seals are between mid January and mid February when they give birth and mate.