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| Area: 4,000 Acres | ||
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| Ano Nuevo State Reserve - Site # 20 | |||
| Background: | Northern and central California's most important seal and sea lion rookery is a windswept world of sand dunes, surf-resistant mudstone ridges, and massive black mounds built by polychaete worms. The main atrractions are the spectacular battles, birthing, breeding, and molting of the two-ton northrn elephant seals. California and Steller sea lions breed on Ano Nuevo Island. Ofshore waters include California gray whales, northern fur seals, and sea otters, listed as threatened in the southern end of their range. Also watch for loons, grebes, marbled murrelts, an seven gull species. Tidepools sustain more than 300 species of invertebrates, and migratory shorebirds are abundant. A freshwater pond and brushy uplands attract waterfowl, songbirds, and birds of prey, as well as Santa Cruz salamanders and San Francisco garter snakes, both endangered. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | More than 318 bird species, many accidentals. High probability of seeing waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds in fall and spring, marine birds in winter. Elephant seals can be seen fighting, breeding, birthing, and weaning from December through March; molting occurs from April through August. Moderate probability of seeing sea lions in spring and summer, whales in December and January, March and April. Visitor center. Winter elephant seal viewing by tour only, universally accessible tours. Call for reservations in November. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Pescadero and Waddell Creek | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | sunrise - sunset | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| How to Get There: | Take Highway 1 for 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay to park entrance. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California State Parks | ||
| Agency Site URL: | http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523 | ||
| Physical Address: | One New Years Eve Rd. Pescadero, CA 94060 |
Agency 2: | same , CA |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (650) 879-0227 | ||
| County: | San Mateo | ||
| Addition Website: | |||