Mammal Action

It’s spring break for Northern California’s marine mammals, and party central is Point Reyes State Park. Ranger John Golda presides over the party of elephant seals and gray whales here. A seven-year park veteran, Golda says the best views of the frolicking mammals are from Chimney Rock Trail, a 1.6-mile round-trip hike through gorgeous wildflowers. On Saturdays and Sundays binocular-toting docents staff the Elephant Seal Overlook. But bring your own lenses to spot the migrating whales from Chimney Rock—53 of the leviathans showed up last weekend. The park's breeding colony of elephant seals can best be observed from Elephant Seal Overlook above Drakes Bay. One tip: “Be sure to get here early to avoid the crowds,” says Golda. “The first bus to the trailhead leaves at 9 a.m.” Party bus!

The park operates a $5 round-trip shuttle bus system to the trailhead from the Drakes Beach parking lot on fair-weather weekends and holidays through mid-April; Sir Francis Drake Blvd. is closed to other vehicles from South Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas during these times. More information.