SophiaTravel

On July 4th, 2025 holiday, per the recommendation from my coworker, I visit pigeon point light station and Ano Nueva State Park. After live in bay area for 18+ years, this is the first time I visit these two parks. And Ano Nueva State Park is famous for the endangered elephant seals.

Pigeon point light station

The unique of pigeon point light station is its anti-fog light head. Back then, the traditional light head was using a whole piece of glasses. The innovation was brought by a French engineer who broken down the big glass pieces into small prisms which reflected the light better, especially in foggy environment.

The light head is currently under maintenance and repair and will be placed in the light house soon.

Map to navigate light houses on the west coast.

Ano Nueva State Park

Ano Nueva State park was originally a ranch, later purchased by California government.

Ano Nueva State Park is famous for endangered northern elephant seals. We went to park on July, July is the season for adult male elephant seal molting, there do not have many seals on the beach. I recommend to visit the park during December – March which are breeding time for both male and female seals.

Ano Nueva State Park is not only a good habitat for elephant seals, it is also a habitat for birds, other marine animals, endangered San Francisco Garter snake and California red-legged frogs.

There is only one trail in the park , the round trip about 4 miles. Several beaches along the trails, and elephant seals can only be seen in natural preserve area.

The trail starting from the park to natural preserve area which is like normal hiking trail.

The view along the trail:

The trail inside natural preserve area is more sandy.

Elephant seals lie in the beach for the sunshine, the visitors cannot access close to beach.

July is not a good season to see the seals, according to the guide, if we come to the park at breeding season, we may cannot see the male seals fighting for the mating.

Elephant seal

The size comparison for male and female elephant seals.

The fat in elephant seal is 55% compared to 4.5% for human. After two months, the baby elephant seal will leave mom and live in the sea independently.