10 Nature & Parks in San Simeon That You Shouldn't Miss

July 1, 2021 Frederic Celentano

San Simeon (ZIP Code: 93452; area code 805) is a town and census-designated place on the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. Its position along State Route 1 is approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, each of those cities being roughly 230 miles (370 km) away. A key feature of the area is Hearst Castle, a hilltop mansion built by William Randolph Hearst in the early 20th century that is now a tourist attraction. The area is also home to a large northern elephant seal rookery, known as the Piedras Blancas rookery. It is located seven miles north of San Simeon on Highway 1.
Restaurants in San Simeon

1. Piedras Blancas

15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, CA 93452
Excellent
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3%
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5.0 based on 722 reviews

Piedras Blancas

Reviewed By DePere - De Pere, United States

We visited the elephant seal rookery of Piedras Blancas in mid-April. We learned while we were there that the large males (5000 pounds) with the extended noses (proboscis ) would not be on the beach at this time of the year. The elephant seals on the beach would be females and adolescents using the beach as a place to molt. This was a great experience. We visited the boardwalk during the evening and then returned to the same area in the morning. We witnessed more activity in the morning session. The boardwalks extend both north and south of the parking lot. There were seals in the water, seals on the beach, seals sleeping, seals climbing over each other, and seals sparring with each other. This was just a great experience, especially for a person from the Midwest. The area has great signage on the road so a person can easily find the rookery, located a few miles north of San Simeon. Brochures and informational bulletin boards provides you with education about these sea mammals. No fee associated with parking or accessing the viewing area.

2. Boucher trail

Half Mile North of the Piedras Blancas Light Station., San Simeon, CA
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Boucher trail

Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States

This is the trail to the north of the first parking lot (southbound) overlooking the Elephant Seals. It is a nice, short hike overlooking the beach. We saw Elephant Seals on the beach, and a heron and a hawk in the grassy area. You can also see a lone rock out in the ocean and can get some pretty good pictures when the waves crash on the back side of the rock with the spray in the background. While we did see several Elephant Seals, we saw a lot more walking on the boardwalk towards the second parking lot.

3. Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Viewing Area: 7.2 miles north on Hwy 1 or 4 miles North of Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA 93452 +1 805-924-1628 [email protected] http://elephantseal.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 3,096 reviews

Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop

The Elephant Seal Viewing area and the Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop (250 San Simeon Ave, Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA) are two separate locations. They are 7.2 miles apart. Please plan to visit both while you are in the area. Directions to both locations: https://elephantseal.org/locations/ The Friends of the Elephant Seal docents (guides) provide education for visitors to the Elephant Seal Viewing area at Piedras Blancas, every morning and afternoon, 365 days a year. Long boardwalks provide wonderful, up-close viewing opportunities. Look for docents in the blue jackets! Viewing Area is located 4 miles north of the Hearst Castle. Find us here: Put these coordinates into any map program: 35° 39' 48" N, 121° 15' 28" W Or use this link for the accurate location of the viewing area: https://goo.gl/maps/fzfACKBqNgcwurjf9

Reviewed By timohteee - Delaware, United States

My wife and I actually drove passed this stop and turned around to go back because we noticed a large group of people. We are glad we decided to turn around! When we got there around 6PM, there were a couple dozen elephant seals basking in the sun on the beach. Every now and then, you’ll catch one get up and stretch or another scooting across the sand to a new spot. It was surprisingly amazing to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat and was definitely a highlight for us both on our trip.

4. Jade Cove

Highway 1, San Simeon, CA 93920
Excellent
54%
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4.5 based on 56 reviews

Jade Cove

Jade hunters enjoy looking for this gem on the beach.

5. William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach

750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452-9740 805-927-2035 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=589
Excellent
57%
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4.5 based on 164 reviews

William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach

Reviewed By ROCruiser - Claremont, United States

We were spending a few days in Morro Bay after staying home for six months because of the pandemic. It was easier to travel in our RV which was like taking our 'house' with us. We bought some pies and quiche from Linn's Easy as Pie in Cambria and had a picnic lunch right here at the beach in our RV. What a great view to go with our delicious lunch! Entrance was free as we told the ranger that we were just stopping for lunch. There were not many people there which made it even better for us.

6. Elephant Seal Vista Point

3 Miles North of San Simeon, San Simeon, CA 93452 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26424
Excellent
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4.5 based on 5 reviews

Elephant Seal Vista Point

Reviewed By Seaside52381475060

I was worried that we wouldn't see very many seals since we were traveling at the very end of March. We were pleasantly surprised to see HUNDREDS of seals (I'm assuming Males & Babies). They were in pockets along a large stretch of coastline near San Simeon. The viewing Vista's off of PCH 1 allowed for many visitors to park and view this amazing natural sight. You could easily walk to many different viewing points. The seals were very entertaining. Well worth the drive out of LA!

7. San Simeon State Park

San Simeon Creek Road, San Simeon, CA 93428 +1 805-927-2035 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=590
Excellent
50%
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4.0 based on 208 reviews

San Simeon State Park

Reviewed By jaen521 - Rancho Cucamonga, United States

We loved camping at the state park. There are no hook ups but the park was still quiet even with a few generator left running. It was very windy and cold at times. You can see the beach from the tent campsites and hear the waves crash. There is some road noise from hwy1. There is an abundance of poison oak near some campsites. Just stay out of the brush and you’re good.

8. San Carpoforo Creek Trail

San Simeon, CA
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

San Carpoforo Creek Trail

9. Oak Knoll Creek Beach

Highway 1 About 2.2 miles north of Old San Simeon, San Simeon, CA
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3.0 based on 1 reviews

10. Arroyo Laguna State Beach

Cabrillo hwy, San Simeon, CA
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3.0 based on 1 reviews

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