In your rue along the coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles, or vice versa, in California, it is also possible see sea lions in complete freedom.
Just south of the Cliffs known as Big Sur, on the coast next to Interstate 1, and a few miles north of the hearst castle and Saint Simeon, you find a viewpoint from which you can contemplate a colony of sea lions on freedom.
This is the Beach of White stones, now one nature reserve, a place where a few dozen sea lions arrived in November 1990, which were the basis of the current colony.
Sea lions on Piedras Blancas beach
It is between the months of December and April when the beach is populated with thousands of sea lions, and it is estimated that this colony can currently reach 8.000 specimens.
In the rest of the year they migrate to other areas, although it is always possible to see some groups of sea lions in the Piedras Blancas beach, which is currently fully protected.
Seeing them is very easy, because driving along the road you will find a sign indicating the place. (Point View) and there are always cars in the adjacent lot that is used as parking.
After leaving the car, you must walk a few meters to get closer to the beach and in this way you can see the sea lions, you will surely find them lying sunbathing on the sands of the beach.
Clearly see sea lions It is one of the attractions of travel along the California coast, And in White stones you find them.
I will also tell you that you can also see specimens of this species in the Pier 39 from the Fisherman's Wharf area of San Francisco, or in the place of the Monterey Bay known as 17 Mile Drive.
How to get to Piedras Blancas
La Piedras Blancas beach you find it in the interstate 1, almost at the foot of Hearst Castle, and only 7 miles north of San Simeon.
Isn't Big Sur impressive? It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. There are 160 km of coastal strip with wild beaches, very green mountains, incredible cliffs, the most amazing sunset you can imagine... And that's the most absolute silence… I think I suffered from Stendhal syndrome.
Rakel, thank you for your comment.
As for Big Sur, I did not do the complete tour, as I only went from Hearst Castle to the cliff viewpoint just to the south, Ragged Point Vista.
A group of friends with whom I made the trip did do the entire route and the conclusion is that you will have to be patient, because they said it was a long route with many, many curves... As for the viewpoints, don't worry, Surely in the most outstanding views there are viewpoints that you can enter by car.
In any case, from what I saw and what they told me, they are not very impressive cliffs, come on, they have nothing to do with Dover in England or similar places.
Enjoy the trip
Hola!
Thank you very much for your website, it is very helpful. We will soon be going to the west coast of the US and I had a question regarding Big Sur. It's a stupid question but I would appreciate your opinion. It turns out that we will go from Los Angeles to San Francisco traveling along Highway 1 through Big Sur. Looking at photos of travelers I noticed that there are viewpoints on the edge of the road but only along one lane, since the other is already attached to the mountain. If we go to San Francisco, I guess we'll drive on the side next to the mountain, so you can't stop anywhere, right? He explained to me, I guess I won't be able to cross lanes to stop at the viewpoint. And another question: is it easy to get to Julia Pfeiffer Burns?
Thank you so much!