The Birds… The Bees… And the Elephant Seals?

Contact the Guides:

Charlie Toney: ctoney@usc.edu

Ana Matsubara: amatsuba@usc.edu

Meet: 7:45am, EVK (Sunday)

Return: 6:30pm to campus (Monday)

Activity: Easy, very Relaxed

Member: $67  Non Member: $84 Participant Drivers (2 needed): $21

Didn’t get enough love on Valentine’s Day? Join us (2 days late) for one special night in beautiful San Simeon. We’ll enjoy a stunning afternoon, and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while we are serenaded by the sensual (definitely not) bellows of magnificent Northern Elephant Seals. Weighing more than 4,000 pounds (some can grow to double that weight), the elephant seals have travelled all the way from Alaska to spend a few short weeks on the shores of California to breed and bare their young. Coincidentally, Valentines Day weekend marks the peak of their mating season and the ultimate occasion to witness the awe-inspiring combat of bull elephant seals as they compete to win the hearts of choosy females.

On Sunday, at 7:45am, we’ll drive up to San Simeon (hopefully taking time to explore some of Morro Bay along the way) and eat lunch on an undeveloped beach before heading to Vista Point to watch the San Simeon Northern Elephant Seal colony in all its glory (and maybe pass a heard of zebras by Hearst Castle). Monday we’ll spend hiking along the Central Coast, and exploring the tide pools before heading back to campus, ideally arriving around 6:30pm.

What to Bring:

• Backpack (school backpack will work)

• Water bottle

• Mess kit (bowl, fork/spoon)

• Shoes for hiking

• Shoes for tidepool adventuring

• Beach towel (optional)

• Windbreaker or outer shell

• Warm layers (sweatshirt/fleeces)

• Sleeping Bag

• Sleeping Pad

• Camera (optional but recommended)

*** reminder that participant drivers will be charged the member price and then reimbursed the difference at the completion of the trip