February is the best time to visit the new-born elephant seal pups at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore. Madeline and Alan recently made the 45-mile trip to the Chimney Rock overlook at the end of January to see the seal colony lounging on the beach. The overlook is an easy, third-of-a-mile walk from the parking area at the end of Chimney Rock Road. It was a sunny winter day without wind and comfortable for a visit and walk.
The small black animals are the new Elephant Seal pups, about 60 pounds at birth.
To see more seals and the spectacular scenery at the southern end of the Point Reyes peninsula, you can take the easy 2-mile round-trip walk. The Park Service provides a printed map at the parking area. On a sunny winter day, you can stay comfortably warm for this walk.
On the way home, Madeline stopped at Point Reyes Station for an exceptional meal at the Station House Café, finishing dinner with the famous buffalo milk soft serve ice cream at the Palace Market just across the street. Take a few minutes to explore this market, which may be the best in Marin! Note that Point Reyes Station is often crowded with visitors on the weekends.
Don’t wait too long, as most of the seals will be leaving in March. Madeline is planning to go back in April, when this area has an excellent display of wildflowers.