carpinteria harbor seal preserve and rookery

It was great the seals n their pups were so amazing stood on the cliff overlooking them for and hour or more. Just make sure your careful crossing the railroad tracks

Low tide provides a great beach walk beneath the cliffs; there's crude oil everywhere--shale and sandstone create the cliffs and the rocky shoreline. "Tarpits" is the local surf spot, for good reason. Young sea lions can be abundant.

The Seal Rookery is a great place to visit, but not clearly signed. I found the best way to get there is to walk down Dump Road to the railway tracks and then turn left on the trail just past the tracks. Continue for a short walk past the parking area and you can see the seals from on top of the cliff without distressing them.

It was really something to see all these seals and their pups laying the beach. You do not see this everyday. Enjoy.

In the winter, the pups are being born and learning to swim in the tide pools. Best time to go is in mid Feb-to about April, it seems to be when there is the most action. And try to go at low tide, this is when the seals are more active in the tide pools, etc. You have to walk to get there, so see some of the other reviews about that.

Located just off the 101 freeway there is a parking lot. An easy trail takes you down to the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, my disability did not allow me to jump the tracks, but we were told that a cliff was just beyond that had a trail leading to the harbor seal area. Otherwise the area was pretty and very clean. Just off the parking lot is a popular hot dog wagon.

Great morning to go for a quick hike to see the seals. There were many laying on the beach and not moving much. Not sure if the season was for mating or not

There is a small car-park at Carpinteria bluffs nature preserve, where you can walk thru here and also go down to a less busy awesome beach. A little walk, well worth it!

This little section of the beach has been chosen by the seals as their rookery. A group of local citizens recognized this and successfully had the state close off the rookery to the public. The viewing area is on the bluff overlooking the rookery. It offers no services other than the viewing area. Bring binoculars if you want a closer look.There are concerned "monitors" who may let you know, sometimes aggressively, if you are bothering the seals. If you stay quiet and don't make any sudden motions, these people will generally leave you alone. Some may come up to you and offer their expertise. If you ignore them, they will go away.

Great place to catch the harbor seals, especially when the pups are born and begin to grow. I love watching the moms teaching them how to swim and use the surf to move around.

I usually meet a friend in Carpinteria for breakfast downtown and then we walk it off to see the seals (moms and babies). It's quite fun to watch the seals laze around, talk to each other and swim around. During the season there is a volunteer at the lookout to answer questions. Please be respectful of the distance restrictions and leave the seals in peace. Take a camera with a good zoom lense if you want close up pictures.

Even though you can only see the babies from a cliff above the rookery. it's so sweet to see the babies following their mothers around! The view from the cliff is spectacular and volunteers are on hand to give informative chats about the seals and their habitat. Not to be missed!

Nice to see these guys relaxing and looking cool at the beach. It's a nice walk to get there as well.

We have been to the preserve several times. Parking at the State Beach parking lot, getting to the preserve is a pleasant coastwise hike along easy and occasionally moderate trails. There are native brush varieties, Torrey pines, and wonderful cliff views as you stroll through the Tar Pits park and up toward the bluffs. Listen carefully for the sound of seals. Approach quietly and with care, and you'll often be greeted by seals frolicking in the kelp beds offshore. Stay clear of the beaches: this is a rookery, and too much human activity will keep the animals away. If you are on 101 on a drive up or down the coast, take my advice: get off the road at Carpenteria, stretch your legs, and take an hour for this hike. You won't regret it.

A great place to learn about seals from the many volunteers or watch over this birthing area on the beach. You get to walk out to this area on good, sceinic trails. All should visit at least once.