Elephant seals

While exploring the pacific coast highway (Hwy 1) in the Jeep we came across some beautiful scenery and cool sights.  As we were driving along we saw a sign the indicated in a few miles we'd come to a beach area where elephant seals hang out. So we decided to check that out.

The elephant seals come to this 3 to 4 mile stretch of beach during various parts of the year.  In April and May they come to molt.

One of the volunteers there told us that there are about 20,000 elephant seals that use the beach but not all at the same time.  On this day they estimated that there were between 4 and 5 thousand on the beach.

 During molting they do not eat or drink.  They just lay on the beach molt and begin growing new skin.  Then back out to sea for a solitary life of swimming and eating.

These two pictures are just of the coast line.