California · 2005—2026
Northern elephant and harbour seals
Seals around California.
Follow public seal observations from California. Browse published records, explore the places and stories behind them, or share an encounter with the Seal Watch team.
- Total reports
- 54
- Latest observation
Public reports · newest first
Public records archive
8 December 2018—6 March 2026
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Explore by area
All areasThe overview shows the full California outline and enlarged coastal views for matching reports. Numbered markers represent broad named areas, never exact observation locations. Select an area to filter the archive. The Farallon Islands marker is offshore; small islands may be absent from the outline.
53 of 54 reports shown in coastal views · 31 areas
Bay Area and Point Reyes
Monterey Bay and Point Lobos
Big Sur and Cambria
Los Angeles coast
Mapped areas North to south
San Diego coast
Other reported areas
No reliable point for this broad area. Its reports remain in the archive and filters.
Map: Natural Earth.
Reports over time
Select a year, then a month. Counts describe published reports; one animal may appear in several reports.
Grouped by each record’s archive date. Approximate dates keep their original labels in the records below.
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Date: 2026Reported: V4 National Park Service / PRNSA
Observation: V4 was photographed again at the visitor-center beach near the end of the breeding season.
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Date: 2026Reported: V4 National Park Service / PRNSA
Observation: The bull identified by dye mark V4 was photographed resting beside the visitor center.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified National Park Service — Point Reyes National Seashore
Observation: A bull northern elephant seal was photographed trumpeting on Drakes Beach.
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Date:Reported: Unidentified National Park Service — Point Reyes National Seashore
Observation: Elephant seals were photographed below the Elephant Seal Overlook at Point Reyes.