Welcome to the World of Sea Ranch Harbor Seals!
Spring at Sea Ranch is truly magical. As coastal meadows burst into bloom, our shores come alive with an event that keeps visitors coming back: the arrival of adorable harbor seal pups! These delightful new residents make Sea Ranch Abalone Bay a must-visit destination for nature lovers and families alike.
Springtime Spectacle for Guests
As a guest who books your stay at Sea Ranch Abalone Bay, access to the Green Cove Rookery is just a short walk from the back door. Plus you have access to all trails, ocean bluffs, and beaches.
However, for general public viewing of the harbor seals, your best option to viewing the harbor seals would be at Shell Beach which is south of Tide Pool Beach. The trail to Shell Beach is 0.65 miles one way.
Tide Pool Rookery: Nature’s Maternity Ward
Beginning in March through Labor Day, the shores and rocky outcroppings at Green Cove Point and Tide Pool Beach transform into natural maternity wards. Here, pregnant harbor seals haul out to prepare for birth. This special gathering—called a rookery—is a blend of anticipation, competition, and, yes, even a bit of seal school for the youngsters.
Green Cove Rookery: The Playful Nursery
Just a stone’s throw from Sea Ranch Abalone Bay, Green Cove serves as a secondary rookery.
Although fewer pups are born here, this spot doubles as a playground where pups and adults can frolic and learn the ropes of life in the surf.
Why Tide Pool is the Ideal Birthplace
Harbor seals are “philopatric” – they return year after year to the same safe havens. Tide Pool Beach, with its sheltered pocket beaches and calm, sandy coves, provides the perfect environment for giving birth. This tranquility is essential: repeated disturbance by humans or predators could force these mothers to abandon their birthing grounds. Since 1996, Sea Ranch has safeguarded this area, offering visitors a rare, close-up view of these incredible marine mammals—and sometimes even a live birth!
Meet the Harbor Seal Docents
Photo: Jorge Martinez
For over 25 years, our knowledgeable Harbor Seal Docents have been stationed at the observation area above the rookery, sharing stories and science about these charismatic creatures. They’re the friendly faces guiding you through everything from why seals choose Tide Pool Beach to how they maintain their unique “banana” resting pose.
A Rewarding Experience
Sometimes volunteers are rewarded with the birth of a pup on their watch. This is the case of Jeannie Claypoole who was observing Tidepool Rookery on The Sea Ranch. According to the Menodonoma Sightings accounting, “she saw a Harbor Seal that seemed very antsy. Sure enough, she was about to give birth.”
Photos by Jeannie Claypoole:
Life at Sea Ranch: Up Close with the Seals
A stroll along our oceanfront trails is like entering a secret world. From sunbathing on rocky shelves to graceful underwater acrobatics, our harbor seals remind us that life by the sea is full of surprises. Watch them “bottle” vertically in the water or catch them mid-frolic as they chase a meal or simply enjoy the sunshine.
10 Secrets of Sea Ranch Harbor Seals
And now as promised, let’s spill the beans on some fun and informative seal secrets that make Sea Ranch a haven for marine life:
Secret #1. Many Names, One Marvelous Mammal
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) are the smallest pinnipeds in California. Whether you call them harbor seals or Pacific harbor seals, these air-breathing, live-bearing marvels come with all the typical mammal perks—warm blood, fur, and even uniquely shaped teeth!
Secret #2. Redheads from San Francisco
Keep an eye out for a striking twist: some seals sport a red or rust tinge to their fur. This unique coloring comes from iron oxide deposits and hints at visits from the San Francisco Bay!
Secret #3. A Local Habitat with a Wide Reach
Pacific harbor seals call a vast stretch of coastline home—from Alaska to Baja California—but they’re loyal to their local hangouts. However, at Sea Ranch, these seals rarely stray far from familiar, protected resting sites.
Sea Ranch Marine Preserves and Reserve
Because Sea Ranch harbor seals enjoy hauling out in our protected coves, many here are designated as Marine Preserves. This prohibits the taking of fish or disruption of marine life in these areas, including the Sea Ranch harbor seals.
Del Mar Landing State Marine Reserve
The Del Mar Landing State Marine Reserve is located between the Fish Rock and Solstice Hedgerows. Del Mar Landing State Marine Reserve (SMR) is a marine protected area, or underwater park, that covers 0.22 square miles of Sonoma’s coastal waters. This stretch of coast is characterized by tall bluffs, rocky shores, and sandy coves.
Secret #4. The Art of Hauling Out
“Hauling out” isn’t just a fancy term—it’s how seals warm up and rest. Watch as they lounge in a signature banana-like position, carefully keeping their distance from one another (except for that special mother–pup bond). It is very rare for harbor seals to choose a haul out so close to humans, making the rookeries at Sea Ranch a rare natural treasure, indeed.
Secret #5. Protection is Paramount
Our seals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. By designating areas like Tide Pool Beach as marine reserves, Sea Ranch ensures these vulnerable creatures can rest, nurture, and thrive without human disturbance. The Marine Mammal Protection Act is especially critical for the protection of the harbor seals. Because seals are very shy and afraid of humans, they quickly swim into the ocean, leaving their pups to fend for themselves. For this reason our docents warn guests to quietly and slowly approach the ocean bluff’s edge without their dogs.
No Dogs Allowed Near the Rookeries
Visitors to the rookeries with dogs will be asked to keep their pets far away from the bluff. There are tie-off locations for your pet. Docents will direct you to where you may safely keep your dog.
Secret #6. Birth Begins in March
Every March marks the start of the pupping season. With pups weighing around 20–24 pounds at birth and capable of swimming almost immediately, it’s nature’s way of ensuring survival even in a dynamic coastal environment.
Newborn pups
The pregnant seals will rest on tidal sandbars, rocky reefs and pocket beaches then stay close to their pups until they are ready to go out on their own. Pregnant seals birth only one pup at a time. Multiple births are very rare. If born prematurely, harbor seals retain a whitish lanugo coat (which is usually lost before birth). A pup can swim at birth and will sometimes ride on its mother’s back when tired. Pups make a bleating noise that sounds like “maaaa.” After about four weeks, the pups are weaned. They may live for 25 to 30 years.
Secret #7. Docents Make a Difference
Our volunteer docents not only educate visitors but also monitor the health and safety of the seal populations during this critical period. Their vigilant work helps ensure that even if a pup gets temporarily separated, help is never far away. They keep record of the seal pups born, and check to see if there mothers are out foraging or have been scared off.
For this reason the docents will ask visitors give them space! Mom is likely foraging nearby, and your presence may prevent her from tending to her young.
The Sea Ranch Harbor Seals Rookery Project provides extra eyes and ears on the bluff. The Project was started because of increasing reports of harassment to the colony during the time when seal mothers and pups are present at these locations.
Secret #8. Apex Predators of the Shore
Despite their small size, harbor seals sit high on the food chain. Their varied diet includes anchovies, rockfish, sardines, herring, flounder, salmon, hake, and sculpin. They also eat invertebrates such as octopus, squid and even crabs. But this reflects a balanced ecosystem that can only flourish when every link in the food chain is healthy.
Harbor seals are not the most cultured of diners. They don’t chew their food. Instead, they’ll swallow their food whole or tear it into chunks. With their back molars, they crush shells and crustaceans.
Secret #9. Facing Natural Predators
White sharks, orcas, and even terrestrial predators like coyotes and bobcats keep our seals on their toes. While these encounters are rare, they remind us of the delicate balance of life in our coastal waters.
Secret #10. You Can Get Involved!
Sea Ranch and The Marine Mammal Center are always looking for volunteers. Whether you want to rescue injured animals, educate the public, or simply learn more about these captivating creatures, your involvement can make a big difference.
Learn more:
The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals – primarily elephant seals, harbor seals, and California sea lions. Since 1975, they’ve been headquartered in Sausalito, CA in the Marin Headlands within the Golden Gate National Parks, and have rescued and treated more than 20,000 marine mammals.
These Secrets Are Meant to Be Shared!
Now that you know about our Sea Ranch harbor seals and The Marine Mammal Center, we hope you’ll spread the word to your friends as well.
Naturally, we encourage you to share this post on your social media outlets and encourage others to learn more about our marvelous marine mammals and consider becoming a volunteer.
Have you ever experienced harbor seals or other marine mammals up close? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.
Interested in knowing about other experiences and areas to explore in Sea Ranch?
Then be sure to click here!
About the Author
Donna Martinez is owner of Sea Ranch Abalone Bay Vacation Rental (SeaRanchAbaloneBay.com). To book at Sea Ranch Abalone Bay contact her at Donna@searanchabalonebay.com or click Book Now. Become a member of the Sea Ranch Abalone Bay’s Inner Circle and be first to get special offers and events by clicking here.
Very extensive background on harbor seals. I’ll have to visit in July during birthing season!
I was told that sea ranch sea lions or seals congregate at sea in large groups (100 or more) with fins interlocked as if resting. Is this true?
Thanks for your question Lisa.
The interlocking of fins is called “rafting” and is done only by the Sea Lions. Yes, it is true there have been accounts of large groups of Sea Lions rafting in Sea Ranch (mostly in the northern end) and up into Mendocino County shores.
Sea Lions are the chummiest of pinnipeds. They’ll gregariously pile on top of each other on the rocks when they have hauled out. When they have not found a suitable place to haul out they’ll float along together, interlocking their fins. This raft helps to support them in the water as they cozy up to each other.
When rafting, Sea Lions will often be sleeping at the surface or just below the surface and they will intermittently rise up to breath. In small groups, sometimes 3-4 Sea Lions will have their flippers up and the ones sleeping under water are only visible by seeing portions of their backs or bellies. We’re not sure why Sea Lions raft this way but some speculate that it’s for group resting, that the flipper extension allows them to align themselves in the water or that the flippers can be used for thermoregulation.
Thermoregulation is the process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature. The state of having an even internal temperature is called homeostasis. Thus rafting is a thermoregulation mechanism designed to return the body to homeostasis
On the other hand….You’ll never see Harbor Seals form a raft.
Harbor Seals are all very shy, solitary animals. They will spend much of their time alone in the water hunting for food or checking out their surroundings. They rarely touch each other when they congregate – whether in the water or when they haul out onto the beach and rocks. When one does come too close to another it’s usually met with a bit of a growl.
Have you had a chance to visit our Harbor Seals yet Lisa? Or seen any of the Sea Lions along the Mendonoma coast?
Thanks so much; you’re a treasure trove of information. I’m up here a lot and will be on the lookout
Let us know when you plan to visit!
I’m very interested in visiting the rookeries and will be coming to Sea Ranch either 4/21 or 4/22, driving up from San Rafael. It’ll be a day visit, not an overnight.
I’d be grateful for info re: where the rookeries are located and directions and anything I need to know about visiting – I also understand that parking can be a challenge.
All info appreciated. I’ve often visit the MMC in Sausalito – an amazing place !!
I’m happy to make a donation to MMC or another agency.
Thanks for visiting our site and for your question. And we certainly appreciate your enthusiasm and generosity. Because of your question I have updated the post to reflect what the general public’s options are for viewing the seals. Please refer back to the post for new information and details.
First I must point out that Sea Ranch is a private community that requires visitors to have both guests passes to access the trails and recreation centers and parking tags for parking on the streets. As a guest, you would have guest access to all the trails and have a parking tag for your car.
We have public access to 6 trails from Highway one that you take you to the various beaches along the 10 mile stretch of The Sea Ranch.
I recommend you take the Shell Beach access trail (39200 Highway 1, The Sea Ranch). There is a small public parking lot on Highway 1.
The trail is 0.65 miles one way. It runs through pines and meadow to a wide, sandy beach with sea rocks and tide pools. Small boats can be carried to the ocean via a beach ramp.
Should you bring a dog remember that they frequently scare the moms away from their newborns. You will be asked to tether your dog away from the ocean bluff edge.
Please remember to stay on the marked public access trails as the other paths and roads within The Sea Ranch are privately owned.
The Tide Pool Rookery is just north of Shell Beach. Unfortunately, Tide Pool Rookery is not accessible to the public.
You would not have access to the Green Cove Rookery as there is no public access to it.
One last thought to consider- Abalone Bay is available at this writing for the Easter weekend for a 3-night booking. When you stay at our home you’ll have full access everywhere- all beach, meadow, and redwood forest trails. I am including a free round of golf for anyone who books the house directly via our website. Or if you are not a golfer, we will be happy to present you with a copy of Jeanne Jackson’s book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. Let’s talk!
One last thought to consider- Abalone Bay is available at this writing for the Easter weekend for a 3-night booking. When you stay at our home you’ll have full access everywhere- all beach, meadow, and redwood forest trails. I am including a free round of golf for anyone who books the house directly via our website. Or if you are not a golfer, we will be happy to present you with a copy of Jeanne Jackson’s book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. Let’s talk!