Coastside State Parks Association will again offer Sunrise Photography Tours at Año Nuevo State Park at the peak of the elephant seal breeding season.

In 2017, four tours will be available, and each will run from 6-9:30 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21
• Sunday, January 22
• Saturday, February 4
• Sunday, February 5

Each tour is limited to 8 people. A park ranger will lead the tour into and through the elephant seal rookery. Since this access is early in the morning and before the normal guided walks for the public begin, a van will be used to facilitate the tour and to reduce the amount of walking.     

This is a unique opportunity to photograph the elephant seals at sunrise, when the animals are most active. The sun will rise between 7:07 and 7:18 on these days. The park ranger will escort photographers to optimal viewing locations for the elephant seals at Año Nuevo Point. Please note, however, that all viewing access is predicated on public safety and the protection of park resources within State and Federal law.

Cost for this fundraiser is $250 per person, which is entirely tax deductible as a donation to CSPA. California State Parks’ usual entry fee of $10 per car will still apply and be collected at the park entrance. Also, as usual, day passes will be valid.    

Sunrise Photography Tours will be held rain or shine.  Logistical information will be sent to you a week or so before your event.  

Sunrise Photography Tours is a fundraising event for Coastside State Parks Association (CSPA), which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and official California State Parks Cooperating Association.  Money from ticket sales will be used to support interpretive and educational programs and to fund improvements at Año Nuevo State Park and 14 other California State Parks on the San Mateo coast.