Wildflowers and Elephant Seals of Chimney Rock

Explore and learn about the colorful spring kaleidoscope that blooms in great profusion along the bluffs of Point Reyes. This will be a day to treat the senses. You will spend the day examining and identifying the many species of flowers found and learning about their Native American uses, the butterflies that use them as host plants, and the botanists who introduced them to Western science.

During a stop at the Elephant Seal Overlook, you’ll have a chance to observe the elephant seals and learn about their comeback from the brink of extinction, the amazing adaptations that allow them to dive to depths of over a mile, the separate male and female migration routes, and how they meet “same time next year” at Point Reyes to breed.

While the focus is on flora and elephant seals, be prepared to stop for any surprises along the way. In past years, migrating grey whales, coast garter snakes, river otters, coastal green hairstreaks, and peregrine falcons were spotted.