Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park is a nature reserve in San Mateo County on the central California coast, stretching across cliffs, sand dunes, and the offshore Año Nuevo Island. The area covers several kilometers of coastline and offers different habitats from forests to beaches.

The Ohlone lived in this area until 1791, before Spanish colonizers established Mission Santa Cruz and brought severe epidemics. The area later became grazing land and received protected status in the 20th century.

The name comes from 1603 when Sebastian Vizcaino sailed past this coast on New Year's Day and called it Año Nuevo in Spanish. This designation has remained through the centuries and still recalls the early European exploration voyages along the California shoreline.

Between December and March visitors need a reservation for guided tours to observe northern elephant seals during their breeding season. Outside these months you can explore the trails and beaches on your own while watching for changing weather conditions.

The park holds multiple ecosystems side by side, including coastal forest with red alder, wetlands, and beaches where marine mammals gather throughout the year. This variety in a small space makes every visit a journey through different landscape types.

Location: San Mateo County

Inception: 1985

Operator: California Department of Parks and Recreation

Website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

GPS coordinates: 37.13310,-122.33300

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29