Hearst San Simeon State Park

Hearst San Simeon State Park stretches along the northern SLO County coast near the foot of Hearst Castle, protecting a mosaic of sandy beaches, rocky tidepools, wetlands, and coastal bluffs. The park is made up of several distinct day-use and natural areas, including Leffingwell Landing — a rocky cove and picnic spot famous for tidepooling and otter sightings — the Santa Rosa Creek estuary, the San Simeon Nature Preserve boardwalk trail through wetlands and Monterey pine forest, and the Washburn day-use and camping area on the bluffs. A highlight is the San Simeon Coast trail system, where boardwalks and bluff paths wander past tide pools, harbor seals, and one of the best stretches of accessible Central Coast shoreline. Just up the road, the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery draws thousands of visitors to watch hundreds of massive seals haul out on the sand. Together these areas make Hearst San Simeon one of the most varied and wildlife-rich coastal parks in the county.