Año Nuevo offseason offers easy opportunity to see juvenile elephant seals  

In two months, it will be standing room only at Año Nuevo State Park when thousands of northern elephant seals return to mate and give birth at this protected spot on the Pacific Ocean in San Mateo County. But for now, the coast is relatively clear. There are only 20 juvenile seals there.    

In high season, from December through March, docents guide visitors in tightly controlled groups of 15 to keep humans from getting too close to the massive sea creatures that weigh up to 2 tons. Visitors need to secure reservations before joining a tour.