Pescadero is home to a number of local institutions and landmarks, from Arcangeli Grocery Company and Duarte’s Tavern to Harley Farms Goat Dairy and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. But one spot draws 100,000 visitors annually: Año Nuevo State Park, home to the famous northern elephant seal population.
Año Nuevo’s elephant seals are an especially big draw during their breeding season between December and March, when 180 docents lead over 2,000 elephant seal tours for visitors. But elephant seal tours were suspended in February – temporarily at first, then for the duration of the breeding season – after seven weaned elephant seal pups tested positive for bird flu. It marked the first time the virus had been detected in a marine mammal in California and in northern elephant seals.
At first, no one knew how the bird flu would progress in Año Nuevo’s elephant seal colony. But this week, officials announced the reserve’s elephant seal viewing areas are reopening this weekend, just a month and a half after their closure. Scientists haven’t detected a sick or dead animal on the mainland in two weeks.
UC Santa Cruz researchers have studied Año Nuevo’s elephant seals for nearly six decades, making it one of the most closely monitored populations in the world. That history of research, conservation and collaboration with other agencies helped researchers act quickly when the virus hit. Read more about the ongoing research and efforts to help one of the Peninsula’s most iconic creatures in Magali Gauthier’s feature.
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Año Nuevo’s iconic elephant seal viewing areas are reopening after a bird flu outbreak. Scientists have been hard at work the entire time
At its onset, no one knew how the bird flu would progress in the northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo, but this week, officials announced the reserve’s elephant seal viewing areas will reopen on Saturday, just a month and a half after their closure.
Free in Silicon Valley: Where to find clothing and book swaps, fix-it clinics, plant exchanges and more
Swapping and sharing goods and skills is not only an environmentally friendly practice – it’s also a social and fun one.
Where to celebrate Earth Month on the Peninsula
From cleanups to crafts, festivals to hikes, here’s how you can show your appreciation for our planet all month long.
No one was able to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s the star projector at De Anza College’s Fujitsu Planetarium in Cupertino!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Spineless Wonders: April 10 Docent naturalists lead a guided 3-mile evening hike to search for nocturnal invertebrates and, after dark, listen for other night creatures at Windy Hill Preserve (ages 10 and up welcome).
Marshall Crenshaw: April 10 Rock musician Marshall Crenshaw, whose career has spanned four decades thus far, comes to Villa Montalvo for a concert.
Vinyl Day with Dan the Record Man: April 12 Calling all vinyl aficionados: Blue Oak Brewing Company hosts Dan the Record Man, who says he’ll bring at least 10,000 records in many musical genres for attendees to peruse and purchase.
Carillon Performance: April 12 Hear the 48 bells of the carillon housed in Stanford’s Hoover Tower chiming out in a free concert.
Redwood City Parcade: Through April 12 Courthouse Square once again transforms into a mini golf course and arcade, featuring an 18-hole course, vintage arcade games and glow-in-the-dark rounds at night.
Pickleball Sundays: April 12 and 26; May 10 and 24: Open Court Paddle sets up outdoor pickleball courts next to Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company’s beer garden on select Sundays this spring. Bring your own paddle or rent equipment there.
April Artist Market: April 18 Find all kinds of goods by local small businesses and artisans, including ceramics, cards, knit items, chai, baked goods and more at Little Green’s April artist market.
Plan Ahead:
Independent Bookstore Day: April 25 Indie bookstores all over will celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with special activities, including a storytime with author Dashka Slater (and an optional stuffie sleepover) at Linden Tree Books and a literary trivia game at Kepler’s.
SpringFest 2026: April 25 Celebrate spring at Quarry Park with crafts, face painting, the Sage Bakehouse food truck and performances from Sterling Bubbles and saxophone ensemble fun’SQ.
50th Annual Wildflower Show: April 25 The Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society hosts a milestone celebration for its annual wildflower show with hundreds of native wildflowers and plants on display and a variety of activities for all ages.
Night at the Library: April 25 Solve a literary mystery after hours at the Redwood City Library at a fundraising event featuring puzzles, food, cocktails, prizes and “literary spirits.”
Stay in Bloom: May 1-2 Musician/producer Dabin returns to Frost Amphitheater for another iteration of the Stay in Bloom festival, featuring multiple artists over the two-day event.
May Day Music & Art Festival: May 2-3 Two days of live music, food and drink vendors, art installations and more come to Pie Ranch for this celebration of spring. There is even the option to camp on-site Saturday evening.
NUMU First Free Sundays: May 3 New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month, including guided tours.
National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy’s Spring Community Day: May 9 NCEFT offers equine-assisted therapy programs for children and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges. At the organization’s community day, participants can meet horses, learn about the programs, shop a tack sale and enjoy live music and food.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival: May 9 California winemakers will present their wines all along Half Moon Bay’s Main Street while a variety of jazz musicians and groups perform, including Jesús Diaz Y Su QBA, the Marcus Shelby Nonet, the Stella Heath Sextet and Rabiah Kabir.
Summer Splash Market: May 24 Rancho Pool offers a free public swim, an artistic swim performance, food vendors and a market featuring local artists and businesses at its Summer Splash Market.
Wildflower Hikes at Edgewood: Through May Edgewood Natural Preserve is known for its rich biodiversity and abundant wildflowers. Free guided wildflower walks are offered throughout spring, including special kid-friendly hikes on select weekends.
Checking out the best recommendations at Peninsula libraries
From karaoke machines and park passes to bike rentals and kids’ classes, we peruse the unique offerings at 9 local libraries
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