Now is the perfect time for animal lovers to head to San Simeon and check out the elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas rookery.

January is the month when the most births occur, and last weekend the viewing area was packed with onlookers thrilled to see mama seals giving birth.

According to the nonprofit Friends of the Elephant Seal, the first pups of the season were born on Dec. 16.

Viewing areas are open daily, and there is no charge. Signs provide information about elephant seals, but you can learn a lot more from volunteer docents in the viewing area.

If you can’t make it to the coast, click on the Friends of the Elephant Seal live-stream cam at this link.