Inflow of elephant seals restricts Level Reyes seashore entry

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE – An unexpected influx of elephant seals has restricted access to a beach at Point Reyes National Seashore, northwest of San Francisco.

The National Park Service closed access to the Drakes Beach area this week after storms and tides landed 200 elephant seals, making the path from the parking lot to the beach unsafe.

The only exception to the closure is between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends and bank holidays when park staff is present.

Giant elephant seals spend most of their time at sea.

Males are 4.3 to 4.9 meters long and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). Women are on average 3 to 3.6 meters long and weigh up to 907 kilograms.