Carrizo Plain National Monument is located near Santa Margarita, California, in the southeastern part of San Luis Obispo County. It is a remote and largely undeveloped area that is home to a variety of plant and animal species, as well as important cultural resources.
At Elephant Seal Vista Point between mid-November through mid-January, the dominant bull elephant seals are returning, displacing the sub adult males who have been on the beach for weeks practicing their gladiator skills in hopes of competing against those giant bulls for the affection of the females.
Light Station provides a glimpse into our nation's past when lighthouses served a vital role in maritime navigation. Today it is managed as a historic park and wildlife sanctuary. The light station is part of the federally designated Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area and the California Coastal National Monument.
