Meet the Scientists
Saturday, May 17
​8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join us for a day celebrating the science that takes place at Piedras Blancas!

The light station is located at 15950 Cabrillo Hwy (Hwy 1), San Simeon. Gates to the light station will be open 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. Please follow the road down to the parking lot near the Fog Signal Building.

The morning will begin at 8 a.m. with the opportunity to ask questions of the whale researchers at the observation platform and a demonstration of the UAV (drone) technology used to study gray whales.

Starting at 9:15 a.m. in the Fog Signal Building, CalPoly graduate students Kenzie Davidson and Katie Saenger will each talk about the lives of elephant seals. 

9:15 - 10 a.m.
Beach Hopping or Beach Bound? The Pursuit of the Perfect Spot in Northern Elephant Seal Maternity by Cal Poly master’s student Kenzie Davidson.

10:15 - 11 a.m.
Movement of Weaned Northern Elephant Seals During Their First At-Sea Foraging Migration by Cal Poly master’s student Katie Saenger.

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., researchers from NOAA Fisheries and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center will show drone footage and talk more about gray whales.

11:15 a.m.
View from Above: Marine Mammal Videos Collected from Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) by Nick Kellar and Ariane Huddleston.

Gray Whales in the North Pacific by Brittany Hanser.

Visitors are welcome to stay for a picnic lunch behind the Coast Guard Units after the last presentation. Please indicate on your reservation if you want lunch. You're also welcome to bring your own lunch. The gift shop will be open during lunch and for a short time afterward.

Meet the Scientists is presented by NOAA, CalPoly, BLM, and PBLSA.

Register below. ​There are just a few tickets available. If there are cancellations, we will post on Facebook and Instagram.
Please stay on the trail.
No Smoking. No Pets.

​Questions? Contact Jodie Nelson at 805-721-0222 or piedrasblancastours@gmail.com.