We are going to SF 1st week of Nov. and we would like to know where we could see seal and sea otter without having to go on a boat cruise or to an aquarium. Any suggestions ?

Take the 17 mile drive down by Carmel. You'll see lots of them down there.

Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf has a zillion seals. Just walk or take a cable car from where you stay.

That would be sea lions at Pier 39, cd not habor seals. Sea otters are not found as far north as SF--their range is between Half Moon Bay and Santa Barbara. A good place to see all three, is Point Lobos, just south of Carmel. A wonderful place to visit if you have time.

SAB
Thanks for the clarification.

Definitely Point Lobos. You'll love it. It has been called the greatest meeting of land and sea. And it is.

Another vote for Pt. Lobos and 17 Mile Drive. We'll be spending four days in this gorgeous area in December, can't wait! ***kim***

Point Lobos outside Carmel, and the shoreline walk in Monterey (which you can also just drive along, parking in the little lots along the way) . In SF, Pier 39 for sea lions in droves. Enjoy!

I seemed to be infected with correctitis today. E if you are referring to the road along the ocean south of the aquarium, that's Pacific Grove, not Monterey.

Aflicted or not, you're exactly right, SAB, that is Pacific Grove--sorry! I tend to neglect the disticnction between the two.

I also tend to type badly. Afflicted, indeed.

Thanks to all for the responses. I have now included Point Lobos in my itinerary.

What if we would like to see Dolphins (common ones)?

I've seen dolphins off the coast quite a few times in the Spring. We have a birthday party every year the first weekend in May at Seacliff beach in Aptos and we almost always see at least a couple out in the bay - they come in from the open ocean to eat and hang out in the relatively calm waters for awhile. They are migrating north at that time, so it stands to reason they would be going back south in the fall. If they are out there, you should be able to see them from Point Lobos.

Ack - hit post too soon.

I wanted to mention the tide pools at Pacific Grove since someone mentioned the walk way there. Definitely a goregous spot and I am always jealous of the people who have their houses right there across the road from the water. Along the beach there are bunches of tide pools - great spot for beach combing as well as looking for otters and sea lions.

We saw dolphins in Montecito when we were dining at the Biltmore in December from our outside table. So cool!

BTW J, I agree about the basic knowledge thing from the Fort Clatsop thread. It is basic American History. ***kim***

A good place to see California Sea Lions and sea otters is the wharf in Monterey and at Pt. Lobos as others suggested. The wharf in Santa Cruz also attracts quite a few Sea Lions as well.
I live in Aptos and walk almost everyday at Seacliff beach. I used to see the dolphins almost everyday, but we were afflicted with a horrible red tide all summer this year. It seems that it drove them to clearer waters. The red tide is gone but I haven't seen the dolphins in awhile
My husband did see some at Manresa a few weeks ago though. Manresa is a few miles south of Aptos.
In November you might get lucky and see some early Grey Whales from Pt. Lobos.

I saw whales off Point Lobos clear as day once, no binoculars needed--in fact, they were right where the little trail guide they sell for $1 said they'd be. How convenient! But I believe that was in February...

You're going to be in SF? How about sea lions all over the wharf area? You can also sea seals swimming around the area. As for the otters, drive down to Monterey and walk the path between the wharf and Pacific Grove.