Harbor seal pupping season 2026
Summary
Over 52 seal pups have been born this season, drawing crowds, noise, and traffic to the coast; two temporary signs at Hopkins Beach were stolen but will be replaced. A seal previously entangled in a plastic hoop has safely given birth and shed the debris.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 18, 2026.
Impact analysis
City spent on fencing and signage; cost figure not stated.
Seals and other coastal wildlife benefit from signage and public education efforts.
Wildlife at Año Nuevo affected by avian flu and seal pups disturbed by construction noise.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Beautification and Natural Resources Commission — August 18, 2026
Pacific Grove's seal colony had a strong breeding season (63 pups, ~5% loss) but endured 850 human-caused disturbances. Commissioners discussed speed limit signs, double yellow lines and decibel readers for Ocean View Boulevard to cut noise near the rookeries.
Pacific Grove: Gray Whale Carcass Prompts Closure Of Lovers Point Beach
Pacific Grove: Gray Whale Carcass Prompts Closure Of Lovers Point Beach SFGATE
Beautification and Natural Resources Commission — April 21, 2026
Over 52 seal pups have been born this season, drawing crowds, noise, and traffic to the coast; two temporary signs at Hopkins Beach were stolen but will be replaced. A seal previously entangled in a plastic hoop has safely given birth and shed the debris.
Beautification and Natural Resources Commission — March 17, 2026
Avian flu has been detected in elephant seals, a sea otter and a sea lion at Año Nuevo, and three harbor seal pups were lost at Hopkins Beach — possibly from jackhammer noise. The city has put up fencing and quiet-zone signs and is monitoring the beach.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Pacific Grove
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.