In the U.S., there is no better state for whale watching than California. Each winter, an estimated 24,000 gray whales travel 6,000 miles from the chilly waters of Alaska to the balmy bays of Mexico for the mating season. Come spring, when the water warms, the whales travel back north with their newborn calves along the California coast.
The gray whales aren’t alone in their seasonal travels: Humpbacks, dolphins, blue whales, and orcas all make the coastal trip north and south each year. For whale watchers, this provides ample opportunity to spot them breaching and blowing from Mendocino to Dana Point — but each region is different.
Here's our guide for optimizing your whale watching experience in California by knowing the tips and tricks for being in the right place at the right time.
Southern California
For whales making the springtime return to Alaska, Southern California is the first port of call. Prime whale-watching spots include the Channel Islands, Dana Point, and La Jolla Cove. The latter is part of an ecological reserve and about a 10-minute drive from the historic Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which is open to the public for tours.
“I do not believe there is a best time of year to come out whale watching in Southern California," said Wesley Turner, a former marine science educator with Newport Landing Whale Watching in Newport Beach, California. She also pointed out that cruises are daily and that there are "different species of cetaceans that come into the area during certain times of the year.”
If you’re interested in gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions, Turner suggested coming down to Southern California any time between January and April. For blue whales and finback whales, try May through September. And for minke whales, come October through December.
“I always suggest going in the gray whale season,” said Turner. “Because there are so many whales coming by our harbor each day, the chances are excellent to see something.”
Central California
There may be no better place to spot whales in California than Monterey Bay on the Central Coast. Thanks to its uniquely cold and very deep submarine canyon (2.5 miles at its greatest depth), Monterey is a hotbed of whale and marine mammal activity. And because of the canyon’s location just offshore, getting on a boat to spot a whale isn’t a necessity.
Along the Pacific Coast Highway, lucky Big Sur-bound roadtrippers may see the whales from the clifftop roads. The high vantage point makes it ideal for spotting a pod swimming through, and there are multiple stop-off points, but spotting whales from the shore takes patience. Consider working in a long lunch at one of the seaside restaurants like the popular Sierra Mar with its indoor and outdoor dining areas perched right on the edge.
Northern California
Very rarely will a whale venture into the San Francisco Bay. Instead of waiting for the whales to swim under the Golden Gate Bridge, travel to the Gulf of the Farallones, a 3,295-square-mile marine sanctuary approximately 25 miles off the coast.
The area provides “breeding and feeding grounds for at least 25 endangered or threatened species,” as well as 36 marine mammal species, including blue, gray, and humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, elephant and harbor seals, and sea lions. It’s also home to “one of the most significant white shark populations on the planet,” so you’ll likely spot something amazing when you visit.
And for the more adventurous folks, the Outdoor Adventure Club offers guided whale-watching kayak tours out of Davenport Landing, located about 65 miles south of San Francisco. The Mendocino Coast is another great place to catch them if you go further north, particularly for hikers on the trails of Mendocino Headlands State Park.
In Northern California, the best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November. And for blue whales, plan your stay sometime between July and October.
What to Pack for Whale Watching
No matter where you go to visit one of nature’s most precious animals, Turner recommended being prepared for the elements. “We suggest passengers wear layers they can take off or put on to accommodate the temperature since it fluctuates during trips,” she said. “Guests should bring sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen. If anyone tends to get seasick, pill medications or motion patches are recommended.”
Beyond the right clothing, it’s also key to bring the right attitude. While most vessels' trips offer refunds if you don’t spot any whales, it’s still important to remember that these are wild animals so sightings can't be guaranteed.
