Majestic and mysterious, whales grace California’s coastline throughout the year. In Southern California, spring is prime time to witness grey and humpback whales, while summer ushers in blue and fin whales. If you’re looking for orcas, Monterey Bay is your go-to spot between April and May, while the Mendocino Coast offers occasional sightings if you’re lucky. Ready for some bucket list breaches? Read on for our roundup of the best places for whale watching in California…
San Diego
Starting strong, sunny San Diego is a standout spot for whale sightings. More than just a lively waterfront, the Embarcadero is your gateway to marine mammal magic as it’s often the starting point for exclusive boat trips. Minke and fin whales cruise through the city’s surrounding waters throughout the year, while summer brings blue whales splashing into view. For a fresh perspective, head to La Jolla Cove, where craggy cliffs wrap around powdery sands – an ideal location to see grey whales on their annual migration.
Image by Albert Debruijn/Fotolia
Dana Point
Dana Point is next up on our list of the best places for whale watching in California. Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles, it was named the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas in 2021. Planning your trip? Timing is everything. Visit from December to April for grey whales and playful dolphin pods, or between May and September to see blue whales – the largest animals on earth – migrating north to feed. Humpback, fin and minke whales are also regular visitors. Celebrate these sea creatures in style and align your visit with Dana Point’s annual Whale Festival in March, when the grey whale migration is in full swing.
Santa Barbara
Whale watching in Santa Barbara is a year-round affair. From November to April, catch a glimpse of migrating Pacific grey whales as over 20,000 of them pass through the Santa Barbara Channel. Spring brings the thrill of newborn calves during the breeding season (don’t forget your binoculars), while late spring to early autumn sees the waters come alive with humpback and blue whales. However, these gentle giants are rarely alone – expect to spot coastal bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and seals too. This bumper crop of marine life is thanks to its deep basin, ridges and seamounts; this distinctive geography earned the Santa Barbara Channel its status as a Whale Heritage Site in 2023.
Image by Brian Gudas/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Monterey Bay
With one of the largest underwater canyons on the West Coast (over 3,000m deep), Monterey Bay is a must-visit for whale watching in California. Part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, it’s a top-notch spot to see long-beaked dolphins darting through the waves and grey whales gliding by. From late February to May, grey whales migrate through Monterey between the Bering Sea’s feeding grounds and Baja California’s breeding waters. Skip the boat trip and stick to land – the bay’s nutrient-rich waters often bring whales close to the shore, with rare orca sightings between April and May.
Mendocino
Further up the coast, Mendocino is a top destination for shoreline whale watching. Stretch your legs on a walk to the historic Point Cabrillo Light Station – which overlooks Caspar Cove – and keep an eye out for migrating whales. But why stand when you can relax? Some lucky guests at the nearby Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa can spot whales from the comfort of their rooms. For panoramic ocean views, head to Jug Handle State Reserve – at 1,000ft above the Pacific, you’re likely to catch sight of whales spouting and breaching from the cliffs.
Image by Kate Berry
Written by Amy Larsen | Header image by Kevin - stock.adobe.com
