If you’re planning a road trip to California, you’ll be faced with countless possibilities. It’s not every day you get to meet whales up close, so you may want to consider adding a cruise or hike to a whale watching spot.
Let’s discover the best times to go whale watching and find out about the guided tours or other ways to go whale watching in California.
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Best Time for Whale Watching in California
Thanks to the fact that there are multiple species that come at different times of the year, it is possible to observe whales near the Californian coast during most of the year.
San Francisco Area
- May to November: Humpback whales
- December to May: Gray whales, sperm whales and killer whales
- July to October: Blue whales
The only time in which whales are less likely to be observed is between mid-November and mid-December when there is a gap between when the humpback whale migration season ends and when the second group’s season begins.
If you visit San Francisco at this time of year and you still would like to go on a whale watching cruise, during the low season, many companies offer a second tour without extra charges (in case you don’t see specimens at the first opportunity). Please check to make sure that this is included in the policy of the tour.
Monterey Bay Area
This is known to be one of the best areas for whale watching in California. Monterey Bay, which stretches all the way to Santa Cruz, is home to large populations of plankton, squid and small crustaceans that the whales consume.
The whale watching season in Monterey Bay is one of the longest in the state since it lasts almost all year. Humpback whales and blue whales stay in this area from May to mid-December and remain even for days at the same area, which makes it convenient to see whales both cruises and from the mainland.
Los Angeles and Orange County Area
- May to November: Blue whales
- November to April: Grey whales
Keep in mind that the annual whale festival held at Dana Point generally takes place in March over the course of two weekends.
San Diego Area
The best time of year to see whales in San Diego is from mid-December until April. The most common species you will see will be grey whales.
Whale Watching Cruises in California
Here are some of the best whale watching cruises off the California coast organized according to the area from which they depart.
Whale Watching in San Francisco
- Grey Whale Watching Tour: 3.5-hour tour available only during the month of March.
- Whale watching tour at San Francisco’s Golden Gate: 2.5-hour tour active from April to October.
Whale Watching in Monterey
- Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-hour hike.
- Half-day Whale Watching Tour: This is a 4-hour tour and as a result, it is more complete than the previous one.
Whale Watching in Los Angeles and Orange County
- 2-Hour Whale Watching Cruise: Departs from Newport Beach.
- Whale Watching Excursion: 2-hour hike from Dana Point.
- Whale Watching Tour: 2-hour cruise departing from Oceanside.
Whale Watching in San Diego
- San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise: A tour that lasts between 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Whale Watching Cruise and Maritime Museum in San Diego: 4.5-hour tour on board a beautiful sailing boat.
Some Recommendations about the Cruises
Is it worth it to go on a whale watching cruise? Anyone who has taken part in such a tour and actually managed to spot whales would certainly answer yes to this question. But success is never guaranteed, even in the most propitious months.
So, since you’ll need to spend about half a day on the cruise, keep in mind these things before you book it:
- In case you can’t spot the whales, you can still enjoy cruising along California’s beautiful, rugged coastline.
- Dress appropriately according to the weather. It is colder out on the ocean than on the coast. Therefore, my advice is to dress in layers and still follow the tips of the tour operator.
- Wear sunglasses (on a sunny day, the reflection of the sun in the water can be a bit annoying in the long run), sunscreen (even if the weather is cloudy) and a raincoat (if it doesn’t rain, it can still be useful to protect yourself from splashing water).
- You don’t need binoculars. It is better to observe whales with the naked eye, especially because you will have to look around very often and the whales will disappear and reappear quickly, so using binoculars in most cases is more of a nuisance than anything else.
How to Watch Whales from the Mainland
If you don’t want to further undermine your budget, you may consider the cheaper option of trying to spot whales directly from the California coast. You probably won’t see much more than the whale’s spout in the distance, but it will still be an exciting experience. Here are the best viewpoints for whale watching.
Where to See Whales in San Francisco
Most whales do not pass very close to the coast, however, if you still want to try your luck, here are the best areas of San Francisco to watch whales from north to south.
- Point Reyes National Seashore: This is a very large area and, if you have little time, I invite you to go to the characteristic Point Reyes Lighthouse and to take a short trail to Chimney Rock. These are two of the best viewpoints in the area.
- Marin Headlands: This area has some of the most scenic cliffs in San Francisco. In particular, I suggest you visit Rodeo Beach and Point Bonita Lighthouse, which are worthwhile regardless of whether or not you are whale watching.
- Point Montara Lighthouse: In addition to being a very beautiful area, there is also a well-kept hostel, which is ideal if you want to spend a night here with the sound of ocean waves in the background.
- Pigeon Point Lighthouse: This is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the California coast as well as one of the tallest.
- Año Nuevo State Park: Although this area is renowned as an ideal place for spotting sea lions, many also recommend it for the opportunity to see whales spouting in the distance.
Where to See Whales in Monterey and Santa Cruz
Although Monterey Bay is very wide, the best spots for whale watching are:
- Moss Landing State Beach: It is located practically halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey and is a beautiful and wide beach with a view of the bay. It is also a great place to relax and take a break from your road trip.
- Lover’s Point: Pacific Grove’s observation point is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the bay.
- Point Lobos State Reserve. In particular, I recommend heading directly to the Pinnacle Point and South Point and walking along the scenic Cypress Grove Trail.
Where to See Whales in Los Angeles
- The stretch of coast from Point Fermin Lighthouse to Point Vicente Lighthouse is ideal for whale watching.
- Near Malibu, the best places for whale watching is Leo Carrillo State Park, especially in April and May when events are held entirely dedicated to whale watching, and Point Dume at Big Dume Beach, the characteristic crescent-shaped beach with its beautiful headlands and rocky coves.
Where to See Whales in San Diego
Here are some of the most suitable areas for whale watching:
- La Jolla Cove: In particular in Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: It would be worth coming here to admire the beautiful cliffs, as well as trying to spot some whales in the distance.
- Cabrillo National Monument: Especially the viewpoints of Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Whale Overlook (as the name suggests).
