Can you see whales in California?

Asked by: Tim Door

California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000-mile journey between Alaska and Mexico—and then back again.

What is the best month for whale watching in California?

In Northern California, your best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay sometime between July and October.

When can I see whales in California?

The best time is during the annual migration of grey whales, from December to April, though whales visit these waters year round. Between May and October you might see blue whales, which can grow to be more than 30 metres long.

Can you see whales from the shore in California?

Southern California offers numerous spots where you can go whale watching from shore. You will not get as up close as a whale-watching, but you don’t need to worry about getting seasick. Bring along some binoculars for the best view, although you can view whales with the naked eye.

What is the best month for whale watching in Southern California?

The peak times for spotting whales offshore in Southern California is late November through mid May. During this time you can see them breaching and spouting not far from shore. The best places to see them from are viewpoints that are high on bluffs especially at points that stick out into the ocean.

Can you see orcas in California?

On the West Coast, however, there are a few locations in particular we recommend for the best chance to spot orca whales. These locations include Long Beach, Monterey Bay, and San Diego.

Can you see whales in San Francisco?

San Francisco is a great place to go whale watching. Just a few miles off the shore are cool waters that offer the perfect feeding ground for several varieties of whales including grays, blues, and humpbacks. Different whales migrate through this area at different times of the year.

Can you see whales in LA?

Almost 20,000 individual Gray Whales travel through Los Angeles waters during winter and spring. Los Angeles visitors also have the opportunity of seeing Finback Whales, Humpback Whales and Minke Whales with an assortment of dolphin species during the winter and spring months.

Where is the best place to see blue whales in California?

The only place to see them is in the wild. And Dana Point, California, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. During the summer months there are more blue whales off our coast than anywhere else in the world. Blue whale watching in Southern California is typically May through October.

When can you see whales in LA?

Here in Los Angeles, Blue Whale season is typically May through November. During this time, you can expect to see the beautiful creatures in their natural habitat as they breach the surface.

Can you see whales in Malibu?

In Malibu, whale watchers can sometimes spot whales from the comfort of their beach chairs on Westward Beach, Zuma Beach, and other shorelines between Zuma and Point Mugu. But arguably the best land view awaits on the cliffs of Point Dume, where locals and visitors can clearly look out over 180 degrees of the Pacific.

Can you see dolphins in California?

According to Roame, Southern California is one of the best places in the world to spot a megapod of dolphins, as they spend all year just off the coast of Newport Beach. Other marine life often seen in the area includes humpback whales, fin whales, gray whales, and blue whales.