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Where can I see whales in San Francisco?

3 min read

Asked by: Julie Grulke

The best places for San Francisco area whale watching from land are along the coast south of the city.



Point Montara Lighthouse

  • Point Montara Lighthouse.
  • Look for places to stop along Highway 1 just south of Pescadero.
  • Pigeon Point Lighthouse south of Half Moon Bay.

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.

When can you see whales near San Francisco?

The best time for whale watching in San Francisco is from December – May, as you’ll have the best opportunity to see more than one type of whale. That said, you can spot other species during different months, so you shouldn’t discount an opportunity just because it doesn’t fall within this time frame.

Are there whales in the SF Bay?

A humpback whale lunge feeding on anchovies in the San Francisco Bay in 2019. The water has since cooled off, but once they got into the habit, it stuck, he said. Whales were observed in the bay every season that followed, though they weren’t as common in , and are active so far this year.

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.

Can you see whales from the Golden Gate Bridge?

If you want to view whales without getting on a boat, then the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco may be the way to go. Several humpback whales were spotting enjoying the water under the bridge in one of California’s most iconic bays.

Are there orcas in SF Bay?

Higher whale populations and global warming mean more humpback whales are starting to hang out in the Bay. California’s coastline is the perfect spot to catch several whale migration seasons – gray whales from January through April, orcas between February and May, and humpbacks between April and December.

Does San Francisco Bay have sharks?

Sharks of San Franscisco Bay Area



Around 11 species of Sharks are found in the Bay itself – including Leopard Shark, Pacific Angel Shark, Brown Smoothhound, Broadnose Sevengill, Soupfin Shark. The Leopard Shark is the most common in the Bay. Small Spiny Dogfish are found swimming on the bottom of the Bay.

When can you see whales in Bodega Bay?

Giants Migrate Along the Sonoma Coast at Bodega Bay. The epic migration of whales peaks from January through May, but is visible during much of the year. Each year gray and blue whales travel south from the Chukchi Sea near Alaska and down to Baja California for winter, then back north for the summer feeding season.