The Best Places for California Whale Watching

California Whale Watching

The Best Headlands, Lighthouses and Parks for California Whale Watching

Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument

California whale watching is a popular activity anywhere along the coast, but there are a few outstanding places where you can get a closer unobstructed view. And many places have special programs during peak whale watching season, which lasts from December through May.

The best way to look for whales is to look for the spout, which may be anywhere from 8 feet to 30 feet high, depending on the species of whale.

Once you locate a whale, you can get a closer look with binoculars. But remember that the whales are moving, so aim your binoculars in the direction the whale is traveling.

Photo: Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego

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North Coast
California Whale Watching

Patrick's Point State Park

The high bluffs at this beach offers a good vantage point for watching whales. You'll find hiking trails, often with spectacular views, camping and a visitor center.

See Patrick's Point SP for details.

Fort Bragg & Mendocino

There are several good places for whale watching in the Fort Bragg and Mendocino area. Try MacKerricher State Park or Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Both Mendocino and Fort Bragg hold annual Whale Watching Festivals in March.

Point Arena Lighthouse

Point Arena juts out into the Pacific for two miles, offering an excellent vantage point for California whale watching. You can even stay at the lighthouse in one of the 4 keeper homes.

See Point Arena Lighthouse for details.

Sonoma Coast State Beach

You'll actually find a series of beaches here. The best one for California whale watching is Bodega Head, the rocky headland at the mouth of Bodega Harbor. The high cliffs will give you an excellent view.

See Sonoma Coast State Beach for details.

San Francisco Bay Area
California Whale Watching

Point Reyes National Seashore

The headlands of the Point Reyes Peninsula jut out 10 miles into the Pacific, making this a great vantage point for watching whales. The Lighthouse and Chimney Rock are the best spots.

Peak whale watching periods are mid January for the northern migration and mid March for the southern migration, but mothers and calves will most likely be close to shore in late April and early May.

The park operates a shuttle from the parking lot at Drakes Beach to the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock to ease traffic congestion during peak periods.

See Point Reyes NS for details.

Muir Beach Overlook

On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Farallon Islands. There are picnic facilities and an outhouse at this location.

See Muir Beach Overlook for details.

Point Bonita Lighthouse

The Point Bonita Lighthouse, located in the Marin Headlands, offers incredible views for California whale watching. Take a look at the view with these panoramas of Point Bonita Lighthouse.

See Point Bonita Lighthouse for details.

You can download an excellent map of the Marin Headlands from Maps of the GGNRA.

Pigeon Point State Historic Park

The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, located between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, is closed for repairs. But you'll still get a great view from the high cliffs here. Gray whale cows and their calves can be seen in the protected cove during the spring migration. If you're lucky, you won't even need binoculars.

You can even stay at the hostel located in the park. You'll find an informative park brochure you can download at Pigeon Point State Historic Park.

Central Coast
California Whale Watching

The Monterey Bay area (including Big Sur) is an excellent choice for California whale watching. A deep submarine canyon off the coast here provides nutrient rich waters that attracts many species of whales. In fact, whale watching is pretty much a year round activity in this area.

Monterey's Whalefest is held annually in February.

Point Lobos State Reserve

The Reserve is teeming with life, including whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, birds and other wildlife. With hiking trails all along the shoreline, you can explore the numerous coves as well.

See Point Lobos State Reserve for details.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

One of many beautiful spots in Big Sur. You'll find a bench at the end of Overlook trail that provides a good vantage point for whale watching. Sometimes whales will even come into the mouth of the cove. You may also see harbor seals, California sea lions and sea otters.

See Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for details.

You'll also find numerous whale watching opportunities from overlooks along Highway 1.

San Simeon State Park

You'll find coastal bluffs and promontories with an unobstructed view at this park. Try the vista point at Moonstone Beach in the southern portion of the park. The park features wetlands, nature preserves, and tidepools, so you'll have the opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife.

There are trails, campgrounds, and interpretive programs. See San Simeon SP for details.

South Coast
California Whale Watching

Cabrillo National Monument

Whale migration peaks here in mid January, but you'll be able to see whales from mid-December through March. You'll find the best views from the Whale Overlook and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

Bring your own binoculars, though the visitor center has a limited number available. A movie about the Pacific Gray Whale is shown daily during the whale watch season.

See Cabrillo National Monument for details.

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