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Whale Watching TourThe Best Places to Find a Whale Watching Tour in California
If you're looking for a whale watching tour, California is the place to be. You can see the mass migration of gray whales, the enormous blue whales and the acrobatic humpback whales. Gray whales can be seen along the entire length of the California coast. But if you want to see blue whales or humpback whales you'll find them in the waters off the Central Coast - from Point Reyes to the Santa Barbara Channel. You'll find a variety of cruises available, including small sailing yachts, catamarans, large sturdy vessels to large luxury yachts. Whale watching cruises can run for 2 or 3 hours or all day. You can even take a multi-day cruise to the gray whale's breeding grounds in Baja California.
Northern California
You'll find several whale watching cruises operating out of Fort Bragg and Bodega Bay. These companies offer whale watching, sportsfishing and sunset cruises. Whale watching cruises are available here during the gray whale migration from the end of December through April.
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California's Central Coast
Whale Watching Tour
The Central Coast is arguably the best place to go whale watching in California. The nutrient rich waters off the Monterey coast and along the Santa Barbara Channel offer whales and other sea mammals a four star dining experience. You'll find gray whales, blue whales and humpback whales, along with other species. In all there are over 26 different species of marine mammals and a host of other sea creatures in the area. And this is where you'll find the endearing California sea otter.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary provide a protected environment for these creatures.
You can board a whale watching cruise at Moss Landing, Monterey, Morro Bay or Santa Barbara.
For a trip to the Channel Islands, you'll leave from Santa Barbara, Ventura or Oxnard.
Southern California
Whale Watching Tour
In Southern California, whale watching tours follow the migration of the gray whale and are scheduled from mid December through March. However, there are sightseeing cruises available year round, just don't expect to see whales during the summer and fall. In Los Angeles County, look for whale watching cruises at
- Marina del Rey
- Redondo Beach
- San Pedro Bay (Port of Los Angeles)
- Long Beach
In Orange County, you'll find whale watching cruises at Newport Beach and Dana Point
In San Diego there are several whale watching cruises at San Diego Harbor.
More California Whale Watching Information
Whale Watching California StyleBest Places for California Whale Watching
Whale Watching Festivals
Humpback Whale Pictures
More Humpback Whale Pictures
Gray Whale Pictures
More Gray Whale Pictures
Blue Whale Pictures
More Blue Whale Pictures
Photo: gray whale spy-hopping by David Withrow, National Marine Mammal Laboratory.
