Who says you have to travel to Hawaii to take in the breathtaking images of whales making their annual trek across the Pacific?
From mid-December through mid-March the massive mammals pass the California coast giving visitors and residents there a chance to watch the majestic animals performing their trademark moves. Puffs of wet air rise dozens of feet in the air from the behemoths’ blowholes. That move is usually followed by breaching—-basically when a whale launches its body out of the water and returns to the sea with a dramatic bellyflop. You might also see “fluking,” when the whale’s tail rises from the water in preparation for a dive.
Whale watchers are a loyal bunch and they make no bones about staking out selected viewing spots on a daily basis. One of the best places in California (on land) to view the parade of whales is at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center near Los Angeles. The wind-swept Palos Verdes Peninsula is home to a small natural history museum and indoor/outdoor viewing platforms are located next to the landmark Point Vicente Lighthouse.
Another option is to sign up for a whale-watching cruise, which allows you to get up close and personal with the whales, as well as with playful harbor seals and dozens of friendly dolphins. If you are staying in Los Angeles consider heading over to Marina Del Rey Sportfishing, which offers twice-daily three-hour outings for $20 per adult. In Orange County, Davey’s Locker offers excursions from Newport Beach’s Balboa Pavilion for $25 per adult with advance reservations. Davey’s Cruises run about 2.5 hours. They are offered twice daily (three times on weekends).
Just north of Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park is home to cruise companies that offer some of the best whale-watching trips in the state. Boats depart from Channel Islands Harbor and Ventura Harbor. The three-hour tours are offered each day and cost $27 for adults, and advance reservations are required.
Related Articles:
Say “Aloha” To Whales in Hawaii this Winter
East Coast Whale Watching Adventures