The gray whale migration is from Alaska to their breeding lagoons in Baja Mexico each winter. They then journey home along the Pacific Coast every spring.
On their return home to Alaska, whale mothers travel closer to shore with their babies. Those babies are about 15 feet long at birth, and weigh about 2,000 pounds. They’re known as being friendly and curious about boats and humans, although those moms are constantly on the lookout for predators.
Lots of people begin to scan the Pacific Ocean in the winter and early spring months for the gray whale migration. We’ll take a look at some of the best places to see them, plus other tips for spotting gray whales.
The Best Time to See the Pacific Gray Whale Migration
The Pacific gray whale migration happens each December through April, with certain periods during those months when you’re most likely to spot them.
Southward Migration
In December and January, you may see gray whales as they close out their journey from Alaska to Baja California. Thousands of these whales undertake the longest migration of any mammal, swimming about 5,000 miles each way – sometimes farther – at a pace of about 75 miles a day. They’re headed to the warm lagoons of Baja so pregnant females can calve and other whales can mate.
Northward Migration
From the beginning of February through April, whales will head back north to Alaska. You may get some overlap in January and early February, with some whales still heading south while the early starters have begun swimming north again.
Mothers with new calves will leave the latest to give their babies the most time to grow before they begin their journey. Many whale watchers advise that March and April are the best times to view the migration because mothers and babies travel closer to shore to protect the young from predators like great white sharks. These pairs also move slower because of the younger whales, giving viewers a better chance at a glance.
Best Viewing Times
The best time of day to see the migration is in the morning when the ocean is usually calmer. If you’re facing west looking out over the ocean, the sun is also behind you at that point and you can see more clearly.
Places to Visit in California to See the Gray Whale Migration
There are places along the entire California coast where you can camp and try to catch the gray whale migration. From Northern California to Southern, here are some of the best places to set up camp.
Laguna Point
Laguna Point (not to be confused with Laguna Beach) is in northern California, near Fort Bragg. It’s in MacKerricher State Park. A boardwalk next to the parking lot takes you over the wetlands to a lookout spot that’s perfect for taking pictures. You can also walk along the beach at the point.
Along with whale watching, you can look for harbor seals, explore tide pools, and watch for birds among the wetlands.
RVing Nearby
There is RV camping at MacKerricher State Park. The West Pinewood and Surfwood Campgrounds do not have hookups, and allows rigs up to 35 feet long.
There are also campgrounds in Fort Bragg, three miles away. Woodside RV Park and Campground has full hookups, showers, and walking and bike paths to the beach. Pomo RV Park and Campground has full hookups, showers, and is pet-friendly.
Camping Nearby
Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground has both RV and tent sites for campers. It’s ten miles from MacKerricher State Park, and has its own beautiful beach with great surfing. Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is near Jug Handle State Preserve and has tent camping, along with one RV site that has electric hookups.
Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore, in Marin County, is about three hours south of Fort Bragg, just north of the Bay Area. Along with whale watching along the coast, you can explore the seashore and swim. Point Reyes also has a lighthouse with a visitor center where you can learn more.
RVing Nearby
Campgrounds at Point Reyes National Seashore are all hike-in or boat-in, so there isn’t any RV camping available. You can find plenty of options in Petaluma, about 40 minutes away. The San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort has the amenities you’d expect in a KOA. You’ll find full hookups, patios, a pool and hot tub, a playground, and planned activities. Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay has RV sites with no hookups, but there is potable water available. Restrooms have flush toilets, and there are coin-operated showers. There is also a dump station available.
Camping Nearby
There are backcountry hike-in and boat-in sites available at Point Reyes National Seashore. You can also find nearby camping at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. The main campground allows tents and small trailers or RVs. There are restrooms, hot showers, and potable water.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a fun city to visit at any time of year, not just during whale watching season. You can enjoy the rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, investigate the Mystery Spot, or watch for monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park.
When you go to look for gray whales, head to West Cliff Drive, Wilder Ranch State Park, or Año Nuevo State Park. Año Nuevo is a fun destination, because even if you don’t see whales, you can watch the Northern elephant seals that gather year-round in the ocean and along the shore at the park.
RVing Nearby
You can decide to RV camp in the redwoods near Santa Cruz, or closer to the harbor and beach. Whichever you decide, you’ll be rewarded with the beautiful, unique views of the Central Coast region. The Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort has full hookups, showers, a clubhouse with pool and foosball tables, and a playground. The Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park is near the boardwalk, plus beaches, restaurants, and downtown Santa Cruz. The park has full hookups, and you’ll get beautiful views of the harbor. The Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort is in the midst of the trees, near Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. The resort has electric and water hookups, cable, a pool, showers, and laundry facilities.
Camping Nearby
There are several great spots for tent camping as well as RV camping. New Brighton State Beach is a beautiful spot near Capitola and Santa Cruz. You can go swimming at the beach, plus there is fishing and hiking. Manresa Uplands State Beach has tent camping from mid-May through October. You can go fishing or enjoy beach activities along with whale watching.
Monterey Bay
The areas of Monterey and Carmel are also beautiful whale watching spots. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a beautiful, unique spot to spend a day. It’s a popular place for photographers, painters, SCUBA divers, and sighteers wanting to see one of the most amazing spots along the California coast.
You can watch for whales from the bluffs, and there are pathways to several outlooks. You can also hike in the park, or take a guided walk with a docent who can share knowledge about the area. You can also explore tide pools and see the amazing sea life in the area.
Moss Landing is another good spot to watch for whales, and several tours operate out of this area.
Carmel is a beautiful seaside town just south of Monterey that’s another great place to look for whales off the coast. Whale watchers will set up at Carmel River State Beach in the hopes of catching a glimpse of these amazing mammals. If you’re headed here, you’ll want to bring binoculars to help you spot them better.
RVing Nearby
There are lots of great campgrounds in the Monterey Bay area – it’s a beautiful place to camp! The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday in Watsonville has all the amenities you’d expect from a KOA. There are full hookups, a pool and hot tub, a pet washing station, a playground, and much more. Marina Dunes RV Park is right on the sandy dunes next to the bay. You’re near Fort Ord Dunes State Park and Marina State Beach, and just a short distance from downtown Monterey with its renowned aquarium and the famous Cannery Row. The RV park has full hookups, a camp store, showers, laundry facilities, a playground, and is pet-friendly. Carmel By The River RV Resort is just south of Monterey in Carmel-By-The-Sea. The nearby river is perfect for fishing or swimming during the summer months. The campground has full hookups, showers, a rec room, and a small general store.
Camping Nearby
There’s plenty of camping near Monterey if you’re bringing along a tent and other camping gear. Sunset State Beach has a breathtaking campground surrounded by pines, with sweeping views of the Monterey Bay. There are no hookups, but the campground does have flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and a dump station that can be used for a $10 fee.
If you want more upscale camping, Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel has luxury tents with beds, outdoor seating, a firepit, and a grill. There are bathrooms and hot showers just a short walk away. There are hiking trails around Saddle Mountain, and it’s a short drive to Carmel and Monterey.
Big Sur
Big Sur is less than an hour from Monterey, and you could certainly set up camp in one location or the other and make a day trip. But if you want to spend more time exploring California’s amazing coast, Big Sur is a great place to stay for a few days. When driving around the Big Sur area, you’ll want to check the latest traffic maps and reports. Highway 1 can get washed out by mudslides, and there are often detours you’ll want to be aware of.
The trail to McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a popular spot for whale watching. Big Sur State Park staff also have whale watching gatherings from 10 am to 12 pm on weekends in January and February. You’ll meet at the Vista Point on Highway 1, one mile north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to get some staff help trying to spot the whales.
You can also take any of the Highway 1 turnouts and try to see whales from those vantage points. Since the moms and babies swim close to shore, you might get lucky and spot some!
Finally, the aptly named Soberanes Canyon and Whale Peak Loop is a nice hike, and you may see whales as you get ocean views along the way. The 4.1 mile loop provides great views of the ocean and coastline with observation decks along the way. There are also clear views of the kelp beds where the whales like to graze.
RVing Nearby
There are lots of campgrounds along Highway 1 in the Big Sur area that take advantage of the ocean and mountain views.
The Fernwood Resort in Big Sur is tucked among the redwoods along the Big Sur River. There are water and electric hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. There is a tavern with a bar and grill and a general store on-site. You’ll also be close to lots of hiking, several California state parks, and the Point Sur lighthouse.
Dana Point
Dana Point is known as the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World. There are lots of places to whale watch in this area south of Los Angeles. The Dana Point Headlands is a nice spot to try and glimpse some whales – you can often see them right from the patio at the Nature Center. There are also other elevated vantage points where you have panoramic views of the ocean. The Nature Center has free binoculars for guests to use as well.
The Dana Point Harbor Jetty is another good place to whale watch, and you may see whales pass close to the entrance to the harbor. Gray whales are believed to use the headlands as a navigation guide during their long migration.
You can see all kinds of marine life in Dana Point. Along with gray whales, look for humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals, and tide pool creatures like hermit crabs and sea stars.
RVing Nearby
There are lots of RV campgrounds in Orange County and near Dana Point. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina has full hookups, beachfront sites, showers, laundry facilities, and a pool and spa. There is also a water park in the little bay that is surrounded by the resort. Paradise by the Sea RV Resort has full hookups, back-in and pull-thru sites, a heated pool and hot tub, a clubhouse with a rec room, and a camp store.
Camping Nearby
Doheny State Beach is right in Dana Point, and has a campground just steps from the beach. Each campground has a fire ring and picnic table. The beach is a popular surfing spot, and you can walk along the shore looking for tide pools. Mission San Juan Capistrano is just a short drive away, and you can find shops and restaurants in downtown Dana Point.
Crystal Cove State Park is at the end of Newport Beach, near Dana Point. You can camp overlooking the ocean, surrounded by low scrub bushes and sand. During the day, explore tide pools, relax on the beach, and watch for whales off the coast. There are campsites both with and without hookups, and there are coin-operated showers.
There is also camping at San Mateo State Park, where you’ll have views of the bluffs above the ocean. There are miles of hiking trails throughout the park, and you can look for native plants and wildlife in the park.
San Diego
You may spot the gray whale migration in San Diego at any point from December through April. You’ll see whales at the end of their journey south, and at the beginning of their journey back north again in the spring. The best time to view the whale migration is in mid-January.
The Cabrillo National Monument is a prime viewing spot at the southern edge of the Point Loma Peninsula. Watch for whales swimming between the kelp beds and the horizon where the ocean meets the sky. The Kelp Forest Overlook and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse have overlooks for whale watching and the visitor center has free binoculars visitors can borrow.
You can also visit Ellen Browning Scripps Park to watch for whales, hike the beach trail at Torrey Pines State Reserve, or check out the Tide Pool Plaza at Birch Aquarium.
San Diego also has lots of other things to do. If you’re in town to go whale watching, you can also visit the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, or the Gaslamp Quarter for great restaurants and shopping.
RVing Nearby
There are lots of campgrounds in San Diego where you can stay in an RV while you explore. The San Diego RV Resort has full hookups, and outdoor pool and hot tub, a billiards and game room, and more. You also have easy access to the San Diego Trolley, which stops at a lot of popular San Diego spots. The Santa Fe Park RV Resort has full hookups, picnic tables, barbecues, a pool, and a lounge room. There are showers and laundry facilities, and the campground is pet friendly. Mission Bay RV Resort has full hookups, WiFi, and cable TV and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. There is a pool and hot tub, a clubhouse, and it’s close to a public beach.
Camping Nearby
You can tent and car camp in lots of San Diego locations as well. Campland on the Bay has both RV and tent camping on the shores of Mission Bay. San Elijo State Beach has camping on the bluffs overlooking the beach. You can tent camp, or some sites have RV hookups as well. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park has a campground with water and electric hookups. There are coin-operated showers for guests as well. The park has a splash pad, play areas, and fishing at Sweetwater Reservoir.
How to Identify a Gray Whale
When you’re watching the gray whale migration, it’s exciting to see any marine mammals out at sea. But how do you know if the creature you see swimming out there is actually a gray whale, another type of whale, or a dolphin or other aquatic animal? Here are a few things to watch for:
- Gray whales are medium-sized (for a whale!) and are about 35-45 feet long. They weigh about 30-40 tons. Females are larger than males.
- Gray whales are a mottled gray color, although they can range from almost black to almost white. They have white spots that can vary from the size of a marble to the size of a basketball. They often have barnacles, barnacle scars, and whale lice that can give them a bumpy appearance. That mottled coloring is one of the best ways to distinguish a gray whale from other, more solid-colored whales and dolphins.
- Gray whales do not have a dorsal fin. Instead, they have a dorsal hump, with between 6-12 bumps along their back behind the hump.
- You’ll likely see their spout first as they exhale. That spout can shoot from 6-10 feet in the air and is heart-shaped. Whales expel almost 100 gallons of air when they exhale.
Tips for Viewing Gray Whales
While we can’t guarantee that you’ll see a whale during the gray whale migration, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances. Here are some tips for viewing gray whales.
Go in the morning
The whales migrate continuously, at all hours of the day and night. But your best chances of viewing them are going to be in the morning, when the sun is at your back as you gaze west.
Look for flukes and spouts
Scan the horizon to the west, from left to right and back. Look for flukes (the whale tail), whale backs, and spouts which look like little puffs of smoke. Gray whales often lift their tails as they dive, and it will probably be a few minutes before it surfaces again. If you see puffs, keep watching to see if the whale surfaces again.
Look for boats
Sometimes the best way to spot a wild animal is to watch for other people watching the wild animals. If you see a boat, especially a stopped one, it’s possible the people on board have spotted a whale.
Don’t be fooled
Lots of people can mistake driftwood for whales floating in the ocean. Watch to make sure your “whale” is moving, going above and below the surface and continuing in one direction. If it seems to stay in one place, it’s likely a log.
Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens
For your best chance of seeing whales, bring along a pair of binoculars. Some of the viewing locations listed above have binoculars available at visitor centers. However, those are first-come, first-served and during the height of whale watching season it’s best to have your own.
If you want to try and photograph the whales, you’ll need a telephoto lens. Set your camera to continuous shooting mode so you can capture all the action as the whales appear.
Keep your binoculars and camera ready to go quickly, since whale appearances can be sudden and quick.
Get on a boat
You may have more luck taking a whale watching tour on a boat than trying to see gray whales from shore. Pretty much every location listed above has vendors that operate boat tours. They’ll know the best places to watch for whales in their area. Read reviews from previous customers so you can choose a tour that suits you and your group.
Watching for gray whales on their impressive, perilous journey may leave you in awe of these majestic creatures. On top of that, the best place to view these whales – the California coast – has some of the most amazing scenery in the United States. If you want even more ideas for your coastal adventure, check out our itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
