The grey whale migration is from Alaska to their breeding lagoons in Baja Mexico every winter. They then journey residence alongside the Pacific Coast each spring.
On their return residence to Alaska, whale moms journey nearer to shore with their infants. These infants are about 15 toes lengthy at delivery, and weigh about 2,000 kilos. They’re often known as being pleasant and interested by boats and people, though these mothers are always looking out for predators.
Numerous individuals start to scan the Pacific Ocean within the winter and early spring months for the grey whale migration. We’ll check out a number of the finest locations to see them, plus different suggestions for recognizing grey whales.
The Greatest Time to See the Pacific Grey Whale Migration
The Pacific grey whale migration occurs every December by way of April, with sure intervals throughout these months if you’re almost definitely to identify them.
Southward Migration
In December and January, you may even see grey whales as they shut out their journey from Alaska to Baja California. Hundreds of those whales undertake the longest migration of any mammal, swimming about 5,000 miles every manner – typically farther – at a tempo of about 75 miles a day. They’re headed to the nice and cozy lagoons of Baja so pregnant females can calve and different whales can mate.
Northward Migration
From the start of February by way of April, whales will head again north to Alaska. It’s possible you’ll get some overlap in January and early February, with some whales nonetheless heading south whereas the early starters have begun swimming north once more.
Moms with new calves will depart the newest to offer their infants probably the most time to develop earlier than they start their journey. Many whale watchers advise that March and April are the very best instances to view the migration as a result of moms and infants journey nearer to shore to guard the younger from predators like nice white sharks. These pairs additionally transfer slower due to the youthful whales, giving viewers a greater probability at a look.
Greatest Viewing Instances
The perfect time of day to see the migration is within the morning when the ocean is normally calmer. Should you’re going through west looking over the ocean, the solar can be behind you at that time and you may see extra clearly.
Locations to Go to in California to See the Grey Whale Migration
There are locations alongside all the California coast the place you possibly can camp and attempt to catch the grey whale migration. From Northern California to Southern, listed below are a number of the finest locations to arrange camp.
Laguna Level
Laguna Level (to not be confused with Laguna Seaside) is in northern California, close to Fort Bragg. It’s in MacKerricher State Park. A boardwalk subsequent to the car parking zone takes you over the wetlands to a lookout spot that’s excellent for taking photos. You may as well stroll alongside the seashore on the level.
Together with whale watching, you possibly can search for harbor seals, discover tide swimming pools, and look ahead to birds among the many wetlands.
RVing Close by
There may be RV tenting at MacKerricher State Park. The West Pinewood and Surfwood Campgrounds wouldn’t have hookups, and permits rigs as much as 35 toes lengthy.
There are additionally campgrounds in Fort Bragg, three miles away. Woodside RV Park and Campground has full hookups, showers, and strolling and bike paths to the seashore. Pomo RV Park and Campground has full hookups, showers, and is pet-friendly.
Tenting Close by
Caspar Seaside RV Park & Campground has each RV and tent websites for campers. It’s ten miles from MacKerricher State Park, and has its personal lovely seashore with nice browsing. Jug Deal with Creek Farm and Nature Middle is close to Jug Deal with State Protect and has tent tenting, together with one RV website that has electrical hookups.
Level Reyes
Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore, in Marin County, is about three hours south of Fort Bragg, simply north of the Bay Space. Together with whale watching alongside the coast, you possibly can discover the seashore and swim. Level Reyes additionally has a lighthouse with a customer middle the place you possibly can be taught extra.
RVing Close by
Campgrounds at Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore are all hike-in or boat-in, so there isn’t any RV tenting obtainable. Yow will discover loads of choices in Petaluma, about 40 minutes away. The San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort has the facilities you’d count on in a KOA. You’ll discover full hookups, patios, a pool and sizzling tub, a playground, and deliberate actions. Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay has RV websites with no hookups, however there may be potable water obtainable. Restrooms have flush bogs, and there are coin-operated showers. There may be additionally a dump station obtainable.
Tenting Close by
There are backcountry hike-in and boat-in websites obtainable at Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore. You may as well discover close by tenting at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. The principle campground permits tents and small trailers or RVs. There are restrooms, sizzling showers, and potable water.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a enjoyable metropolis to go to at any time of yr, not simply throughout whale watching season. You’ll be able to benefit from the rides on the Santa Cruz Seaside Boardwalk, examine the Thriller Spot, or look ahead to monarch butterflies at Pure Bridges State Park.
Once you go to search for grey whales, head to West Cliff Drive, Wilder Ranch State Park, or Año Nuevo State Park. Año Nuevo is a enjoyable vacation spot, as a result of even in the event you don’t see whales, you possibly can watch the Northern elephant seals that collect year-round within the ocean and alongside the shore on the park.
RVing Close by
You’ll be able to determine to RV camp within the redwoods close to Santa Cruz, or nearer to the harbor and seashore. Whichever you determine, you’ll be rewarded with the gorgeous, distinctive views of the Central Coast area. 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 close to the boardwalk, plus seashores, eating places, and downtown Santa Cruz. The park has full hookups, and also you’ll get lovely views of the harbor. The Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort is within the midst of the timber, close to Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. The resort has electrical and water hookups, cable, a pool, showers, and laundry amenities.
Tenting Close by
There are a number of nice spots for tent tenting in addition to RV tenting. New Brighton State Seaside is a phenomenal spot close to Capitola and Santa Cruz. You’ll be able to go swimming on the seashore, plus there may be fishing and climbing. Manresa Uplands State Seaside has tent tenting from mid-Might by way of October. You’ll be able to go fishing or take pleasure in seashore actions together with whale watching.
Monterey Bay
The areas of Monterey and Carmel are additionally lovely whale watching spots. Level Lobos State Pure Reserve is a phenomenal, distinctive spot to spend a day. It’s a preferred place for photographers, painters, SCUBA divers, and sighteers eager to see probably the most superb spots alongside the California coast.
You’ll be able to look ahead to whales from the bluffs, and there are pathways to a number of outlooks. You may as well hike within the park, or take a guided stroll with a docent who can share data concerning the space. You may as well discover tide swimming pools and see the superb sea life within the space.
Moss Touchdown is one other great place to look at for whales, and several other excursions function out of this space.
Carmel is a phenomenal seaside city simply south of Monterey that’s one other great spot to search for whales off the coast. Whale watchers will arrange at Carmel River State Seaside within the hopes of catching a glimpse of those superb mammals. Should you’re headed right here, you’ll need to deliver binoculars that can assist you spot them higher.
RVing Close by
There are many nice campgrounds within the Monterey Bay space – it’s a phenomenal place to camp! The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Vacation in Watsonville has all of the facilities you’d count on from a KOA. There are full hookups, a pool and sizzling tub, a pet washing station, a playground, and far more. Marina Dunes RV Park is true on the sandy dunes subsequent to the bay. You’re close to Fort Ord Dunes State Park and Marina State Seaside, and only a brief distance from downtown Monterey with its famend aquarium and the well-known Cannery Row. The RV park has full hookups, a camp retailer, showers, laundry amenities, a playground, and is pet-friendly. Carmel By The River RV Resort is simply south of Monterey in Carmel-By-The-Sea. The close by river is ideal for fishing or swimming through the summer season months. The campground has full hookups, showers, a rec room, and a small common retailer.
Tenting Close by
There’s loads of tenting close to Monterey in the event you’re bringing alongside a tent and different tenting gear. Sundown State Seaside has a wide ranging campground surrounded by pines, with sweeping views of the Monterey Bay. There aren’t any hookups, however the campground does have flush bogs, coin-operated showers, and a dump station that can be utilized for a $10 price.
In order for you extra upscale tenting, Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel has luxurious tents with beds, out of doors seating, a firepit, and a grill. There are loos and sizzling showers only a brief stroll away. There are climbing trails round Saddle Mountain, and it’s a brief drive to Carmel and Monterey.
Huge Sur
Huge Sur is lower than an hour from Monterey, and you possibly can definitely arrange camp in a single location or the opposite and make a day journey. However if you wish to spend extra time exploring California’s superb coast, Huge Sur is a superb place to remain for a couple of days. When driving across the Huge Sur space, you’ll need to test the newest visitors maps and experiences. Freeway 1 can get washed out by mudslides, and there are sometimes detours you’ll need to pay attention to.
The path to McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a well-liked spot for whale watching. Huge Sur State Park workers even have whale watching gatherings from 10 am to 12 pm on weekends in January and February. You’ll meet on the Vista Level on Freeway 1, one mile north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to get some workers assist making an attempt to identify the whales.
You may as well take any of the Freeway 1 turnouts and attempt to see whales from these vantage factors. Because the mothers and infants swim near shore, you would possibly get fortunate and spot some!
Lastly, the aptly named Soberanes Canyon and Whale Peak Loop is a pleasant hike, and you may even see whales as you get ocean views alongside the way in which. The 4.1 mile loop gives nice views of the ocean and shoreline with statement decks alongside the way in which. There are additionally clear views of the kelp beds the place the whales prefer to graze.
RVing Close by
There are many campgrounds alongside Freeway 1 within the Huge Sur space that make the most of the ocean and mountain views.
The Fernwood Resort in Huge Sur is tucked among the many redwoods alongside the Huge Sur River. There are water and electrical hookups, showers, and laundry amenities. There’s a tavern with a bar and grill and a common retailer on-site. You’ll even be near a number of climbing, a number of California state parks, and the Level Sur lighthouse.
Dana Level
Dana Level is named the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World. There are many locations to whale watch on this space south of Los Angeles. The Dana Level Headlands is a pleasant spot to attempt to glimpse some whales – you possibly can usually see them proper from the patio on the Nature Middle. There are additionally different elevated vantage factors the place you may have panoramic views of the ocean. The Nature Middle has free binoculars for friends to make use of as nicely.
The Dana Level Harbor Jetty is one other good place to whale watch, and you may even see whales cross near the doorway to the harbor. Grey whales are believed to make use of the headlands as a navigation information throughout their lengthy migration.
You’ll be able to see all types of marine life in Dana Level. Together with grey whales, search for humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals, and tide pool creatures like hermit crabs and sea stars.
RVing Close by
There are many RV campgrounds in Orange County and close to Dana Level. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina has full hookups, beachfront websites, showers, laundry amenities, and a pool and spa. There may be additionally a water park within the little bay that’s surrounded by the resort. Paradise by the Sea RV Resort has full hookups, back-in and pull-thru websites, a heated pool and sizzling tub, a clubhouse with a rec room, and a camp retailer.
Tenting Close by
Doheny State Seaside is true in Dana Level, and has a campground simply steps from the seashore. Every campground has a hearth ring and picnic desk. The seashore is a well-liked browsing spot, and you may stroll alongside the shore in search of tide swimming pools. Mission San Juan Capistrano is only a brief drive away, and you’ll find retailers and eating places in downtown Dana Level.
Crystal Cove State Park is on the finish of Newport Seaside, close to Dana Level. You’ll be able to camp overlooking the ocean, surrounded by low scrub bushes and sand. Throughout the day, discover tide swimming pools, calm down on the seashore, and look ahead to whales off the coast. There are campsites each with and with out hookups, and there are coin-operated showers.
There may be additionally tenting at San Mateo State Park, the place you’ll have views of the bluffs above the ocean. There are miles of climbing trails all through the park, and you may search for native crops and wildlife within the park.
San Diego
It’s possible you’ll spot the grey whale migration in San Diego at any level from December by way of April. You’ll see whales on the finish of their journey south, and firstly of their journey again north once more within the spring. The perfect time to view the whale migration is in mid-January.
The Cabrillo Nationwide Monument is a major viewing spot on the southern fringe of the Level Loma Peninsula. Look ahead to whales swimming between the kelp beds and the horizon the place the ocean meets the sky. The Kelp Forest Overlook and the Previous Level Loma Lighthouse have overlooks for whale watching and the customer middle has free binoculars guests can borrow.
You may as well go to Ellen Browning Scripps Park to look at for whales, hike the seashore path at Torrey Pines State Reserve, or take a look at the Tide Pool Plaza at Birch Aquarium.
San Diego additionally has a number of different issues to do. Should you’re on the town to go whale watching, it’s also possible to go to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, or the Gaslamp Quarter for excellent eating places and buying.
RVing Close by
There are many campgrounds in San Diego the place you possibly can keep in an RV when you discover. The San Diego RV Resort has full hookups, and out of doors pool and sizzling tub, a billiards and sport room, and extra. You even have quick access to the San Diego Trolley, which stops at a variety of widespread 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 amenities, and the campground is pet pleasant. Mission Bay RV Resort has full hookups, WiFi, and cable TV and might accommodate RVs as much as 45 toes lengthy. There’s a pool and sizzling tub, a clubhouse, and it’s near a public seashore.
Tenting Close by
You’ll be able to tent and automobile camp in a number of San Diego places as nicely. Campland on the Bay has each RV and tent tenting on the shores of Mission Bay. San Elijo State Seaside has tenting on the bluffs overlooking the seashore. You’ll be able to tent camp, or some websites have RV hookups as nicely. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park has a campground with water and electrical hookups. There are coin-operated showers for friends as nicely. The park has a splash pad, play areas, and fishing at Sweetwater Reservoir.
How you can Establish a Grey Whale
Once you’re watching the grey whale migration, it’s thrilling to see any marine mammals out at sea. However how are you aware if the creature you see swimming out there may be truly a grey whale, one other kind of whale, or a dolphin or different aquatic animal? Right here are some things to look at for:
- Grey whales are medium-sized (for a whale!) and are about 35-45 toes lengthy. They weigh about 30-40 tons. Females are bigger than males.
- Grey whales are a mottled grey colour, though they’ll vary from nearly black to nearly white. They’ve white spots that may differ from the dimensions of a marble to the dimensions of a basketball. They usually have barnacles, barnacle scars, and whale lice that can provide them a bumpy look. That mottled coloring is among the finest methods to tell apart a grey whale from different, extra solid-colored whales and dolphins.
- Grey whales wouldn’t have a dorsal fin. As an alternative, they’ve a dorsal hump, with between 6-12 bumps alongside their again behind the hump.
- You’ll seemingly see their spout first as they exhale. That spout can shoot from 6-10 toes within the air and is heart-shaped. Whales expel nearly 100 gallons of air after they exhale.
Suggestions for Viewing Grey Whales
Whereas we are able to’t assure that you simply’ll see a whale through the grey whale migration, there are some things you are able to do to extend your probabilities. Listed below are some suggestions for viewing grey whales.
Go within the morning
The whales migrate repeatedly, in any respect hours of the day and evening. However your finest possibilities of viewing them are going to be within the morning, when the solar is at your again as you gaze west.
Search for flukes and spouts
Scan the horizon to the west, from left to proper and again. Search for flukes (the whale tail), whale backs, and spouts which seem like little puffs of smoke. Grey whales usually carry their tails as they dive, and it’ll most likely be a couple of minutes earlier than it surfaces once more. Should you see puffs, maintain watching to see if the whale surfaces once more.
Search for boats
Typically one of the best ways to identify a wild animal is to look at for different individuals watching the wild animals. Should you see a ship, particularly a stopped one, it’s potential the individuals on board have noticed a whale.
Don’t be fooled
Numerous individuals can mistake driftwood for whales floating within the ocean. Watch to verify your “whale” is transferring, going above and beneath the floor and persevering with in a single route. If it appears to remain in a single place, it’s seemingly a log.
Deliver binoculars and a telephoto lens
To your finest probability of seeing whales, deliver alongside a pair of binoculars. Among the viewing places listed above have binoculars obtainable at customer facilities. Nonetheless, these are first-come, first-served and through the peak of whale watching season it’s finest to have your individual.
If you wish to attempt to {photograph} the whales, you’ll want a telephoto lens. Set your digicam to steady taking pictures mode so you possibly can seize all of the motion because the whales seem.
Maintain your binoculars and digicam able to go rapidly, since whale appearances could be sudden and fast.
Get on a ship
You could have extra luck taking a whale watching tour on a ship than making an attempt to see grey whales from shore. Just about each location listed above has distributors that function boat excursions. They’ll know the very best locations to look at for whales of their space. Learn opinions from earlier prospects so you possibly can select a tour that fits you and your group.
Looking forward to grey whales on their spectacular, perilous journey might depart you in awe of those majestic creatures. On prime of that, the very best place to view these whales – the California coast – has a number of the most superb surroundings in america. In order for you much more concepts to your coastal journey, take a look at our itinerary from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
