Los Angeles Whale Watching

Los Angeles is most famous for movie stars and all things Hollywood as well as her nightlife and amazing shopping, however locals and visitors have been coming to this part of Southern California for decades to enjoy its amazing natural beauty that can be seen most spectacularly in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and on the sandy shores that come to meet this beauty. Since the early 1950’s Southern California has been a destination to enjoy whale watching. Los Angeles has several harbors from which to depart and offers some of the best whale watching in the world. Most of the whale watching excursions are seasonal and coincide with the migration of the Grey Whale. These magnificent beasts travel along the Los Angeles coastline as they head south to their breeding grounds in Baja. During this migration thousands of Grey Whales make the journey, which allows for and abundance of viewing opportunities. The migration season lasts from late December through April and it is not uncommon to see six or more whales on a single whale watching expedition. Although Grey Whales are the most common species observed in California whale watching, other varieties include Fin Whales, Blue Whales that are frequently seen of the coast of Los Angeles. Humpback and Minke Whales are always a possibility and even the occasionally shy Orca will make an appearance. The summer months in Los Angeles bring a flood of Blue Whales, on a tour to see these enormous animals observers feel dwarfed by their sheer size.

Whales aren’t the only animals you might encounter on your trip, dolphins are also seen on excursions from Los Angeles. Large pods of dolphin species are frequently spotted on whale watching cruises. Common and Bottlenose dolphins are most common however; Risso’s Dolphin and Pacific White Sided dolphins are also regulars in the waters off the coast of Los Angeles. Dolphins are amazing creatures whose playful temperaments allow for a wonderful show, at times coming within arms reach of spectators. Sea Lions and their pups as well as seals and many marine birds are also familiar to the Southern California region and add to these So Cal whale watch outings. Most of these Los Angeles whale-watching trips depart from the port where the famous Queen Mary sits proudly in her slip. Whale watching in Los Angeles is exciting for people of all ages although there are several things to consider when planning a trip. Not all whale watching tours or dolphin watching cruises are alike. Price is always something to consider, so make sure you do your homework before scheduling a Los Angeles whale-watching trip. Other things to investigate are the size of the boat for your outing, how long the trip will be, what you can expect to see depending on the current migration pattern, and what kind of accommodations are on board. You man want to know if you can rent binoculars while on board, requirements for children and how many restrooms are available as well as how many passengers will be joining the trip. Whale watching tours can range from two hours to all-day excursions, so make sure you plan ahead. Whale watching cruises are only one of the exciting activities you can enjoy in this Southern California playground. Restaurants, movies, theatre, shopping and of course people-watching are just as popular and as fun as taking to the sea. You also might want to just lie on the beach and soak up the sun while listening to the waves crash on the shore. Whatever you choose to enjoy in Los Angeles don’t forget your camera to capture the memories to share with family and friends for years to come.