San Diego Whale Watching

Whale watching has long been a favorite activity in Southern California, especially in San Diego. For almost 60 years, since 1955, locals and visitors alike have taken to the California waters to observe and understand these diverse mammals. Perhaps the fascination has to do with seeing enormous creatures whose size is dwarfed only by their seeming gentleness. Or perhaps we are thrill-seekers intrigued by the tales of “Jaws.” Whatever the reason, So Cal whale watching is high on the list of interesting things to do in the Golden State. Although there are many spots in San Diego you might want to explore, whale watching in Southern California can be done from a variety of locations. Take whale watching in Los Angeles, for instance. On a private tour, you’ll likely see the California Gray Whale, who calls these shores home. But on a chartered or commercial whale watching cruise, you may also see Fin Whales, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales and Mike Whales. Even Orcas – most commonly thought of as “killer whales” can occasionally be seen there. Los Angeles is only about an hour north of San Diego, and the drive along the Pacific Coast is well worth the trip. Watching whales in Long Beach is also popular. This destination is even closer than Los Angeles, maybe a half hour from San Diego depending on where you start. Most of these excursions depart near the port where the famous Queen Mary sits proudly in her slip. Some whale watching cruises in Long Beach offer special trips featuring Orcas, who you may be surprise to know, are not actually whales at all but rather the largest species of dolphins. Maybe that’s why many whale watching operations also offer dolphin cruises as part of their services.

Other cities in and around San Diego also offer a variety of whale watching cruises. Dana Point, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach are all popular spots to watch whales and dolphins. There are several things to consider when planning a whale watching outing in San Diego. Not all whale watching cruises or dolphin watching excursions are alike. Price is of course always a consideration, so make sure you do your homework before signing up to do any OC whale watching. You’ll also want to investigate 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 kinds of accommodations are on board. You may want to know if you can rent binoculars while on board, or how many restrooms are available, and what the age requirements for children are designated. Whale watching tours can range from 2 hours to all-day excursions, so make sure you plan ahead! San Diego whale watching is only one of the exciting activities you can enjoy in this region. Restaurants, movies, theaters, kids’ playgrounds, shopping and people-watching are just as popular as taking to the sea to see whales and dolphins. Just laying on the beach in San Diego is also a popular pastime.