Any place with "Point" in its name is a good bet, as are most of the coastal lighthouses.

The gray whales are back, hugging the California coast while they make their 10,000-mile journey from Alaska to breed in the warm-water lagoons of … During whale watching season in Southern California, which takes place along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego, you’ll find plenty of ways to see the migration. In … If you're out on the ocean, you can look for flat patches on the water, which indicate that the whale is about to surface. Check the California Whale Migration Season Calendar and schedule your cruise. Another whale species you might see in the off-season is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from April to June. Leffingwell Landing Trail, Moonstone Beach, and all along the gorgeous ocean bluffs are the perfect places to watch whales and wildlife. If you're traveling to southern California and are a fan of the open ocean and marine life, you can spend the day whale watching in Los Angeles and Orange County either on the coast or on a cruise of the Pacific Ocean. Check for local whale spotting reports before scheduling a whale watching trip in the spring. Whether you're out on the ocean or along the coast, being able to identify what a whale looks like from afar will go a long way in getting to experience seeing a whale in person. The California Gray Whale migration south occurs in late December through February and migration north… Alternatively, you can often catch a glimpse of whales right off the coast along the Pacific Coast Highway; either way, the ocean-enthusiast in your family is sure to enjoy a diversion to see these huge aquatic animals in person. Gray whales get to be about 52 feet long and are a splotchy gray and white due to parasites that attach to them in the warm water and fall off again when they head north. Each whale species has their own season. “Gray whales have the longest migration of … There have also been rare glimpses of pygmy sperm, pilot, killer, false killer, Cuvier's beaked, and Stejnegers beaked whales in the San Pedro Channel off the SoCal coast. Many species of whales can be seen off the coast of California year-round, but especially during the winter and summer migratory seasons. Of the other whales that may appear off the coast of southern California, fin whales are the most likely to appear year-round.

The easiest way to identify these magnificent creatures is by looking out for a spout of mist that whales produce when they come up for air—which is usually visible from a good distance and is likely to be the first sign of a whale. California's coast is a great place to observe this massive migration. Gray whales travel south each winter from Alaska and pass along the California coast on their way to the warmer waters around Baja, Mexico. These whales are particularly acrobatic, so you might see them splashing about on the surface of the ocean in addition to coming up for air. Remember to dress in layers, and dress warmly. In winter, dress like you're heading to the snow. Gray whales, the most prevalent of the species cleaving our waters, migrate 6,000 miles south every October from their feeding grounds in the Bering Strait to mate and calve in the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico. Whales are present year round. In between whale migrations, the whale watching excursions become dolphin and sea life tours, since half-a-dozen dolphin varieties, as well as sea lions and seals, can usually be found in our waters all year long. Even when it's really hot at the beach, it's cool out past the breakwater. When to Watch Whales in California: What You'll See Might Surprise You, How to Watch Whales From Dana Point and Newport Beach, How to Go Whale Watching in Baja California Sur, Mexico, 6 Great Destinations to Go Whale Watching, How to Watch Whales in Long Beach, San Pedro and Los Angeles, Why Monterey and Santa Cruz Are the World's Best Place to Watch Whales, A Complete Guide to Whale Watching in Virginia Beach, The 12 Best Destinations on California's Central Coast, 12 Top Things to Do in Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove, The Best Places to Spot Humpbacked Whales in Hawaii, Get Out on the Water With Los Angeles Boat Tours & Cruises, Santa Barbara Guide: Trip Planning Basics For The American Riviera, Everything You Need to Know about Whale Watching in Vancouver. Chase Dekker Wild-Life Images / Getty Images, Off-Season and Year-Round Whale Sightings. The gray whale migration can usually be viewed in Southern California from late November into April, Roame said. The season itself runs from mid-December through April with migrating Gray Whales being the most common species. Regardless of the season, it is cold out on the water. The blue whale is the largest mammal that ever lived, bigger than any dinosaur remains that have ever been found. According to CBS Los Angeles, winter and summer have become the preferred seasons for sightings and whale activity off the coast of southern California, as most species are prone to migrating south from Alaska to Baja, California, where they can mate, give birth, and …