It is whale watching season in San Diego!
Each year from December through April, 20,000 gray whales pass through San Diego while on their 10,000 mile journey from chilly Alaska to temperate Baja, California. They migrate the same path every year in order for the mothers to give birth to their calves in a warmer climate. The families spend several months in the warmer waters of Baja, allowing their babies to grow and strengthen, before making the trek back up to Alaska later in the year.
San Diego has over 70 miles of coast land directly in the whales’ migration path, so there are plenty of places to view these amazing animals. Would you like to see these gentle giants? There are many places you can go to catch a glimpse of these beautiful creatures!
Viewing the whales from land
The best place to view the whales is from a higher location, which gives you the ability to see more of the water. Places like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, and Torrey Pines State Reserve (north of La Jolla) are all great locations.
Birch Aquarium 2300 Expedition WayLa Jolla, CA 92093-0207 Open 9-5 daily $14.00 for adults; $10.00 with student ID
858.534.FISH http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrSan Diego, CA 92106 Open 9-5 daily (whale films shown at 12 and 3 pm) $5.00 per car; $3.00 per walk-in guest 619.557.5450 http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines Road South
8 am to sunset
$10.00 per car
http://www.torreypine.org/
For great tips on visiting Torrey Pines, visit its page on SanDiego.org.
Viewing the whales from the sea
