Point Reyes National Seashore

Mid-January is peak viewing season here, and the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse, on the tip of a rugged peninsula that juts 10 miles out into the Pacific Ocean, is one of our favorite spots to watch the whales go by. The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary provides a 20-mile wide, nutrient-rich corridor for the whales to migrate, and the areas around Chimney Rock and the historic Point Reyes lighthouse offer some of the best whale watching spots in the region. But all this means you won't be alone. While you're there, take our guide to where to stay, eat, hike and more in the Point Reyes National Seashore. // nps.gov

Whalefest Monterey

Monterey—the officially trademarked Whale Watching Capital of the World—hosts the biggest annual event of whale-watching season.

Whalefest (March 19-20, 2022) promises guided tours (weather permitting) as well as a whole Moby Dick's belly-full of activities including a two-day symposium with presenters from NOAA, Stanford, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium; a 43-foot inflatable whale whose internal organs you may mingle with from the inside; and other entertainment in the form of live music, abalone races, and scrimshaw-making. While you're there, take our guide for where to eat, stay, and play on the Monterey Peninsula.

// For more information, go to montereywharf.com.

Salt Point State Park

Salt Point is one of the Sonoma coast's most scenic destinations, with a network of walking trails running parallel to the Pacific Ocean and panoramic views that promise ample whale-watching opportunities. Check out the three-mile roundtrip Salt Point Trail for coastal views. Starting in April, campsites fill up quickly and are available by reservation only (800-444-PARK). For a more fashionable stay, we recommend renting one of the gorgeous, modern vacation homes in nearby Sea Ranch. Take our guide to where to stay, eat, and hang out in the area. // parks.ca.gov

Fort Ross

Eleven miles north of Jenner on Highway 1, located on a wave-cut marine terrace between the ocean to the southwest and the coastal hills to the northeast, Fort Ross State Historic Park offers about 3,400 acres of spectacular wild land. Walk to Sandy Cove, a protected beach just below the fort, for beach combing and whale watching. Ocean access is available at the North Cove at Windermere Point, one mile north of the park entrance, and at the marine terrace by way of the Reef Campground entrance two miles south of the fort. Note that while the grounds are open daily year-round, facilities including parking and restrooms close for the season on March 15th. // parks.ca.gov

Bodega Head

The Ocean Overlook (about three miles from the visitors center on Highway 1) at Bodega Head State Marine Conservation Area is a primo spot for whale watching, and there are various boating trips offered in the area. Stewards of the Coast volunteers are on site every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm, January through May, weather permitting, except on Easter and during the Fisherman's Festival. // parks.ca.gov

Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the historic Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel, established as a fog signal station in 1875, is an ideal home base for anyone looking to make an entire weekend of it. Guests can watch the majestic animals spout, sound, spy-hop, and breach from the boardwalk behind the building. Reservations are highly recommended during the season, especially for weekend stays. // hiusa.org

​Año Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo is best known for the 10,000 or so elephant seals who return here each year to breed, give birth, and molt among the scenic dunes and beaches. Whale watchers can hike out along ocean bluffs to Año Nuevo Point. The area is also on a major migratory route for birds, and is a great spot to see otters, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions on the offshore rocks. // parks.ca.gov

Facts About Gray Whales

• Gray whales reach up to about 45 feet in length and about 75,000 pounds.

• The tongue of a gray whale weighs around 500 pounds.

• The whales have a heightened sense of sense of hearing, as sound travels four times faster in water than in air.

• Gray whales travel about 80 miles per day, stopping six or seven times daily for 30-minute rests.

• Whales spouts shoot up to 12 feet from water level.

• Since gray whales became protected in California in 1946, their population has rebounded from about 2,000 to over 21,000.

• In 1994, gray whales were removed from the Endangered Species List.