Planning a trip to San Diego, California offers travelers a captivating place to indulge their interests of all kinds. Whether you’re someone who can’t wait to spend as much time as possible on the sand, you have a heart for upscale shopping or you’re excited to learn more about the area’s history, filling up an itinerary with activities to match is a breeze. San Diego’s location on the coast also makes it a prime place to enjoy whale watching in San Diego for those with a heart for wildlife. It’s hard to imagine anything more inspiring than taking time to observe these gentle giants of the Pacific Ocean for yourself and when you know where and when to go look for them, the experience is made that much better!
The Best Time to See Whales in San Diego
Much to the delight of travelers, there are, in fact, opportunities to view whales in the waters around San Diego all year long! That said, migration periods result in enhanced sighting options so when you want to up your chances of incredible sights, it’s good to keep these timeframes in mind. Those who head this way in the summer and fall will have the opportunity to spot blue whales in the waters around San Diego typically between mid-June and September. These are some of the largest creatures on the planet at around 100 feet long and spotting their breath and water plume upward of 30 feet in the air makes them easier to spot. They come to the waters around San Diego to feed on krill and in years past, groups of around 2,500 to 3,000 have been seen feeding in tandem off the coast.
Winter and spring travelers will want to keep their eyes peeled for gray whales between mid-December and April. This species comes through on their way from Alaska to Baja California where they feed and give birth to calves each year. Around 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline sits right on their migration path, making this destination ideal for seeing them come by. Gray whales are typically around 50 feet long and often swim at an average speed of 6 miles per hour.
Great Whale-Watching Spots in and Around Town
One of the best routes to relishing the sight of whales while you’re in San Diego is to book your place on a guided whale-watching tour while you’re here. However, there are also many places where you can observe them on your own. Destinations like Torrey Pines State Reserve, the Cabrillo National Monument, and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps are all well-known whale-watching locations to check out with hiking trails that overlook the Pacific.
Book Your Getaway Today
We hope you enjoyed our San Diego whale watching guide. When travel plans bring you to San Diego, Drift Vacation Homes has the vacation rental in San Diego you need to top off your experience in style. Reach out today to learn more!
