A Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego

By Katie Sagal

Due to its ideal location along the Pacific coast, San Diego is one of the premier spots for whale watching in the U.S. Travelers will be amazed at the variety of whales that swim majestically along their migratory patterns through the Pacific Ocean, passing San Diego on their long treks. In fact, roughly 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to Baja California each year! If you’re interested in going whale watching in San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out into the open ocean. Check out our guide to San Diego whale watching for important info and tips.

When is the best time to go on a Whale Watch?

Image of Animal, Mammal, Sea Life, Whale, Fish, Shark, There are two primary seasons for whale watching cruises in San Diego: summer/fall, and winter/spring. During the summer months (mid-June through September), you're more likely to see a greater variety of whales. You could see whales including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, and the largest animal on earth—the blue whale. During the winter whale watch season (mid-December through April), you'll mainly see the remarkable gray whales. Other animals frequently spotted on San Diego whale watches include a diverse array of dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. You could also see sea lions and several types of sea birds like herons, gulls, and pelicans. Essentially, if you have the freedom to decide what time of year your trip to San Diego will occur, you can arrange it around which kind of whale you’d like to see the most.

What to Bring on a Whale Watch?

While San Diego’s climate is renowned for being temperate, it’s still chilly out on the open ocean. Bring layers and prepare for unpredictable wind and weather. You’ll be out on the ocean during the day, so it’s also important to wear sunblock and protective eyewear/headwear. As mentioned, it can get breezy and the ocean reflects a tremendous amount of light. (Even on cloudy days.) You should also bring a camera or recording device, ideally a waterproof one. Newer smartphones are usually reliably good for these kinds of photo opportunities, too, if you don’t want to spring for a nice camera. One thing you won’t have to bring is snacks. Most whale watch companies offer their own onboard food and drink, and usually prohibit outside fare anyway.

Where Does the Whale Watch Go?

Image of Animal, Mammal, Sea Life, Whale, Depending on the time of year you’ve selected for your cruise, whale watching ships in San Diego can travel a varying distance away from the coast. During the beginning of the whale watching season (starting in December), gray whales migrating south to warmer waters will stay nearer to the coast. At that time of year, you may only need to sail a few miles offshore to reach their routes. However, later in the spring and into the summer, whales tend to stay further away from the coast so your captain may choose to take the ship about ten or more miles from shore. If you choose a summer whale watch, you may see more diverse marine life as well. Many whale enthusiasts also like to venture further up the coast towards Los Angeles in search of these amazing but elusive creatures. If you choose a whale-watching cruise that departs from Newport Beach, you’ll sail out to one of the largest protected marine parks in the region, located just outside Newport Bay.

Whale Watching San Diego Tips

  • Research your whale watching company wisely.

Some companies are more of a commercial venture, while others employ real marine biologists from respected institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum. Certain companies also fail to practice eco-friendly and sustainable behavior toward whales. Therefore, it’s important to choose an ethical whale watch.

  • Be patient.

It often takes quite some time for whales to surface around human vessels. Be prepared to sit offshore for a while before sighting any of these gentle giants. This behavior is often the reason whale watch cruises usually last between 3 to 4 hours.

  • Appreciate the other creatures.

Whales aren’t the only marine life you’ll come across on your nautical adventures. Keep a careful eye out for cavorting dolphins, swooping birds, and glistening sunfish. They’re just as much fun to see as the star attraction, and are usually more plentiful.

  • You can also see some whales from land.

While it’s hard to beat the appeal of being out on the open ocean so close to these impressive creatures, you can also see gray whale migration from places just on the Pacific, like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or Torrey Pines State Reserve.

  • Whale watching is a great family activity.

Kids of all ages will love the chance to catch glimpses of marine mammals several hundred times their size. Just remember to pack things to keep them occupied during the time you’ll be waiting for the whales to breach—even if you think the novelty of being on a boat will be sufficient entertainment.

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Crystal Pier on Pacific Beach, San Diego
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Things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego

Sandwiched between La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach to the south, Pacific Beach – or P.B. as it's known to locals – is a sun-drenched slice of Californian paradise. Alongside a beautiful sandy beach and fairly calm waters, it boasts some of the best nightlife in the area, with a high density of lively bars and restaurants frequented by the local student‘n’surfer crowd. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego. Beach Party Atmosphere Central Pacific Beach’s party vibe is the stuff of legend. During the day, the sunkissed blonde sands are alive with kitesurfers, kids playing volleyball and everything else in between. Firepits glow red in the twilight of balmy summer evenings as revelers soak up the gentle sea breezes and prepare for an evening in the hip bars and restaurants around the broad, palm-lined Garnet and Grand avenues. Mosey along to the SD Taproom on Garnet to sample a selection of San Diego’s legendary craft beers, from hoppy pale ales to rich chocolate stouts. A bar menu that includes pizza, burgers and giant pretzels will help soak up all that lovely beer. Or hit the Pacific Beach Fish Shop for ocean-fresh tacos brimming over with the grilled fish or crustacean of your choice, plus crab cakes, clam chowder and more. The three-mile oceanfront boardwalk stretches all the way south to Mission Beach and Mission Bay, and bustles with cyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and shoppers. Hire a bike to explore this scenic stretch of the California coast, and make a day of it by taking a picnic and meandering south around Mission Bay’s winding shoreline. Or head north into the bluffs of La Jolla, with their spectacular sea views. Fishermen angle for bass and halibut off Crystal Pier, jockeying for position with selfie-takers. Tread its boards as the sun sets, turning the sky several remarkable shades of orange, pink and purple, for some of the finest photo opportunities in the area. You needn’t stray too far from the main drag to find a relatively quiet stretch of beach, either: the calm waters and broad sands just north of the pier are a little less lively and especially popular with families as a result. Like Central P.B., North Pacific Beach has designated swimming and surfing areas, and a reassuring lifeguard presence. Surf’s up! Grab your board and make for Tourmaline Surfing Park. This cute cove where P.B. meets La Jolla is surrounded by cliffs and accessed down a steep, palm-lined road through Tourmaline Canyon. The slow-rolling waves make this beach popular with novice surfers, as well as windsurfers and kiteboarders when the wind is up. Park Life A big favorite with in-the-know locals, Kate Sessions Park is 79 acres of gorgeous greenery set on the verdant slopes of Mount Soledad. Pack a picnic and throw down your blanket on the grassy lawns for fresh sea air, balmy breezes and some absolutely cracking views of Mission Bay, P.B. and San Diego’s famous urban skyline. On clear days you might even glimpse the Coronado Bridge curving across the shimmering blue ocean. There’s a playground as well as plenty of wild trails for walking and biking. As dusk descends, fire up one of the barbecues for a sunset cookout and enjoy that magical moment when the lights come on in downtown San Diego’s distant skyscrapers. Lying east of the Pacific Beach neighborhood on the other side of Interstate 5, Tecolote Canyon National Park makes for a great day out thanks to its unchallenging walking trails and nature center with information on the canyon’s diverse flora and fauna, including a rainbow of butterflies and wildflowers and the occasional snake. Take the 10-kilometer Tecolote Canyon Trail, which weaves its fairly flat way through the narrow valley, and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic birds that give the canyon its name (tecolote is the Spanish word for owl). A shorter trail through the Native Plant Garden is ideal for families. Plants are numbered along the trail, and you can learn the names of each both in English and Kumeyaay, the language of San Diego’s original Native American settlers. Top Nearby Attractions North of Pacific Beach, picture-perfect La Jolla boasts wild, pine-scented hills and valleys and a long stretch of alternatingly rocky and sandy coastline that make it great for surfing, swimming, sunbathing and... seal-spotting. A number of colonies of harbor seals call this sunny spot in California their home. Head on up to Children’s Beach, where you’ll find dozens frolicking playfully in the surf and basking on the warm sand. Originally intended as a safe place for kids to swim following the installation of a concrete breakwater in the 1930s, it’s now one of the best seal-spotting destinations on the coast, with the colony estimated to be over 200 strong. And, if the cute seals have whetted your appetite for marine life, you’re in for an absolute treat at SeaWorld San Diego, just a short distance south of Pacific Beach in Mission Bay. Here’s where you’ll find orca whales and other giants of the deep including beautiful loggerhead turtles, other-worldly Japanese spider crabs and the elusive giant Pacific Octopus, a master of disguise. There are 19 enormous aquariums to explore here, plus stacks of high-octane thrill rides to keep everyone entertained. You’ll find gentler, more old-fashioned fun at nearby Belmont Park on Mission Beach, where the wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster is a century-old National Historic landmark. Other fun amusement rides in this nostalgia-fueled beachfront theme park include bumper cars, mini golf and a traditional painted carousel. Save on things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Mission Beach, San Diego
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Things to do in Mission Beach San Diego

San Diego’s Mission Beach is the laidback California lifestyle writ large, all golden sands, buzzing boardwalks, and tanned kids playing beach volleyball in the warm sunshine. Add to this some of the most amazing theme parks in the region and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic day out. Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Mission Beach San Diego. Hit the Beach Close your eyes and picture sun-kissed Californian sands and chances are you’ll conjure up a pretty accurate image of San Diego’s Mission Beach. The neighborhood’s mile-long stretch of perfectly powdery sand offers any number of ways to while away a day or six. Of course, you may choose to simply recline on a lounger with a paperback in one hand and an ice cream in the other. But other beach activities abound here, from volleyball and over-the-line to swimming, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Checkered flags mark out the safe zones for water-based fun and the reassuring lifeguard presence might even give you the impression you’ve walked onto the set of the latest Baywatch remake. Bit cold for a dunk in the Pacific, but still fancy a dip? Make for Plunge San Diego, an enormous indoor pool with a floating obstacle course and a retractable roof for sunny days. Which, to be fair, is most days here. Behind the beach, the broad boardwalk throngs with locals whizzing to and fro on all manner of wheeled transport: expect to dodge skateboarders, cyclists and rollerbladers as you make your way across to the beachside cafés and restaurants. Head to Cannonball for delicious sushi, Pacific Rim-influenced California cuisine and craft cocktails served high above the boardwalk at the biggest oceanfront rooftop restaurant in San Diego. Nearby Draft South Mission, with its whopping selection of over 100 brews is the place for sampling some of San Diego’s famous craft beers at sunset. Perhaps not all at once though. Old-Fashioned Entertainment One of Mission Beach’s undisputed highlights, Belmont Park is an old-fashioned seaside amusement park that’s guaranteed to charm even the most world-weary of travelers. You can’t visit the park without riding the Giant Dipper, a century-old wooden rollercoaster that has been designated a National Historic Landmark. There are also bumper cars, drop rides, mini golf, climbing walls and a traditional carousel, as well as amusement arcades and plenty of fairground food stalls. Not far south of Mission Beach, you’ll find the aptly named South Mission Beach. No less beautiful than its more popular sibling, it’s certainly less crowded. This is the place to come for relative solitude on the sands, though there's a range of beach and watersports to enjoy here too, should the mood take you. The long Mission Bay Jetty is a great spot to cast out a line and catch dinner. There’s an abundance of bass and halibut to be had and – because you don’t require a permit to fish here – the jetty is popular with both experienced fishermen and young kids angling for their first catch. Locals up the ante during lobster season by diving beneath the jetty and attempting to corral their own lunch by hand. Mission Bay Directly behind Mission Beach’s narrow sandbar lies Mission Bay, the largest man-made saltwater bay of its kind on the planet, with 27 miles of shoreline and 4,600 acres of waterways, islets and beaches to explore. Of course, this makes for some great walking and cycling trails, and bikes are available to rent at a number of outlets around the area. This is also the place to get wet, with watersports galore including jet skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, surfing, sailing, and just about any other watery activity that tickles your fancy. Kid-friendly beaches here are also perfect for picnics and building sandcastles. Make like Huckleberry Finn and take to the bay’s tranquil waters on a nostalgic Mississippi-style steamboat, or head out along the coastline on a sightseeing cruise. During the winter migration season, you may even be lucky enough to spot gray whales as they make their majestic way south to Baja’s warm lagoons. A number of sport-fishing excursions also depart regularly from Mission Bay, with options for half-day, full-day and multi-day trips. SeaWorld San Diego Mission Bay is also where you’ll find SeaWorld San Diego. There’s plenty here to keep you occupied for a day or two. And it’s not all about the sea creatures either (though there are plenty of those, too). This sprawling complex also has stacks of high-octane rides, including the absolutely terrifying Electric Eel. The highest and fastest rollercoaster in San Diego, it makes Belmont Park’s Giant Dipper seem positively quaint by comparison. Ride the Shipwreck Rapids for a rapid drenching and take in all the best coastline and San Diego skyline views from the Bayside Skyride gondolas and 98-meter-high Skytower. Kids will love getting up close to the many inhabitants of SeaWorld’s 19 aquariums. Walk through a glass underwater viewing tunnel as sand tigers and whitetip reef sharks cruise silently past, meet loggerhead, hawksbill, and green sea turtles at Turtle Reef, and visit the touch pools at Explorer's Reef to interact with (thankfully harmless) bamboo sharks, rays and horseshoe crabs. You can even enjoy – if enjoy is the correct word for it – the unusual sensation of shoals of tiny cleaner fish nibbling at your fingers. Don’t miss the cuteness overload that is the sea otter zone and, at the other end of the size spectrum, huge killer whales at the Orca Encounter. Save on things to do in Mission Beach San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak

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