How To See the Gray Whale Migration and Help Save a Life

Thousands of gray whales embark on the longest migration of any mammal each year, swimming up to 14,000 miles roundtrip from their Arctic feeding grounds to the warm lagoons of Mexico. As they generally stay in shallow waters, gray whales are a truly coastal species, and there are many amazing opportunities to see them from California’s beaches, headlands and coastal cliffs.

Once on the verge of extinction, the recovery of the eastern North Pacific gray whale population was considered a monumental conservation success. Now many scientists worry about the future for this species. In 2019, gray whales began washing up in high numbers, leading NOAA to declare an Unusual Mortality Event. The Center’s researchers were leading contributors in a working group investigating the underlying causes for the increased strandings. Our experts continue to actively monitor the health of gray whales traveling along the California coast and take action to protect them.

Here’s where you come in. Seeing a gray whale in the vast ocean is an awe-inspiring experience, and there are still plenty of places to view them. Did you know that you can help conservation efforts when you go whale watching? Learn when and where to watch the gray whale migration from shore, and how you can report your sightings to help protect these gentle giants.

Many of the best whale watching spots are only a drive or walk along the beach away. Check out these viewpoints to help you plan your trip. (As weather conditions can sometimes impact visitation, be sure to confirm online or with your local parks service that the viewpoint is currently open before you leave.)

Gray Whale Migration Map

Explore the gray whale migration map below to follow the whales’ incredible journey from their feeding grounds to breeding grounds, and then north again. Position yourself on the migration route and select a California coastal viewpoint near you. 

A Cetacean Researcher’s Top Whale Watching Spots

Bill Keener has dedicated his career to studying cetaceans, or whales, dolphins and porpoises. As one of the Center's cetacean experts, he's shared five vantage points in Northern and Central California where you’ll have a good chance of spotting gray whales. See the migration map for even more viewing locations.

• Point Reyes Lighthouse - What better place to spot whales than from California’s longest peninsula? Point Reyes projects an impressive 10 miles into the ocean, giving you a unique opportunity to catch a closer glimpse of the migration than most places. Visit the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula for the best viewpoint.
• Bodega Head - Gray whales are frequently seen from this granite headland in Sonoma Coast State Park as they take advantage of the nutrient-rich waters in the local marine protected areas. For an excellent whale watching vantage point, you’ll want to follow Bodega Head Trail and loop along the top of the bluffs.
• Point Arena-Stornetta Unit - Point Arena-Stornetta Unit, part of the California Coastal National Monument in Mendocino County, provides unique coastal habitat for marine mammals and other wildlife. The point itself juts farther west into the Pacific Ocean, which makes it an excellent location for sighting gray whales as they round the curve along their migration route.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Incredible ecological recovery at Point Lobos near Monterey has earned it widespread recognition as the “crown jewel of the California State Park System.” From the high ocean viewpoints along the park’s trails, gray whales are often sighted migrating through the local marine protected area.
• Fort Funston - Want to watch for migrating whales within San Francisco? Head to Fort Funston, the city’s southernmost beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Walk to the top of the bluffs where the hang-glider port is located for a vast view of the ocean.