Anyone who knows us knows how much we love wildlife, including sea creatures! When we were down in the Los Angeles area, one of our top priorities was to see whales off the coast during their migration season. Keep reading for our travel guide for free whale watching in Los Angeles!
One of the most important parts of whale watching at the Southern California coast is timing. The peak season is December-April for gray whales, when they migrate South from the arctic to mate and calve, and then head back up to the arctic for the summer months. Mother-calf pairs typically migrate North later in the season to allow their babies to grow, and keep close to the coast to avoid predators in the deeper waters. We’ve seen tons of mother and baby gray whales in April.
Other whales in the area include humpbacks, which may be seen in November-June, and blue whales, sperm whales, and orca whales, which may be seen May-September. However, these whales are typically in deeper waters, so you may have to pay for a whale cruise to see them! We had a great time whale watching off of the San Pedro Fish Market, which also has a ton of outdoor restaurants and vendors on the pier. While this isn’t free, it is still a great option for those who want to get out on the water and have a bit more flexibility with their budget!
The Best Places to See Gray Whales (for free!)
There are two places you should check out if you want to see whales from the coast for free: Point Dume and Palos Verdes.
Point Dume State Beach
Point Dume beach is located in Malibu, and we recommend taking the PCH to get there for some amazing views along the way. The best part of Point Dume is that the beach itself is huge and at the far end is a huge bluff. There is a trail from the beach to access this rocky cliffside, and be sure to bring extra layers as the wind up here is no joke! The views here are stunning, and include views of the Santa Monica Bay, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Malibu coastline, and Catalina Island when it’s clear. This is also a great place to sit and watch for whales!
If you would prefer the comfort of the sand, no worries! We’ve also had great luck sitting on the beach. Just keep an eye out for spouts that signal whales. We once saw a mother and calf nursing directly from the beach. We have also seen a ton of dolphins frolicking in the water just off the beach. So post up and enjoy the views!
Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes is a gorgeous area South of Los Angeles and West of Long Beach. Head to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center for free parking and access to beautiful trails overlooking rocky cliffs, gorgeous wildflowers, beautiful beaches, and the Point Vicente Lighthouse. The Interpretive Center is free to access (but accepts donations!) and offers exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, including information on the Pacific gray whale.
The best part is that you can trade your car keys/license in exchange for a free pair of binoculars for a closer look! Plus, when we went there was a group of professionals counting the whales during migration season that helped us know what to look for and what kinds of whales we were seeing. Take your binoculars down the path and look out for spouts to signal whales! Then enjoy a picnic at tables overlooking the lighthouse or relax in the grass for a perfect day.
Please double check on Covid restrictions before visiting to make sure you have the best experience possible!
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We hope this helps you plan your perfect budget-friendly whale watching adventure! Feel free to reach out if you’re planning to get out there!
Summer & Jackson
OutThere Travels
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