Guide to Gray Whale Watching 2026 Season in San Diego

Gray Whale Breaking Water in San Diego

If you've never seen a gray whale, I can tell you that they are fascinating, beautiful, and magnificent creatures that you and your family can see each winter and spring right off shore from San Diego.

And while it is possible to see all types of whales in our waters - from the massive blue whale and fin whale species to the minke whale and ever popular humpback whale – winter into early spring is primetime for the gray whale migration.

With that in mind, let me share some more facts about gray whales!

Did You Know?

• Gray whales can reach 40-50 feet in length and can weigh as much as 40 tons.
• Gray whales annually migrate south past San Diego as they make their way towards the warm, shallow lagoons to mate and give birth during the winter and into the early spring. When April arrives, the whales migrate back north towards their summer feed grounds in the Bering Sea.
• Gray whales make one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal at about 12,000 miles from Alaska down to Baja California.
• According to The Birch Aquarium at Scripps, gray whales travel alone or in small pods during much of the year, but during the annual gray whale migration, they will travel together!

Insider Whale Spotting Tip: I'm told that you want to keep an eye out for their heart-shaped spouts and surface swirls that can often be seen as they surface on their way to Baja.

Will I See Other Animals on My Tour?

Yes! Whether you're heading out from Mission Bay, the Embarcadero, or even Oceanside, there are many charter options that will take you right into the migration corridor.

On a good day, it's possible to spot multiple whale species like humpback whales, fin whales and minke whales as well as orcas, sea birds, dolphins riding alongside the boat, and sea lions lounging on buoys. I think anyone on our team at Go Visit San Diego that's been lucky enough to go on a gray whale watching tour would tell you that it's the kind of outing that just stays with you!

If you're not a big boat person, don't worry, there are a number of locations where you can spot gray whales from land.

Looking into Vast Pacific Ocean at Cabrillo National Monument

What is the Best Spot to See Gray Whales From Land?

The Cabrillo National Monument is our team's top spot to spot whales from land. You can expect to see gray whales heading south in the winter for mating and calving and north in the spring toward the rich, krill-filled waters of the Bering Sea.

We've had the best luck in January from this spot, but you can see them from here through March and sometimes even into April!

Gray Whale Statue at Cabrillo National Monument

How to Get to the Cabrillo National Monument Whale Watching Spot

Head to the heights of Kelp Forest Overlook, Whale Overlook, and Old Point Loma Lighthouse for the best views. Just know that there is an entrance fee of $10-$30 depending on the vehicle with National Park and America the Beautiful Passes accepted as payment.

Deep Red and Orange Sunset at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Other Top Whale Watching Locations

• Torrey Pines State Reserve Park
• Sunset Cliffs

Torrey Pines State Reserve Park offers miles of trails with incredible views of the Pacific. I'd personally recommend January where visitors report seeing as many as eight gray whales per hour. Ideally, I'd suggest the Beach Trail or Razor Point Trail.

Sunset Cliffs offers panoramic views over the gray whale migration corridor. I'd suggest you bring a folding chair, hat, binoculars, and a little patience from this awesome whale watching spot.