If you’re looking to whale watch from shore, there are many locations along the west coast from California to Washington. Below are just a few locations you’ll likely be able to see whales during migration without getting seasick.
Washington
There are several locations along The Whale Trail, where many whales can be seen, including orcas. The Whale Trail was created by a team of many partners including the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Check back to their site as they expand the trail into California.
Another program that promotes whale watching is The Whale Watching Spoken Here program which places volunteers at 26 locations in Washington, Oregon, and California during specific weeks of the year to help others spot whales. From north to south, the sites are listed below.
- Cape Disappointment State Park & Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, (360) 642-3029
Oregon
Whale Watching Spoken Here sites in Oregon:
- Ecola State Park, (503) 436-2844
- Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101
- Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, (503) 842-3182
- Cape Lookout State Park, (503) 842-4981
- Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, (503) 842-3182
- Inn at Spanish Head Resort Hotel, in the lobby on the 10th floor, (800) 452-8127
- Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint, (541) 265-4560
- The Whale Watching Center/ Depoe Bay Sea Wall, (541) 765-3304
- Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint, (541) 265-4560
- Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint/ Cape Foulweather, (541) 265-4560
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area, (541) 265-4560
- Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, (541) 574-3100
- Don Davis City Park, (541)-265-7783
- Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center, (541) 750-7000
- Cook’s Chasm Turnout, (800) 929-0477
- Sea Lion Caves Turnout – large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel
- Umpqua Lighthouse at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, (541) 271-4118
- Shore Acres State Park, (541) 888-3732
- Face Rock Wayside State Scenic Viewpoint, (800) 551-6949
- Cape Blanco Lighthouse, at Cape Blanco State Park, (541) 332-2973
- Battle Rock Wayfinding Point, Port Orford
- Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor, (541) 469-2021
- Cape Ferrelo
- Harris Beach State Park, (541) 469-2021
California
You’ll find many great spots to whale watch from shore from Del Norte to San Diego County. Here are just a few of them:
Del Norte County
Whale Watching Spoken Here site in Crescent City:
Humboldt County
- Humboldt Lagoons State Park (Dry Lagoon), (707) 677-3570
- Patrick’s Point State Park (Palmer’s Point and Wedding Rock), (707) 677-3570 in Trinidad
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Gold Bluffs Beach), (707) 465-7347
- Trinidad Head; Trinidad State Beach, (707) 677-3570
- Shelter Cove, on the Lost Coast
Mendocino County
- Mendocino Headlands State Park, (707) 937-5804
- Chapman Point and Spring Ranch Headlands State Reserve at Van Damme State Park, (707) 937-5804
- Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, (707) 937-6122
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, (707) 964-4352
- Noyo Bluffs, just south of the Noyo Bridge
- Laguna Point; MacKerricher State Park, (707) 964-9112 or (707) 937-5804; 3 miles north of Fort Bragg
- Manchester State Park, (707) 882-2463
Sonoma County
- Salt Point State Park, (707) 847-3221; 10 miles north of Fort Ross on Highway 1
- Stillwater Cove Regional Park, (707) 847-3245; 3 miles north of Fort Ross on Highway 1
- Fort Ross State Historic Park, (707) 847-3286; 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1
- Jenner; Bluffs at Eckert Acquisition, about 8 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1
- North Jenner Beaches, from Russian Gulch State Park to Jenner (north of Bodega Bay)
- Bodega Head; Bodega Head Park and Sonoma Coast State Park, (707)875-3483; from Highway 1, take Westshore Road to the end of Westside Road; 1 hour north of Point Reyes
Marin County
- Point Reyes Lighthouse; Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100 x2
- Chimney Rock; Point Reyes National Seashore, (415) 464-5100 x2
- Marin Headlands; Golden Gate National Recreation Area, (415) 331-1540
San Francisco County
- Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center; (415) 561-6622
San Mateo County
- Point Montara Light Station, (650) 728-7177 (hostel)
- Highway 1 Bluffs; bluffs along Highway 1 south of Pescadero to Pigeon Point Road
- Pigeon Point Light Station, (650) 879-2120
- Año Nuevo State Park, (650) 879-2025
Santa Cruz County
Monterey County
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, (831) 624-4909
- Garrapata State Park, (831) 624-4909
- Point Sur State Historic Park, (831) 624-4419
- Vista Point; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, (831) 667-2315
San Luis Obispo County
- Montaña de Oro State Park, (805) 528-0513
- Hearst San Simeon State Park, (805) 927-2020
- Estero Bluffs State Park, (805) 772-7434
Santa Barbara County
- El Capitán State Beach, (805) 968-1033
- Point Sal State Beach, (805) 733-3713
- Coal Oil Point Reserve, (805) 893-4127
- Shoreline Park, (805) 564-5418
Los Angeles County
- Leo Carillo State Park, (310) 457-8143
- Point Dume State Beach, (310) 457-8143
- Point Vicente, Palos Verdes, (310) 377-5370
- Point Fermin Park, (310) 548-7705
Orange County
- Crystal Cove State Park, (949) 494-3539
- Dana Point Headlands
San Diego County
- Silver Strand State Beach, (619) 435-5184
- Western overlooks; Cabrillo National Monument, (619) 557-5450
- Old Point Loma Lighthouse; Cabrillo National Monument, (619) 557-5450
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, (858) 755-2063