Whale-Watching for Landlubbers

From late December to April, scores of California charter boats search out migrating gray whales for tourists. But you can sometimes glimpse whales from the shore. Some recommended sites:

1) Point St. George and Castle Rock Island

2) Klamath Overlook, on Requa Road off U.S. 101

3) Redwood National Park

4) Patrick’s National Park

5) McKinleyville Vista Point

6) Laguna Point at MacKerricher State Park

7) Lighthouse at Point Reyes National Seashore

8) Pigeon Point

9) Monterey Peninsula

10) Big Sur

11) San Simeon State Beach

12) Near San Luis Obispo: Cayucos State Beach, Morro Bay, Montana de Oro State Park, Pismo State Beach

13) Dana Point

14) Point Loma. Has whale observatory and exhibit at Cabrillo National Monument

Source: California Division of Tourism