Whale watching in Southern California

Although it doesn’t feel like it to non-Angelenos the winter months are here. We are experiencing high winds, impending drizzle, and sixty-degree temperatures. Other phenomena mark this time of year as well. We become aware that living in California, we are in the path of migrations that have been taking place for centuries. Not just the Monarchs who fly through the canyons, but the migration of 90–foot long, 300,000-pound mammals as well. To see the latter, I recommend embarking on a field trip an hour or so south to Orange County, or the OC, as it has become known in song and steamy teen dramas. Here is my recommendation for whale watching in Southern California.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the company I talk about in this post. I just enjoyed my experience.

Getting there

My recommendation to watch those 150-ton whales is an outfit with a piratey name, Davey’s Locker. Davey’s Locker has several cruises per day, leaving from the edge of Newport Beach’s Balboa Fun Zone, an amusement park that has been around since 1936.

The Journey

The two to two and a half hour cruise begins by moving off the Balboa Peninsula where you can see seagulls, pelicans, and other seabirds hanging out on yachts. (I am sure much to the dismay of the owners.) On its way toward Catalina Island, the boat moves slowly out past the buoys–a layover point for lazy sea lions. 

The second floor of the boat gets a bit crowded since it has the best vantage point for possible glimpses of sea life. I recommend heading there as soon as you get on the boat. 

It is a calming ride venturing out into the quiet ocean, the only sounds coming from the captain’s microphone to alert you that something is worth seeing.

We were lucky on my journey out into the Pacific. After noticing a spout way out on the horizon we began closing in on a Fin Whale, which is one of the largest and fastest whales in the ocean. Our boat followed it for quite some time, but it outswam us at every turn. We would see a random spout and dorsal fin as it dove deeper toward the ocean floor, gaining speed underwater.

The world seems pretty boring until you stop to think that there are 90ft long, 300,000-pound animals that swim around singing sad songs” -@Rhonda_doy

Whale watching isn’t just a Winter thing in Southern California. You can be sealife paparazzi all year long.

Note: Since going on my whale watching trip, the business has become two businesses separating its deep-sea fishing side from its whale watching side. You can still book a whale watching tour on the website below.

Hours, cost, and other information

• Business: Davey’s Locker/Newport Landing Whale Watching
• Website: https://daveyslocker.com/
• Address: Newport Beach
• Cost: Average of $40 per adult. Prices are based on popular days and how far in advance you book. Before you buy, check out Groupon because sometimes they have deals.
• Other:  Davey’s Locker sails all year round. Check the website for times and dates. Not for the seasick–you will experience rocky waters back to shore.
• Disclaimer: You aren’t always guaranteed to see whales, but the company tries very hard to make that happen.

I hope you forgive this detour away from Mar Vista. I needed to get this post in before peak whale-watching season ends.

Are you visiting Los Angeles soon? Not sure how to plan your trip? Check out my trip planning services. 

Next up….more boats!