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Destinations
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Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
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Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
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Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
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Monterey
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Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
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Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
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- Golf Itinerary
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- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
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- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
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Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
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Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
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Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
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Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
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- Submit an Event
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- Sustainable Moments
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Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
-
Monterey
- Lodging
-
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
-
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Annual Events
- Food & Drink
- Resources
Destinations
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur
- Big Sur HWY 1 Updates
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Bixby Bridge
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 48 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley
- Marina
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Salinas Valley
- Moss Landing
- Sand City
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Parkfield
- Spreckels
Lodging
Things to Do
- Top Ways to Grab Life by the Moments
- Free Things to Do
- Attractions
-
Itineraries
- Now is the Moment Itineraries
- Highlights Itinerary
- Outdoors Itinerary
- Family Itinerary
- Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary
- Golf Itinerary
- History and Heritage Itinerary
- Road Trip Itinerary
- Romantic Itinerary
- Shopping Itinerary
- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities
- Animals and Wildlife
-
Parks
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
-
Beaches
- Undiscovered Beaches
- Asilomar State Beach
- Big Sur Beaches
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel River State Beach
- Fort Ord Dunes State Park
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Marina State Beach
- Monterey Beaches
- Monterey State Beach
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pebble Beach Beaches
- Salinas River State Beach
- Zmudowski State Beach
- Arts and Culture
- Family Adventures
- Golf
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions
- Literary Sites
- Romance
- Shopping
- Spas
- Nightlife and Entertainment
Events
- This Weekend
- Music Festivals
-
Sporting Events
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- California International Airshow
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Spartan Race
- MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
- Sports Car Championship
- Firestone Grand Prix
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Drink Events
- Art Festivals
- Community Events
- Holiday Events
- Submit an Event
- Annual Events
Food & Drink
Whale Watching in Monterey
California is one of the only places in the world where visitors can see whales year-round, and there's no better place for whale watching than Monterey. While in many areas whale watchers have to go far from shore to see a whale, along the Monterey coast whales can sometimes be seen offshore with the naked eye. The Monterey Submarine Canyon, the ocean's answer to the Grand Canyon, provides a perfect habitat for many whale species, allowing them to come close to shore to feed.
Whale watching in Monterey Bay is the marine equivalent of going on a safari in Africa. The diversity on the Monterey Bay is pretty amazing. In addition to the whales that migrate seasonally through the area, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales, many other whale species are visible throughout the year. It's not unusual for whale watchers to spot a fin or minke whale. The rarely observed beaked whale, which dives for up to an hour at a time, has been known to make a cameo appearance, as has the occasional sperm whale.
TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME WHALE WATCHERS
Monterey's knowledgeable whale watch leaders have several tips for novice whale watchers.
- Plan ahead: Make reservations in advance as trips can fill up fast. Take note of new safety and health protocols upon booking, and follow guidelines accordingly.
- Dress Warm: Even if the weather seems warm on the dock the ocean air can get frigid so be sure to wear multiple layers.
- Wear sunscreen, face coverings & shades- Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, as you can still get burnt even if the sun is not visible. Masks are required, too.
- Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes: The deck is likely to get wet as you sail, and a wet deck is a slippery deck.
- Take sea-sickness medication: Prepare for your excursion by taking seasickness medication at least an hour before boarding your boat. This will give the medication time to take effect and ensure that you can enjoy the whale watch without getting queasy.
- Secure your camera or binoculars- Don't loose your favorite tech gadget to the sea! Make sure that your cameras, binoculars and other gear are strapped securely around your neck (or wrist, for shorter straps).
BOOK YOUR WHALE WATCHING TRIP TODAY!
Seeing whales in person is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Visitors have called the experience life-changing and say it gives them a new perspective on our oceans. Book your whale watching trip now and find out what it's like to meet a whale face-to-face!
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