Lemo

We are considering a short whale watch trip while in San Francisco with our three boys, ages 7, 9 and 11. I have heard some good things about Monterey Whale Watch. It is a three hour tour I believe, and seems to be reasonably priced. Anyone have any opinions. I don't want to waste one minute of my trip to the city! (We will be there for four or five days so I think we can fit most things in!) Thanks.

garyt22

Lemo - I took my family on Monterey whale watch and had the most amazing experience of our lives... the staff is extremely knowlegeable and available for questions... the captain seemed to know exactly where to go to find the big ones and we were able to see several types of whales feeding and got the biggest thrill when some of the humpbacks came right to the boat and used the hull as a backscratcher! We were amazed that they were as close as six feet away from us and surprised when we were blasted by the blowhole spray... My wife still claims that she saw the "soul" of the whale through its eyes!!! The trip was a half day and it is advisable that you prepare everyone with Dramimine or other motion sickness medicine... if you take the early AM trip you may see more whales, however the rest of the day is pretty well recovery time from the boat and medicine... we just spent the rest of the day around the pier and aquarium and headed back for

Lemo

Thanks Gary! How is the drive to Monterey? The whale watch begins at 10am. If we leave San Francisco at 7:30 will we be ok? The website says that it takes two hours. Also, if we need a few hours to recover, what do you suggest we do while in Monterey?

SAB

You don't have to go all the way to Monterey to take a whale watching trip, there are trips that leave from SF and go to the Farallons Islands --a wonderful wildlife refuge of the SF coast or up the coast. In addition to saving the time of a drive to Monterey you will get to take a trip on SF Bay and go under the GGBridge. Just a thought.

website of one such tour group: http://www.sfbaywhalewatching.com/

garyt22

Lemo- The trip from SF to Monterey is along the Pacific Coast highway and is the most beautiful scenery you will ever see... give yourself plenty of time for a few quick stops along the way to enjoy the view... just make sure your driver doesn't get drowsey from the dramimine.... after the whale watch, there are a few things to do at the pier including amazing caramel corn, chowder in a sour dough bowl, shops and restaurants... also consider the aquarium, or a run to Carmel...