Looking for information on whale watching. When are the best times and places to go whale watching on the west coast? Thanks.

February and March are the best times on the Oregon coast. Good viewing in particular in the Lincoln City area which is about 80 miles SW of Portland. There are many boat tours you can take and on the weekends there are often spotting guides in many of the state parks to help you. Be aware that the weather is usually pretty wet at that time of the year.

Hi,

I have heard that there is whale watching from Long Beach, California. I am wondering if it is good in October?

Laura

Sorry, no whales in the fall from Southern California. The migration is from Alaska - Mexico for breeding. I forget which way is when. Off San Diego, it is late winter/early spring.

For viewing, 1) you can charter a boat, not recommended unless you know what you are doing it is a federal offense to interfere with their migration path, 2) buy a seat on a whale watching boat, or 3) pick a spot along the coast with some altitude, i.e. Pt Loma or Torrey Pines and be patient.

Santa Barbara has a lot of blue whales in the summer months (June - August) - sometimes they stay through November. See the site below for more info.
http://www.condorcruises.com/home/index.html

Channel Islands, Pt. Reyes, San Juan Islands

Different Whales different times of the year.