Whale Season

SF's Blue Whale Installation at Crissy Field

With the Bay Area’s clear autumn days, now’s a good time to spy whales in the ocean. But seeing one on the green grasses of San Francisco’s Crissy Field? Well, that’s a big deal! The whale’s not real, but its message is: Plastic waste in the ocean is a massive problem.

Every nine minutes, 300,000 pounds of plastic—the weight of a blue whale—makes its way into the ocean. So the Monterey Bay Aquarium built this 82-foot-long blue whale from 100% plastic waste, an effort to bring more attention to this huge problem. The whale was unveiled last Saturday and will remain on display until early in the new year. Make a day of it by hiking what we call the Grand Walk, a 6-mile classic route filled with iconic scenery.

Towards the end, you’ll pass by the grand whale and its accompanying plaques, which offer startling facts and valuable information on how we can all help reduce plastic waste. Stop by and spend some time with this big blue. Because plastic is polluting our other big blue.

Crissy Field is dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

    View
  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

    View
  3. Hiker on the SCA trail in Marin Headlands with view of the Golden Gate Bridge

    Headlands Over Heels

    People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View
  3. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View