Whale Watching from Shore

Whale Watching From Shore in Crystal Cove State Park

Gray-whale season is upon us. The best way to see our majestic Baja-bound friends is, of course, by boat, but sharp eyes can spot them from shore too. Get in a good hike while admiring this great annual migration. One of the best shorebound spots is the 6-mile (round-trip) Bluff Top Trail, a multiuse trail in Crystal Cove State Park. It’s mostly flat and nicely paved as it stretches along the coastal terrace from Morro Cove (near Laguna Beach) to Little Treasure Cove (near Newport Beach).

The ocean views are consistently amazing. Scads of turnoffs along the way lead to viewpoints or down to the beach. Most of the viewpoints have benches, making them perfect spots to set up for an afternoon of whale watching. Tip: Bring a hot beverage to help keep you warm in the chilly winter air!

Gray whales migrate off the Orange County coast from November to April—southbound through January, then northbound—while fin, humpback, and minke whales can be spotted year-round. There have also been sightings of a pod of orcas! Dolphins and sea lions also hang out. Some experts say that gray whales breach more often near Laguna Beach (the Reef Point section of the park) than anywhere else along the California coast. Talk about an amazing sight to see!

As the trail weaves across the top of 80-foot bluffs, it passes through coastal sage scrub and annual grasses. Signs along the way tell you about the park’s flora and fauna, as well as the expansive protected underwater area of Crystal Cove. Added bonus: It's tough to beat the sunset here, with views of Catalina off in the distance.

From the 91 freeway, take CA-55 south toward Newport Beach. Take Exit 5A to merge onto CA-73 south. Exit onto MacArthur Blvd., then turn left onto East Coast Hwy. The entrance will be on your right. Fee parking available in either the Pelican Point or Reef Point parking lot. Crystal Cove is open from 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Trail is dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed on the beaches.

Whale watching photo by Soren Riise/Creative Commons Whale photos by Joe McKenna/Creative Commons

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View