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. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View