Condé Nast Traveler
April 20, 2026
By Alanna Bennett
The following highlights have been excerpted and adapted from an article originally published by Condé Nast Traveler. Writer Alanna Bennet details whale migration and what conditions provide the best whale viewings off the coast of California. AdventureSmith Explorations’ Top Travel Specialist Arielle Lightcap was quoted in the piece, sharing insights on getting the most out of whale watching.
With its vast and diverse coastline, there aren’t many better places to go whale watching than in California. Few experiences are as mind-boggling as finding yourself feet away from the most massive mammals on planet Earth—but what you’ll see among the waves depends on a few key factors, namely where and when you go.
Gray whales head southward down the coast during winter, in a journey that happens to be the longest migration of any mammal on the planet. Moreover, you might get lucky and see some fin, humpback, or minke whales during that time. In spring, the gray whales head north again, fin whales become more abundant, and orcas populate Northern California waters. Come summertime, the blue whale dominates the deep waters off Southern California. In the fall, attention shifts to the humpbacks in the south and back to the orcas around Monterey.
“This is not an invitation for tourists to further approach or touch the animals,” says Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist Arielle Lightcap of AdventureSmith Explorations; it’s literally in the name—whale watching. Follow your guide’s advice, be patient as you scan the waves, and, as Lightcap says, “Enjoy the moment.” She also recommends tucking those phones and cameras away as much as you can. “Unless you’re an avid photographer with the right lens at the right time, you can miss the action tinkering with your gear. Be sure to enjoy the view outside of your lens.”
