In Los Angeles, you can see grey whales through binoculars, standing on the shoreline. The migration can be observed from December to May, during this season they keep closer to the coast. You can also see whales in the open ocean—in the nature reserve Point Dume and Park Point Fermin Park by boat. Be sure to take a camera with you to capture the pirouettes of grey whales over the water, in their natural environment. After all, finback whales are real acrobats and love to show off to the public.
Dolphins live in the Los Angeles coastal waters. You can see the Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Pacific White-Sided Dolphin, and the large Risso's Dolphin all year round. The largest member of the dolphin family, Orcas, often visit the coast too. You can see them mostly in December and January, although witnesses have seen Orcas at other times of the year too.
Every spring, thousands of grey whales and their toddlers begin their journey back to the north, travelling quite close to the coast of Southern California. Not surprisingly, such a spectacle attracts big audiences. In early March, Dana Point hosts the Festival of Whales. The event lasts for two weekends and includes a parade, a fair, a themed concert, and whale watching.
