SeeCalifornia.com

San Pedro, Calif. Whale Fiesta (pictured) takes place on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

While Dana Point Harbor calls itself the “Whale Capital of the World,” other harbors and ports in California would argue with that. Certainly Dana Point in South Orange County has bragging rights as home to the biggest whale festival and parade (Festival of Whales, March 7-8 and March 14-15, 2020) in sheer numbers of visitors and the wide range of activities for all ages. The event includes two weekends of fun with art, music, food, sand castle building, boating, cars, lectures and learning and so much more!

Due to the unique shape of Dana Point Harbor, it is ideally located for easy and quick access to board Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari or Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching tour boats and be in open ocean in 5 minutes to see migrating gray whales and Blue Whales.

Whale Festivals in California

MONTEREY: Monterey Wharf Whale Festival January 25-26, 2020

SAN PEDRO: Whale Fiesta January 26, 2020 at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

MENDOCINO:
Point Cabrillo Light Station Whale Festival  March 7-8 and March 21-22, 2020
Mendocino Whale Festival March 7, 2020
Little River Whale Festival March 14, 2020
Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 21, 2020

OXNARD: Celebration of the Whales March 22, 2020 at Channel Islands Maritime Museum

RANCHO PALOS VERDES: Whale of a Day Celebration April 18, 2020

CALIFORNIA COAST: Whale watching tours are available throughout the year along the California Coast from San Diego to San Francisco. Have a whale of time up close or stand along the coast (for free) and watch whales go by.