Pictured is a dolphin leading the way to find whales as the Dana Pride whale watching tour boat leaves the Dana Point harbor on a whale watching cruise.

All along the California coast whale lovers are getting their fix during the gray whale migrations going on right now. With plenty of cute little seals & sea lions or fearsome sharks to feed on, the abundance of fresh food for these ocean giants makes the California coast a place worth hanging out for a while during their long journey of 10,000 to 12, 000 miles between the warm winter waters of Mexico and the summer feeding ground in the cold Arctic seas.

By early April, the eastern Pacific population of gray whales are strung out along the Pacific Coast of North America from Central California to Southeast Alaska on their journey north. In California there are literally dozens of whale watching boat excursions that you can ride with prices varying, but really quite a bargain for the entertainment value. Below are several such tours with information on making reservations and buying tickets.

WHALE WATCHING BOATS

• DANA POINT - Gray Whale Watching Trips. Search for whales, dolphin, sea lion and other exciting marine life! All cruises are narrated by our expert captains who will educate you on the abundant ocean life on our coast. Trips are all 2 hours long. Trips depart daily! 10 a.m. to Noon; Noon- 2 p.m.; 2 – 4 p.m. Cost: $30, kid $19. Location: 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, California. Call: (800) 979-3370.
• NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Landing Whale Watching. 96% viewing success rate means almost every trip has sightings. November through April Weekdays: 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. departure. Weekends: 9 a.m., 12 Noon and 2:30 p.m. Cost: $25 adult; $20 child. Location: 309 Palm St., Newport Beach, CA
• SAN DIEGO – Whale watching adventure goes daily through March 31. Cost: $35 adult; $21 child.
• SAN FRANCISCO – Bay Whale Watching. This is a 6 hour natural history and whale watch tour that departs from PIER 39 Dock B on weekends only. Cost: $89 adult; $70 child. Advance purchase required. Tours usually sell out! Cost: Call: (800) 979-3370. sanfranciscowhaletours.com
• SANTA CRUZ – Stagnaro Charters has 95% success in spotting whales or dolphins. 3 – 4 hour trips are narrated and run year-round! Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz, CA. Call: (831) 427.0230. santacruzwhalewatching.com

MORE

• LONG BEACH – Harbor Breeze Charters 2seewhales.com
• REDONDO BEACH – Voyager Excursions voyagerexcursions.com
• SAN PEDRO – Spirit Cruises spiritmarine.com