Conditions ideal for whale watching
You may think whalewatching season in California is limited to winter when Pacific gray whales migrate from Mexico to Alaska and back.
But summer offers a chance to see other kinds of whales, which come to feast. Right now, California’s coast is teeming with tiny shrimplike organisms called krill, the only thing blue whales eat.
California’s coast is one of five major areas where a process known as upwelling leads to a plankton bloom that’s attractive to sea creatures.
From San Diego to Santa Barbara, you may see humpback and blue whales and the occasional minke and fin whale. Among the outfitters: San Diego Whale Watch in San Diego, $48. Info: www.sdwhalewatch.com Oceanside Adventures in Oceanside, $39. Info: www.
lat.ms/oceanside. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching in Dana Point, $45. Info: www.lat.ms/ danawharf
Captain Dave’s Dolphin
& Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point, $65 per adult for 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours, depending on the boat. Info: www.dolphinsafari.com
Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching on Balboa Island, $70 per adult on a six-person Zodiac. Info: www.lat.ms/coastalwhale.
L.A Waterfront Sportfishing and Cruises in San Pedro, $25 weekends only; www.laharborsportfishing.com
Newport Landing Whale Watching in Newport Beach, from $32. Info: www.new portwhales. Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach, $45 to $50. Info: www.lat.ms/2see whales.
Marina del Rey/Matt Walsh Whale Watching in Marina del Rey, $35. Info: mdrsf.net Island Packers in Ventura Harbor, $79 for all day. Info: islandpackers.com Condor Express, Santa Barbara, $99 for a half-day tour. Info: condorexpress .com