Whale watching

BOAT TRIPS

Half Moon Bay: 3-hour local trip; Oceanic Society, (415) 256-9604, www.oceanicsociety.org San Francisco: All-day trip to Farallon Islands. Oceanic Society, (415) 256-9604, www.oceanicsociety.org Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Whale Watching, Stagnaro Charters, (831) 427-0230, www.santacruzwhalewatching.com. Moss Landing: Sanctuary Cruises, Moss Landing, (831) 350-4090, www.sanctuarycruises.com. Monterey: Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center, (831) 375-4658, www.montereybaywhalewatch.com; Princess Monterey, Monterey, (831) 373-2203, www.montereywhalewatching.com; Blue Ocean Whale Watching, (831) 600-5103, www.blueoceanwhalewatch.com.

BEST VIEWING SPOTS

Point Reyes: Point Reyes Lighthouse, Chimney Rock Headlands, Palomarin parking/bluff. Info: Point Reyes National Seashore, Visitor Center, (415) 464-5100, www.nps.gov/pore. San Francisco Headlands: Sutro Ruins at Lands End, Cliff House Parkway. Info: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, (415) 5614700; www.nps.gov/goga. Pacifica: Mori Point; trailhead at corner of Beach and Clarendon. Info: Pacifica Visitor Center, (650) 355-4122, www.pacifica chamber.com. Montara: Montara Lighthouse (Hostel); NorCal Hostels, (650) 7287177, www.norcalhostels.org/montara. Half Moon Bay: Pillar Point Head; marine forecast, Pillar Point Harbor, (650) 726-6070, Ext. 2. Pigeon Point Lighthouse: Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, (650) 879-2120, www.parks.ca.gov.