HOW TO GET THERE

GPS: 84 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey

Coastal route: From San Francisco, take Interstate 280 to Daly City to the exit for Highway 1 / Pacifica. Take that exit, merge onto Highway 1 South and drive 19 miles to Half Moon Bay, then continue 48 miles to Santa Cruz (stay in left two lanes) to lighted intersection. Turn left (still Highway 1) and drive 40 miles to Exit 402B (signed Del Monte / Pacific Grove). Take that exit for 0.4 of a mile to merge onto Del Monte Avenue and continue 1.5 miles to Figueroa Street. Turn right and drive 100 yards to Fisherman’s Wharf. Turn left and drive another 100 yards to signed road for Fisherman’s Wharf Parking. Turn right on access road, then make an immediate left into parking.

Inland route: Drive to San Jose and Highway 101 and continue south on Highway 101 for 49 miles to Exit 336 and Highway 156 (signed for Monterey). Take that exit for 0.4 of a mile, merge onto Highway 156 and drive 6.1 miles to Highway 1. Merge onto Highway 1 South and drive 11.7 miles to Exit 402B (signed Del Monte / Pacific Grove). Take that exit for 0.4 of a mile to merge onto Del Monte Avenue and continue 1.5 miles to Figueroa Street. Turn right and drive 100 yards to Fisherman’s Wharf. Turn left and drive another 100 yards to signed road for Fisherman’s Wharf Parking. Turn right on access road and then make an immediate left into parking.

After parking: Walk down Fisherman’s Wharf (you will pass several shops, restaurants), and near the end, turn right at Wharfside Restaurant to Monterey Whale Watch Center.

Distances: 18 miles from Moss Landing, 71 miles from San Jose, 90 miles from Half Moon Bay, 95 miles from Pleasanton, 114 miles from San Francisco, 186 miles from Sacramento.

Michael Sack / Special to The Chronicle A humpback whale dives under a kayak and photographer Giancarlo Thomae in Monterey Bay.