Best Time to See Blue Whales in California
July, June and August is the best time to see blue whales in California. Based on 425 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when blue whales are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
425 verified observations of blue whales in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When blue whales are recorded in California
Peak month
July
93 records (21.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.5% |
| February | 2 | 0.5% |
| March | 3 | 0.7% |
| April | 7 | 1.6% |
| May | 69 | 16.2% |
| Junepeak | 91 | 21.4% |
| Julypeak | 93 | 21.9% |
| Augustpeak | 75 | 17.6% |
| September | 42 | 9.9% |
| October | 22 | 5.2% |
| November | 17 | 4% |
| December | 2 | 0.5% |
Blue Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Blue Whale | 425 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when blue whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for blue whales sit around 55 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Julbest time | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Augbest time | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Nov | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Dec | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on blue whales in California:
Sightings of blue whales in California peak in July, when 93 of the year's 425 verified observations are logged — about 21.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is January, February and December, when blue whales are hardest to find — January sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The blue whales you are most likely to encounter in California are Blue Whale — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see blue whales in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Go see them · California
Newport Beach Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
View many varieties of whales which include the giant blue whale which is over 90 feet in length, humpback whales, gray whales, finback whales whales,...
2 hours
From
From $39
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Alcatraz Island
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see blue whales in California?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 425 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are blue whales hardest to see in California?+
January is the quietest month for blue whales in California, with only 2 verified records.
Are blue whales active year-round in California?+
Blue whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see blue whales
More wildlife in California