Best Time to See Whales in California
August, September and May is the best time to see whales in California. Based on 18,008 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 2, 2026.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Adam J. Searcy CC BY
Humpback Whale · Ken-ichi Ueda CC BY
Common Dolphin · Cricket Raspet CC BY
18,008 verified observations of whales in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When whales are recorded in California
Peak month
August
1,976 records (11% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1,168 | 6.5% |
| February | 846 | 4.7% |
| March | 1,399 | 7.8% |
| April | 1,642 | 9.1% |
| Maypeak | 1,865 | 10.4% |
| June | 1,657 | 9.2% |
| July | 1,817 | 10.1% |
| Augustpeak | 1,976 | 11% |
| Septemberpeak | 1,957 | 10.9% |
| October | 1,663 | 9.2% |
| November | 1,050 | 5.8% |
| December | 968 | 5.4% |
Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 5,578 |
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 3,728 |
| Grey Whale | 1,946 |
| Common Dolphin | 1,863 |
| Risso's Dolphin | 1,297 |
| Harbour Porpoise | 617 |
| Orca | 569 |
| Pacific White-sided Dolphin | 458 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when whales are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for whales sit around 46 to 93 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" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Augbest time | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sepbest time | 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.
Sightings of whales in California peak in August, when 1,976 of the year's 18,008 verified observations are logged — about 11% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, September and May.
The quietest stretch is February, December and November, when whales are hardest to find — February sees just 846 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The whales you are most likely to encounter in California are Humpback Whale, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and Grey 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 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
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see whales in California?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, September and May, based on 18,008 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are whales hardest to see in California?+
February is the quietest month for whales in California, with only 846 verified records.
Are whales active year-round in California?+
Whales are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in August.
More places to see whales
More wildlife in California