
Cabrillo National Monument tide pools / NPS
This Saturday and Sunday, Cabrillo National Monument, in San Diego, Calif., is hosting a whale watching weekend, sponsored by the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. The event is timed to coincide with the annual gray whale migration, with whales easily visible from overlooks throughout the monument. It marks 75 years of the monument being a primary base for whale watching in Southern California.
Over the two days, visitors will have the opportunity to not only peer through their own binoculars at the whales offshore, but there will also be guided tours of the monument, assistants to help spot whales, and tide pool activities for children. Experts on site will present on topics like marine mammal acoustics, ocean conservation strategies, environmental sciences, and more.
Park Superintendent Chris Rodriguez shared his enthusiasm for the event: "This is a fantastic opportunity for families and visitors of all ages to observe and learn about gray whales and other marine life. We're especially excited to commemorate Cabrillo National Monument's 75-year legacy as the birthplace of land-based recreational whale watching in the U.S."
The weekend's activities are scheduled as follows:
- Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.):
- Exhibitors from ocean and wildlife organizations
- Guest speakers
- Children's activities
- Volunteers assisting with whale spotting and tidepool exploration
- Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.):
- Children's activities
- Whale and tidepool observation (Note: No exhibitors or speakers on this day)