From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget. Jul 18, 2017 the best spot weve found to count the whales is atop the marin headlands, or from lands end in san francisco. Whale alert helps reduce the chance of fatal ship strikes by large vessels by displaying active whale management areas, required reporting areas. Can you please advise me on the best location of the 3 to. According to whale experts, an astounding 94 percent of migrating pacific gray whales pass within one mile of this protected peninsula some 27 miles north of san francisco. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. Half moon bay is about 30 minutes south of san francisco. Whale watching cruises range from a twohour jaunt out of a local harbor to multiday cruises to baja, mexico. Use the code fmsa when making your reservation and the tour operator will make a donation to the farallones marine sanctuary association san francisco bay whale watching. On each trip you may have the chance to see whales, seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoises, and large numbers of. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions from san francisco bay to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. Sf bay whale watching passengers met a pack of 40 orcas in the gulf of the farallones in spring 2009.
The great thing about whale watching in san francisco is you have the chance to admire the marine wildlife almost all year long. Whale watching in the san francisco area centers on the region around the gulf of the farallons about 25 miles offshore, where whales cruise through a 20mile wide ocean highway. We are a nonprofit organization and have been leading whale watching trips in the bay area since 1972. Explore the san francisco region land based observations collected by point blue conservation science daily from the farallon islands and. Lyrinda snyderman was out in the bay with three other kayakers when they saw the whales. The gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know before. Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of mexico. Between 2010 and 2012, ships struck eight whales in the waters around san francisco bay. Orcas, not usually resident here, have been encountered in our local waters several times in the past few years. Many stop here for a while on their way up north for even. Led by expert naturalists, full and half day boat tours are available almost every weekend, with opportunities to see blue, humpback, and gray whales, dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, rare seabirds, and other marine life up close.
Whale watching trips out of sf have to go quite a ways out of the golden gate to get into whale territory. San francisco whale watching trip to the farallon islands. January is the most whale happy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day. The uscg maintains a vessel traffic service vts in the port of san francisco, and the tss is located entirely within the vts coverage area. The uscg maintains a vessel traffic service vts in the port of san francisco, and the. Enjoy a scenic cruise of san franciscos beautiful coastline and the fantastic wildlife of the bay area. Meanwhile, winter in san francisco draws bargainhunters with the promise of lower hotel rates and fewer people. If you want to see whales, head to the tip of point reyes national seashore from december through february. Whale watching season in northern california starts earlier and ends later than it does further south. About 30 minutes of whale watching in one go and at a single spot is more than enough. You can get closer if you book a tour on a local whale watch boat. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco oceanic.
Short video of whale in san francisco bay, shot by captain stuart kiehl on mv watercress. San francisco whale tours trips to the farallon islands originating from fort mason, san francisco. Different whales migrate through this area at different times of the year. The ocean off california is a whale superhighway and some of the best places to see these giants of the deep are in and near san francisco. Click here to gift certificates gift certificates click here to call 415 706. Oceanic society whale watch trips originating from half moon bay and san francisco. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as. When is the best time to go whale watching in the bay area. It was amazing to go under the golden gate bridge and out to sea.
Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more information. Nov 01, 2014 whale watching san francisco california. Oceanic society farallon islands whale watching san. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals. The imo amended the san francisco tss effective june 1, 20.
While an occasional curious cetacean thats sciencespeak for whale may venture into san francisco bay for a bit of sightseeing, they generally stay further. Whaling from the bay ended in december 1971, following passage by congress of the marine mammal protection act of 1972. Oceanic society is a nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in san francisco in 1969. But if you want to get a special view, without having to worry about seasickness, then go to the golden gate bridge during a strong rising tide. We are spending 3 nights in san fransisco, 2 nights in monterey bay and 2 nights in half moon bay. San francisco whale tours all you need to know before. San francisco supervisor threatens to take power to raise fares. They offer a 5hour coastal and a 6hour farallons tour. Their expert naturalists teach you all you need to know about marine life as you scan the horizon for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other. Jul, 2016 a kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san franciscos waters on sunday. The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. The san francisco tss is located within the cbnms, gfnms, and mbnms as well as numerous commercial fishing grounds. And right now is the perfect time to go whalewatching.
On this halfday tour from pier 39, cruise toward the chilly pacific watersor around san francisco bayto spot migrating whales feasting on the plentiful anchovy. San francisco travel partners with a number of whale watching tours and charters that can get you out onto the high seas for an upclose look. Select portions of a long boat trip with a few seconds of resident gray whales breaching. And extremely lucky visitors might get to see blue, fin, minke, or sperm whales. To find out what all those wonderful creatures look like up close and what they look like when you see them from.
According to whale experts, an astounding 94 percent of migrating pacific gray whales pass within one mile of this protected peninsula some 27 miles north of san francisco january is the most whalehappy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day. To see females with their calves, go late in the season as they take their babies back north with them. San francisco whale tours offers whale watching trips from. Jan 01, 2003 though whales were never hunted in san francisco bay itself, the whaling industry had a long presence here. Photo by joe nazar, san francisco whale tours overview. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate.
You can also see them from land, especially from any part of the coastline that juts into the sea, where they typically come closest to land. Jan 23, 2016 so many blue whales off dana point, california, even the dolphins are whale watching duration. Once you catch a whale, you would want to continue to look at it, but this may not be a very good idea. Whale watching is a growing activity that everyone should try. San francisco whale tours offers exciting adventures from the san francisco bay to the pacific ocean and into the protected sanctuary of the farallon islands. Nature enthusiasts shouldnt miss the opportunity to see the majestic gray whale in its natural habitat, off the coast of san francisco. And right now is the perfect time to go whale watching.
Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. Ten apps to download for your visit to san francisco free tours. May 14, 2016 san francisco in san francisco bay, its been a great week for whale watching thanks to some special visitors seldom seen in those waters. Apr 29, 2020 farallon islands whale watching san francisco join us on a day trip from san francisco to the wonderful and wild farallon islands, one of the most exciting marine environments on earth. Jul 06, 2016 pacifica municipal pier is south of san francisco only 25 minutes driving from downtown sf, or only 10 minutes from the south edge of sf. Click here to view location pier 39, san francisco, ca 943 pier 39, san francisco, ca 943. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco. California has some of the best marine wildlife viewing in the world. Diegos whale watching trip to the san francisco farallon islands.
Depart from pier 39 and enjoy views of alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. Whale watching cruises operate from san diego, dana point, long beach, ventura, santa barbara, monterey, half moon bay and san francisco. Whale watching season in san diego runs from middecember through april, and migrating gray whales are the most common species. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip bottom photo at right.
Medium 42 days in california by a user from brazil june, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, fastpaced, popular sights preferences. San francisco in san francisco bay, its been a great week for whale watching thanks to some special visitors seldom seen in those waters. With some of the worlds largest mammals migrating past coastal points, feeding near the coast and swimming in inlets, youll find plenty of ocean creatures to see. Our highlyrated day trips to the farallon islands depart from san francisco. Join us for an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. My favorite time to go is during the warmest time of the year, from september to october. June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife attraction style. The noise coming from your boat may confuse whales and deter them from searching for food. Click here to learn more about whale watching tours whale watching tours. Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and seals, harbor porpoises, and much more. Pacifica municipal pier is south of san francisco only 25 minutes driving from downtown sf, or only 10 minutes from the south edge of sf.
Our san francisco whale watch programs began in 1972, and have given thousands of people the opportunity to see and learn about the bay areas spectacular marine wildlife, including several species of whales, dolphins, seabirds, and much more. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Beginning in the 1830s, whaling ships of british and new englandbased fleets wintered in san francisco bay. Our tours usually sell out, so book your san francisco whale watching tour now. Hello myself husband and 8 year old are travelling in a couple of weeks to san fransisco. Join us aboard this exciting marine mammal wildlife trip through the san francisco bay. Join san francisco whale tours aboard their ecofriendly catamarans and venture into the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary in search of the largest marine species on earth.
The best spot weve found to count the whales is atop the marin headlands, or from lands end in san francisco. Just a few miles off the shore are cool waters that offer the perfect feeding ground for several varieties of whales including grays, blues, and humpbacks. San francisco is a great place to go whale watching. Humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. Apr 23, 2016 san francisco supervisor threatens to take power to raise fares. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and. Then keep your eyes peeled for humpback and grey whales the area is also a happy habitat for dolphins, sea lions, porpoises, and the occasional shark, all of which. From what i understand because i go green thinking about. In winter, you can find them leaving from harbors and marinas along the entire california coast. Oceanic society is a nonprofit organization working on conservation and education.
Lyrinda snyderman was out in the bay with three other kayakers when. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video. The whale meat was sold primarily for cat and dog food. However, the fluctuating climate can quickly trounce a day at the beach. Reducing ship strike risk to whales policy and management.
The san francisco whale tours ecotour offers a chance to learn about the natural history and wildlife of the san francisco bay while experiencing breathtaking views of the city, the golden gate bridge, alcatraz and more. A list of some of the best apps to download for your visit to san francisco, including great guides to parking, eating, and using public transportation. Asking a few questions may help you find one that best meets your needs. So many blue whales off dana point, california, even the dolphins are whale watching duration. Discover the marine life that calls the waters surrounding san francisco home on a whale watching cruise. A kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san franciscos waters on sunday.
Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Due to the massive influx of whales weve been seeing in the bay, were heading out even more often. Many people are scared to go whale watching as it is a new experience for them and they are not well aware of what all it has to offer. Between may and july 2016, a record number of whales swam. San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know. During this time, the sun is shining and the water is calm. Once this file is downloaded by a users device, your ability to track what they do with that file falls off of a cliff. See views of the golden gate bridge, whales, porpoise, and more. There are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales. Migrating gray whales are the species seen most often in northern california.
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