The annual south-to-north Pacific gray whale migration happens from February to May along the Sonoma Coast. As whales travel from the warm birthing lagoons along the Baja Peninsula to the frigid feeding grounds of Alaska’s Bering Sea, mother-calf pairs tend to travel closer to shore than individual adults.
Visitors can go out any day of the week to see them at various locations. Bring binoculars and dress for fluctuating weather conditions.
Sonoma County Regional Parks has an excellent article about whale watching and where to see them.
Where to go
On weekends, from 10am to 2pm, January through May, weather permitting, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods Whale Watch docents are stationed at Bodega Head to help visitors get the most out of their whale-watching experience. You can also see whales from other areas of the 17-miles-long Sonoma Coast State Park.
From Sonoma County Tourism: Other locations to whale watch include Gualala Point Regional Park, the six public access trails at The Sea Ranch, Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Fort Ross State Historic Park, Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve, and Salt Point State Park.