The waters off the California coast are among the best in the world for spotting migrating whales.  Between December and April, grey whales make their way down from Alaska to give birth in the warm waters around Mexico's Baja Coast. Then they head back with their calves to the feeding grounds up north.  From May to November, it's the turn of the humpbacks.

Great places to view the whales from are Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel, The Channel Islands and lovely Santa Barbara.