Whale Watching from Boutique Hotels Along the California Coast
Through winter and early spring, over 25,000 gray whales cruise the California coast during their annual migration. Every year, the whales swim between their feeding grounds in the Arctic to the warm lagoons of Mexico, where they mate and give birth to calves. The 10,000 to 14,000-mile round-trip trek is the longest annual migration of any mammal on earth.
The whales usually travel within a couple of miles of land, making them visible from shore. Along the California coast, you can catch sight of migrating gray whales spouting, diving, and breaching between December and April. But the best months for whale watching are March and April, when mothers and calves travel closest to shore to avoid predators on their journey north.
Whale-watching tours depart from numerous harbors up and down the coast, but for a more tranquil whale-watching adventure, book a stay at one of California’s coastal boutique hotels. With creature comforts and panoramic ocean views, these hotels offer cozy perches for gazing out in wonder.
Westport Hotel
From Little River to Westport, the Mendocino Coast plays host to whale festivals throughout the entire month of March. In addition to the festivals, guests can watch the whales from the comfort of the balcony rooms at the historic Westport Hotel. The beautifully renovated hotel stands directly across from the Pacific Ocean and offers stunning views from its balcony rooms and on-site restaurant, The Old Abalone Pub. In March and April, guests can book the Wine and Whales special, which includes 10% off a two-night stay, a complimentary bottle of Mendocino County wine, and use of the inn’s binoculars. The special also includes the inn’s signature two-course breakfast. The offer is valid Thursday through Saturday nights only. Blackout dates apply. Mention this special when booking online or call 707-964-3688.
Inn at Newport Ranch
Set along a mile and a half of rugged Mendocino County coastline, the Inn at Newport Ranch is a stunning destination with a myriad of sites to watch for migrating whales. Guests can hike trails atop the coastal bluffs, settle into oceanfront picnic spots built into the cliffs, gather around an oceanfront fire pit, or soak in a rooftop hot tub overlooking the sea. Several rooms, including the Captain’s Quarters and suites in the Redwood House, have extraordinary ocean views as well. Later this winter, the boutique hotel will feature a whale-watching package. Check back for more details.
Little River Inn
Just south of Mendocino Village, Little River Inn overlooks the Pacific from atop a bluff and offers the chance to see whales from every single room. Guests can relax in rocking chairs lining the decks or even in outdoor hot tubs to take in the views. For mixing whale watching with cocktails, head to Ole’s Whale Watch Bar. With sweeping ocean views, the historic bar got its name from Mendocino’s classic pastime. Owned and operated by the same family for five generations, the Little River Inn is the perfect place to whale watch in cozy comfort. Binoculars can be borrowed upon request.
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
Nestled on a rise above the Mendocino Coast, the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek features historic cottages and cozy guest rooms, including several that are ideal for whale watching. Among the most unique is the Water Tower Cottage. During World War II, the water tower served as a lookout equipped with an anti-aircraft battery for the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the tower is a prime perch to watch for whale spouts and sunsets. The base of the tower holds a private hot tub, and a spiral staircase leads to a platform with breathtaking ocean views. Other cottages and guest rooms offer private or shared decks with views of the sea.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa
Further south on the Mendocino Coast, Elk Cove Inn & Spa sits high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and provides a comfortable perch for whale watching. Guests can gaze out to sea from the gingerbread-trimmed gazebo, outdoor dining deck, and the oceanfront restaurant. Many of the guest rooms also offer stunning ocean views, including the Oceanfront Junior Suites, which feature private decks. The window seats in Surfsong Cottage, Seascape Room, and Baywatch Room also make for a cozy spot to watch for whales. In addition, a private trail connects the inn with trails leading down to the beach and up along the bluffs at Greenwood Creek State Beach.
Timber Cove Resort
Perched on 25 acres of breathtaking coastline, Timber Cove Resort offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean along with abundant wildlife and moody winter skies. Trails running atop the cliffs and a stunning oceanfront fire pit provide the best outdoor spots for whale watching. Inside, most of the guest rooms offer panoramic ocean views as well. The best choices are the Ocean View and Ocean Cove View rooms or any of the suites. The rooms and suites are equipped with binoculars and feature private decks or patios with outdoor furniture. The most common whales seen on the Sonoma Coast are gray whales. Humpback, blue, and orca whales can also be spotted a little further offshore. Guests will also spot a variety of sea birds, harbor seals, and the occasional sea lion.
Beach House Half Moon Bay
Perched on an oceanfront terrace, the Beach House Half Moon Bay is an all-suites boutique hotel with sweeping views of Pillar Point Harbor and the ocean. Guests can spot migrating gray whales from winter to early spring, humpback whales in summer and fall, and other marine life throughout the year. The hotel’s Penthouse and Ocean View Suites offer the best views with private balconies or patios. Ocean Terrace Patio—with its fire pit, heated outdoor pool, and hot tub—is another excellent spot to gaze out over the water. Several whale-watching tours depart from the harbor, which is located within walking distance of the hotel via the coastal trail.
Cypress Inn on Miramar Beach
In Half Moon Bay, guests of the Cypress Inn on Miramar Beach are treated to a front row seat to the gray whale migration. The oceanfront boutique hotel offers panoramic views from most of its guest rooms. Bring a pair of binoculars to gaze out over the water from your private deck, or stroll the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, which runs for four miles along the beach. Back at the hotel, enjoy cozy fireplaces, featherbeds, evening wine and appetizers, and house-made desserts. For those seeking a close-up experience on the water, several seasonal whale watching charters operate from nearby Pillar Point Harbor.
Davenport Roadhouse Inn
Two songs north of Santa Cruz, the town of Davenport was founded in the 1860s by a whaler named Captain John Davenport. From the cliffs, Captain Davenport had watched whales pass close to shore and decided it was a good place to start a whaling business to meet the demand for lamp oil. Directly across from the cliffs, the Davenport Roadhouse Inn stands on the site of the town’s original general store. The family-owned inn offers Highway 1 road trippers a lively waypoint with good food, good vibes, live music, and hip new guest rooms. Rocking chairs on the wrap-around veranda connecting the rooms provide an excellent perch for whale watching. For even more epic views, walk across the road to the oceanfront cliffs that originally lured Captain Davenport.
Monarch Cove Inn
Hidden at the end of a quiet, residential street in Capitola, the Monarch Cove Inn sits high on a cliff overlooking the breathtaking curve of the Monterey Bay. The 2.5-acre oceanfront estate provides an incredible perch for catching sight of migrating gray whales, humpbacks, and other marine life passing through the deep waters of the bay. Guests can follow paths along the cliff’s edge or enjoy the views from the expansive deck overlooking the ocean. In addition to migrating whales, guests can view the hundreds of monarch butterflies that congregate each winter in a protected eucalyptus grove on the estate. The migrating butterflies arrive each year in mid-October and typically stay through mid-February.
Green Gables Inn
With its enviable position at the water’s edge, the newly revamped Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove offers a front-row view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and its abundant wildlife. Whale watching is a year-round activity on the bay, featuring migrating gray whales in winter and spring and humpback and blue whales in summer and fall. From the inn’s dining room and lounge, guests regularly spot whales as well as dolphins, seals, and sea otters. The best guest rooms for whale watching include the Balcony Room with its panoramic ocean views and the Chapel Room with its charming window seat overlooking the bay. The inn provides binoculars upon request. For guests who want to get a more up-close view, the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail is just steps away.
Seven Gables Inn
Also perched on the Pacific Grove coastline, Seven Gables Inn has a prime spot near Lover’s Point. Every room of this 1886 landmark Victorian estate offers sweeping views of the Monterey Bay. Guests often spot whales and other wildlife just outside, including harbor seals that pup on the beach across the way. The inn’s largest room, the elegant Cypress Room, features a 22-foot bay window offering spectacular 180-degree ocean views. Another popular choice is the Breakers Room with cozy seating in a bay window directly overlooking the water. Breakfast in the oceanfront dining room provides yet another setting to watch for whales.
On the Beach Bed & Breakfast
Cayucos is another great spot to watch for humpback whales and migrating gray whales on the Central Coast. Overlooking the water and the sands of Cayucos State Beach, On the Beach Bed & Breakfast provides excellent vantage points from its second-floor rooms (rooms 201-204) and rooftop deck. The spacious, second-floor rooms each feature private balconies with cozy seating and full ocean views. On the rooftop deck, guests can watch for whales while relaxing around the fire pit. Just steps away, guests can also stroll out on the historic Cayucos Pier to catch sight of more marine wildlife.
Blue Lantern Inn
Perched on a bluff above Dana Point Harbor in Southern California, the Blue Lantern Inn offers unparalleled ocean views and whale-watching opportunities. The views can be enjoyed from the inn’s terraced patio and many of its guest rooms, including the Tower Rooms and Pacific Edge Rooms with private balconies or patios. Guests in the third-floor Luxury Tower guestroom have the best views of all, aided by an in-room telescope. For even more panoramic views, the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area behind the inn offers bluff-top hiking trails and scenic overlooks. At the harbor, whale-watching cruises depart several times daily, offering an up-close view of the whales.