Whale watching from Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Channel, between the city and the Channel Islands, is one of the best places in California to see whales. Gray whales pass on their migration from about December to April, heading south to Baja California to calve and returning north with their young. From late spring to autumn, humpback whales and the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, come to feed. Dolphins are seen on almost every trip.

The Condor Express runs half-day and full-day trips from Santa Barbara Harbor all year, and other boats go out from the harbor and nearby Ventura. Dress warmly, as it's cold and windy out on the channel even in summer, and take seasickness tablets if you need them.