December through April every year, San Diego is witness to a unique natural phenomenon as the biggest annual migration of mammals over the longest distance takes place to reach the San Diego shores. Yes, we are talking about the peaceful “giants of the sea”, the whales, who travel a 5,000-mile southern journey to leave behind the freezing seas of Alaska and reach the warm water lagoons of Baja California.

Comfortably secure in the warm waters, the whales give birth and rear their young, and the event creates a delightful experience for nature lovers. San Diego, with its 70-mile long sun-kissed coastline offers a unique whale watching experience. If you are a nature lover, then this is best time to take a San Diego vacation. Check out the best San Diego vacation rentals from where the San Diego beaches are nearby.

The city of San Diego lines up a slew of whale watching events from December through May, such as the Big Bay Whale Days with “Whale of a Deal” discounted opportunities, a free Whale Festival and discounted cruises. A range of whale watching cruises, excursions and festivals pack the city’s events calendar.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps with its outdoor tide-pool plaza, overlooking La Jolla’s shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, offers a great whale watching experience. The aquarium celebrates the season during late December through March with “WhaleFest”, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to learn about these leviathans through a host of educational activities and whale exhibits. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is also hosting a six-day Whale Watching Expedition on March 23-28.

The Cabrillo National Monument, located on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula, offers a glassed-in observatory and a picturesque national park where the visitors can view the whales in the magnificent tide pools.

If you are interested in getting into some close encounters with the whales, go for the exciting whale watching cruises and excursions. San Diego’s whale watching calendar is packed with adventure cruises, tours and both brief and extended excursions offered by various tour operators.

For example, the La Jolla Kayak provides 2.5-hour tours where you get to experience close encounters with grey whales and other marine life including sea lions, garibaldi and leopard sharks. Another great 4-hour whale watching tour can be taken on the 139-ft. long sailing yacht, America, a historic replica of the world’s first America’s Cup winner, during December 19 – April 15, and this excursion offers some of the best opportunities for photographing whales up close.

Some other popular cruises include the 3.5-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruises offered by Hornblower Cruises and Events in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum from December 11 through April 17. H&M Landing offers daily 3-hour whale watching cruises from mid-December through mid-March, and 6-hour cruises from December through May. OEX Dive & Kayak Centers offers visitors a 2.5-hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour from December to March. Adventure RIB Rides offers a thrilling whale watching excursion aboard an authentic 30’ Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) from December 15 to April 15.

If you do not want to miss experiencing the whales this year, reserve your rooms now in an affordable San Diego hotel which is located close to the beaches and La Jolla. You can even opt for an affordable extended stay hotel in San Diego if you want to enjoy a longer San Diego vacation devoted to your passion for whale watching.

Located within minutes away from La Jolla and other sun-soaked beaches of San Diego, the California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget San Diego vacation rental which offers fine accommodation at affordable prices. Apart from spacious rooms, Internet access, complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking; the hotel has a scenic, peaceful ambience and a large outdoor heated swimming pool. You can also get some great discounts on room rates which are among the best hotel prices anywhere in San Diego.

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