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Travel News: San Diego Gets Ready for Whale Watch Months |
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Travel News from Around the U.S. and the Oregon Coast - including Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
10/24/07
Secrets of the Season |
Travel News: San Diego Gets Ready for Whale Watch Months
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| Whale watch photo courtesy Hornblower Cruises and Events |
(San Diego, California) - From December through March, visitors to San Diego have the unique opportunity to glimpse one of nature’s most extraordinary events: the migration of California gray whales from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California where they birth and rear their young.
Along the way, of course, they slink past the Oregon coast, with Oregon emphasizing that possibility the last week of December. But it all begins further south, for those travelers who want to get more whale time during the winter months.
Each winter, tens of thousands of these “peaceful giants of the sea” come within a few miles of the San Diego coast on their 5,000-mile southern journey, the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis. With 70 miles of coastline, San Diego makes an ideal location for viewing this impressive parade. During the peak migration season in mid-January, as many as 200 whales per day have been counted off of San Diego’s shores.
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| Watching cruise with Scripps Aquarium, San Diego (courtesy photo) |
Numerous possibilities flood the tourist with options for getting your whale on. A large section of southern California opens its doors to land lubbers looking for the great beasts. Those include:
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Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego's picturesque national park, is situated on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula and offers a glass enclosed observatory overlook from which to spot whales during migration season. Visitors can also explore whale exhibits and listen to a taped narration describing characteristics of these popular animals. Cabrillo's Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival on January 19-20, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. features presentations, exhibits and films. Rangers are on hand throughout the weekend to assist visitors in spotting the whales and exploring the park’s magnificent tide pools. Admission is $5 per private vehicle. www.nps.gov/cabr
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| Beaches of Del Mar (courtesy San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau) |
From late December through March, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps celebrates the gray whale season with educational activities and whale exhibits. The aquarium's outdoor tide-pool plaza, overlooking La Jolla's shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the gray whale's epic journey. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
Whale Watching by Sea - Day Excursions
From December 26, 2007 to March 30, 2008, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps and San Diego Harbor Excursion team up for narrated, 3.5-hour whale watching cruises out of San Diego Bay; two cruises depart daily, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Birch Aquarium naturalists narrate the tours, and guests receive gray whale fact sheets. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, with a full galley onboard. Reservations are recommended. Ticket prices are $27 for adults on Monday-Friday, $30 for adults on weekends and a daily $15 ticket price for children. www.sdhe.com, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
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Classic Sailing Adventures features two exhilarating trips daily aboard its quiet sailing yacht, beginning in mid-December and continuing until the end of March. The 4-hour excursions depart at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; tickets are $75 per person and include beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Reservations are required. www.classicsailingadventures.com
H&M Landing offers 3-hour whale watching cruises from mid-December 2007 through mid-March 2008, and 5-hour cruises from December 2007 through April 2008. All cruises include informative narrations on the whales, outdoor seating and a galley with hot food and beverages. Daily departure times for the 3-hour tours are 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for juniors (13-17 years old) and $17.50 for children (2-12 years old). The 5-hour tours depart daily at 10 a.m. and take sightseers into Mexican waters and the wildlife sanctuary of the Coronado Islands. Ticket prices are $50 for adults and $40 for juniors and children. Special group rates are available upon request. H&M guarantees to take guests out to sea again for free if no whales are spotted. www.hmlanding.com
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Hornblower Cruises and Events offers 3.5-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruises in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum from December 15, 2007 through April 6, 2008. Passengers receive a professional narration on the whales’ migration and other marine life. The boat features snack bars, binocular rentals, climate-controlled indoor seating, and a museum-curated whale exhibit with fossils and video. Expeditions depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; ticket prices are $30 for adults and $15 for children (4-12 years old). Discounts are available for seniors, groups and military personnel. Hornblower guarantees to take guests out to sea again for free if no whales are spotted. www.hornblower.com
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
OEX Dive & Kayak Centers offers visitors a 2.5-hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour, available December 15, 2007 through March 9, 2008. The approximate one-mile paddle tour launches daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from La Jolla Shores; the cost is $60 for a single kayak and $110 for a double kayak. Prices include transportation of the kayak to and from the beach, kayak rental, guided tour, life vest, paddle, and wetsuit. www.oexcalifornia.com.
San Diego visitors can experience a thrilling whale watching excursion aboard an authentic 30’ Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) through Adventure RIB Rides. Passengers enjoy a fast ride to the ocean, allowing more time for whale spotting, as they learn about the natural and migration habits of the whales from the U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, who also serves as the on-board naturalist. Groups up to six passengers can charter the entire boat for $200 per hour; public tours are offered on Friday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Ticket prices are $85 for adults and $65 for children (5-12 years old). www.adventureribrides.com
During January-March 2008, Next Level Sailing is offering a unique whale watching experience aboard the America, a historic replica of the world’s first America’s Cup winner. The 139-ft. long sailing yacht can accommodate up to 80 guests and is perfectly suited for whale watching because of its low sleek lines, deep keel for stability and the ability to quietly approach the whales under sail without using noisy engine power. The yacht’s low sweeping deck also gives guests a great vantage point for photographing the whales up-close. The four-hour whale watching excursion departs every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. from the San Diego Marriott Marina behind Seaport Village. Excursions cost $75 for adults and $35 for children (12 years old and under). The trip includes soft beverages, snacks, narration about whale migration habits, history on the America, and an update on the current America’s Cup race. This is the first time the general public is invited to experience the America; normally the yacht is only available for private charter. www.americayacht.com
Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside
Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites,
1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people.
Rent entire property for 20-26. Close to beach, river and Broadway
St. |
Whale Watching by Air
For a bird’s eye view of the gray whale migration, Biplane, Air Combat & Warbird Adventures offers picturesque flights along the coast. Flying at least 1,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, passengers have a unique opportunity to view the whales at full length, swimming in pods. Flights depart from McClellan-Palomar Airport in the North County city of Carlsbad. www.barnstorming.com
Special Expeditions
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is hosting an exciting Weekend Whale Adventure in Baja on February 15-18 and March 13-16, 2008. This motor coach tour along the Baja California coast includes an overnight stay in Ensenada, guided boat ride in Ojo de Liebre - also known as Scammon's Lagoon, the famed breeding and calving grounds for the gray whales - and short visits to pristine salt marshes, the Vizcaino Desert and prehistoric cave paintings. Cost is $500 per person, double occupancy. During February 20-25, March 5-9 and March 19-23, guests can also join the Birch Aquarium at Scripps on another wet and wild adventure to Mexico with its extended overnight Whale Watching Safaris, which features the sites included in the Weekend Whale Adventure plus the secluded Bahia de San Ignacio, where exhilarating guided boat rides offer close encounters with the gray whales. Cost is $705 per person, double occupancy. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
During
February 21-24, 2007, visitors can join the San Diego Natural History
Museum on a trip to Mexico called A Taste of Baja - Seasoned with Whales
and Rock Art. Highlights include an overnight stay in Ensenada and an
unforgettable boat ride among whales in Scammon's Lagoon, one of Baja
California's most pristine locales. Side excursions to a pristine bird-filled
marsh in Guerrrero Negro and the Vizcaino Desert to view ancient cave
paintings round out the trip. Cost is $520 for museum members and $570
for non-members, which includes transportation, accommodations, travel
insurance, breakfasts, some lunches, snacks, drinks, and activities. Minimum
age requirement is 6 years old. www.sdnhm.org
Pacific Sea Fari Tours, in conjunction with H&M Landing, is offering seagoing expeditions to Baja California's beautiful and remote islands and coastal areas, including breeding lagoons of the gray whale; trips run from nine to 11 days in February and March 2008. Guests enjoy naturalist-led nature walks, including beach combing, dune and marsh explorations, slide and film presentations, and up-close encounters with whales. Prices start at $2,100; all shipboard accommodations, meals and snacks are included. www.hmlanding.com
For more information on San Diego, including vacation packages and valuable coupons on attractions, dining and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org. In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego (619-236-1212), and the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla.
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
STARFISH
POINT Newport - Offers only the finest in luxury condominium
lodging. Every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the
beach. |
Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
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