Wheelchair-Accessible Whale Watching Along the Pacific Coast
Whale watching season is in full swing along the Pacific Coast, as gray whales begin their annual migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California. Typically this yearly journey begins in late December and lasts until the end of January. After the whales give birth in the warm southern waters, they return north, usually in late February or March. And the good news is, these massive creatures can usually be spotted from shore during those migratory months. So grab your binoculars and check out some of these wheelchair-accessible whale watching venues along the Pacific coast.
Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail – The Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center on the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail
Fort Bragg Trail Offers Excellent Wheelchair Access
Located off Highway 1 in Mendocino, the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail is the perfect place to spot migrating whales. Although there are good vantage points along the entire length of this five-mile barrier-free trail, the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center (thewhaletrail.org/sites/noyo-center-for-marine-science/ ) also offers a lowered spotting scope on their deck. Check their hours though, as the scope is only available when the interpretive center is open. The Crow’s Nest is located a pleasant .75 mile stroll from the Cypress Avenue parking lot.
Located off Highway 1 in Mendocino, the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail is the perfect place to spot migrating whales. Although there are good vantage points along the entire length of this five-mile barrier-free trail, the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center (thewhaletrail.org/sites/noyo-center-for-marine-science/ ) also offers a lowered spotting scope on their deck. Check their hours though, as the scope is only available when the interpretive center is open. The Crow’s Nest is located a pleasant .75 mile stroll from the Cypress Avenue parking lot.
MacKerricher State Park – Laguna Point
Viewing platform at MacKerricher State Park
Looking for Gray Whales? Head to MacKerricher State Park
Located about three miles north of Fort Bragg, MacKerricher State Park offers a great wheelchair-accessible whale viewing spot at Laguna Point. Accessible parking and restrooms are located near the barrier-free .6-mile Laguna Point boardwalk trail. The loop trail is wide and level, and culminates in an equally accessible ocean viewpoint. Not only is Laguna Point an excellent whale watching site, but it also offers a sweeping ocean view.
Located about three miles north of Fort Bragg, MacKerricher State Park offers a great wheelchair-accessible whale viewing spot at Laguna Point. Accessible parking and restrooms are located near the barrier-free .6-mile Laguna Point boardwalk trail. The loop trail is wide and level, and culminates in an equally accessible ocean viewpoint. Not only is Laguna Point an excellent whale watching site, but it also offers a sweeping ocean view.
Point Cabrillo – Light Station
Point Cabrillo Light Station
Spend the Day — and Night — at Wheelchair Accessible Point Cabrillo Light Station
Located off of Highway 1, just north of the quaint village of Mendocino, this remote light station offers an nice ocean – and whale watching – view. Although standard parking is available in a remote lot, accessible parking is located near the light station, with level access over to the building. There’s a level sidewalk to wheel around the light station for a prime whale watching vantage point. And if you’d like to spend the night, two of the rental cottages are wheelchair-accessible.
Located off of Highway 1, just north of the quaint village of Mendocino, this remote light station offers an nice ocean – and whale watching – view. Although standard parking is available in a remote lot, accessible parking is located near the light station, with level access over to the building. There’s a level sidewalk to wheel around the light station for a prime whale watching vantage point. And if you’d like to spend the night, two of the rental cottages are wheelchair-accessible.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens – South Trail Overlook
South Trail at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Wheelchair-Accessible Upgrades at Mendocino Botanical Gardens
Although the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden boasts an impressive collection of Northern California plants, it also offers some dramatic ocean views. The most accessible trail in the garden is the South Trail, which is wide, level and paved. This half-mile trail meanders through the gardens and out to a coastal bluff, which offers a nice vantage point to spot the migrating whales. It’s a good idea to check the garden’s website (www.gardenbythesea.org) before you head out though, to see if advance reservations are required.
Although the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden boasts an impressive collection of Northern California plants, it also offers some dramatic ocean views. The most accessible trail in the garden is the South Trail, which is wide, level and paved. This half-mile trail meanders through the gardens and out to a coastal bluff, which offers a nice vantage point to spot the migrating whales. It’s a good idea to check the garden’s website (www.gardenbythesea.org) before you head out though, to see if advance reservations are required.
San Luis Obispo – Avila Beach Pier
The Avila Beach Pier in San Luis Obisbo
It’s Gray Whale Watching Season Along the Central California Coast!
An official Whale Trail site (thewhaletrail.org/), the Avila Beach Pier is located on Front Street in San Luis Obispo. There’s accessible street parking, and level access to the 1,685-foot pier. Even if you can’t make it all the way to the end of the pier, you can still get a good view near the parking area and Whale Trail sign. And if you work up an appetite while scanning the horizon for whales, there’s an accessible pedestrian mall packed with eateries that runs along Front Street.
An official Whale Trail site (thewhaletrail.org/), the Avila Beach Pier is located on Front Street in San Luis Obispo. There’s accessible street parking, and level access to the 1,685-foot pier. Even if you can’t make it all the way to the end of the pier, you can still get a good view near the parking area and Whale Trail sign. And if you work up an appetite while scanning the horizon for whales, there’s an accessible pedestrian mall packed with eateries that runs along Front Street.
New Florence, Oregon – Umpqua River Lighthouse
The Umpqua River Lighthouse
Upscale Oregon Yurt Features Excellent Wheelchair Access
Lighthouse sites are top picks for whale watching, and the area around the Umpqua River Lighthouse is no exception. Built in 1857, this landmark guards the entrance to Winchester Bay; and although the lighthouse itself is not wheelchair-accessible, there’s an accessible ocean overlook across the street. It’s just a short level walk from the accessible parking space, and it’s the perfect place to spot whales. And if you’d like to spend the night, Umpqua River Lighthouse State Park also offers a wheelchair-accessible yurt that includes a small kitchen, and a bathroom with a roll-in shower.
Lighthouse sites are top picks for whale watching, and the area around the Umpqua River Lighthouse is no exception. Built in 1857, this landmark guards the entrance to Winchester Bay; and although the lighthouse itself is not wheelchair-accessible, there’s an accessible ocean overlook across the street. It’s just a short level walk from the accessible parking space, and it’s the perfect place to spot whales. And if you’d like to spend the night, Umpqua River Lighthouse State Park also offers a wheelchair-accessible yurt that includes a small kitchen, and a bathroom with a roll-in shower.
Lighthouse Field State Beach – Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Monarch cluster at Lighthouse Field State Beach
Monarchs Emerge From Hibernation Along Northern California Coast
Although the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum has limited hours, the ocean view behind it is available all day. The museum is located in Lighthouse Field State Beach on West Cliff Drive in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. There’s accessible parking near the museum, with a level pathway around the building to the oceanside view. There’s also an accessible trail that leads in both directions along the coast. Not only can you catch a gander of the migrating whales in the distance, but you’ll also be treated to a good show by the resident surfers.
Although the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum has limited hours, the ocean view behind it is available all day. The museum is located in Lighthouse Field State Beach on West Cliff Drive in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. There’s accessible parking near the museum, with a level pathway around the building to the oceanside view. There’s also an accessible trail that leads in both directions along the coast. Not only can you catch a gander of the migrating whales in the distance, but you’ll also be treated to a good show by the resident surfers.
Olympic National Park – Beach Four
Ocean view at Kalaloch Lodge
Last but certainly not least, the coastal slice of Olympic National Park offers some great ocean views. More specifically Beach Four — which is just north of Kalaloch Lodge, off of Highway 101 – is the place to go for whale watching. A hard-packed dirt trail leads from the parking area out to a beach overlook, where there’s plenty or room for a wheelchair and a small bench for slow walkers. And if you’d like to spend the night, nearby Kalaloch Lodge (https://www.thekalalochlodge.com/) has a nice accessible cottage with a roll-in shower.
More Wheelchair-Accessible Coastal Activities
Central California Coastal Trails
