 There are two ways to go about this: You can charter a boat and
get up close and cozy with a California gray whale, or you can
just keep glancing out to sea every time you’re on a bluff
hiking, biking, walking or driving. Chances are excellent that
you’ll eventually spot a plume of water spouting from a
blowhole. Carry binoculars and you may get to see the
magnificent mammals breaching the surface of the water. Several
boats congregating in close proximity often means they’ve
spotted a pod, so keep your eyes open.
 To take advantage of the California gray whale's 12,000-mile
migratory route from a Gold Beach standpoint, you’ll want to be
in town between December and May. Till February they’re heading
south as far as the Arctic, and tend to travel to 2 miles
offshore; from March through May they’re on their way back
north, and cruise closer in, just beyond the surfline. The rest
of the year you might catch sight of one of the "locals" —
whales that have taken up permanent residence off the Oregon
coast. Early morning and late evening, when the water is calm,
are best times.
For land-based sightings, look for vantage points all along
the Oregon coast with big "Whale Watching Spoken Here" signs.
Trained volunteers help you hone in on the giants, and answer
questions like, "What’s spy hopping?" Best local vantage point
is Cape Sebastian, five miles south of Gold Beach.
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