Big Sur Activities, Facilities, and Services
Wildlife Viewing in Big Sur
Many kinds of wildlife are visible all year long in Big Sur. Others are seasonal:
- December through early February: the gray whale migrates south to Mexico.
- February through April: the gray whale migrates north to the north Pacific.
- June through October: blue whale.
- late April through early December: humpback whale.
- December through March: elephant seal breeding season.
- October to January: Monarch butterflies.
It is possible to see whales from any point from which you can see the ocean. Wildlife viewing is featured at the following locations in the Big Sur region:
- Carmel River State Beach (south access)
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Garrapata State Park
- Rocky Point
- Bottchers Gap
- Rocky Creek Bridge
- Bixby Creek Bridge / Coast Road (north end)
- Point Sur Lightstation State Historic Park
- Andrew Molera State Park / Coast Road (south end)
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Sycamore Canyon Road (to Pfeiffer Beach)
- Big Sur Center and Loma Vista vicinity
- Partington Canyon Trail (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)
- Burns North Vista Point (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Big Creek Bridge
- North Gamboa Vista Point
- Lucia
- Limekiln State Park
- Kirk Creek Campground
- Mill Creek
- Pacific Valley
- Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area
- Jade Cove
- Willow Creek Picnic Area
- Gorda
- Ragged Point Inn vicinity
- Point Piedras Blancas Vista Points
- Hearst Castle® vicinity
For more detailed information, see the resources listed on the Books and Maps page.
