San Diego Whale Watching – Best Tours, Season & Tips [2025]

I have lived in San Diego for over a decade and still don’t get tired of going whale watching. Luckily, I get a lot of out-of-town visitors each year and they all seem to be happy to go on a San Diego whale watching trip with me. Over the years, I have gone numerous times with various whale watching tours and have some great recommendations on my favorite San Diego whale watching tours and tips for your excursion. When Is San Diego Whale Watching Season?San Diego whale watching season is year-round, but the best time is between December and April when 20,000+ grey whales migrate along the San Diego coast. Other species, such as blue whales or fin whales can be spotted throughout the whole year. Humpback WhalesGrey Whale Watching Season San Diego20,000 Grey whales pass San Diego on their southward journey between December and January on their way to Baja California, Mexico. The highest concentration of Grey whales in the San Diego area is usually in Mid-January, where up to 8 animals pass through the area per hour.On their way back north to their arctic home, the Grey whales pass San Diego in March and April heading north. Blue Whale Watching Season in San DiegoIf you missed the great grey whale migration in San Diego in the winter/spring, don’t fret. San Diego blue whale season is from Mid-June to September.The waters around San Diego are a popular feeding spot. A few miles out from shore, there is a steep cliff in the ocean floor, where plankton is flourishing. Supposedly, the pod that feeds off the coast of San Diego is about 2-3000 animals strong. Blue Whale Whale Watching Season in San Diego – Other WhalesMost Humpback whales spend their winters in the tropical paradise of Hawaii. However, there is a pod of about 2-3000 animals that flock from Alaska to Southern California instead. Minke whales are small, stocky whales with a pointy snout. The pods in California are considered residential whales as they live here permanently, while their cousins in Alaska migrate south. Fin whales, the second largest whale, also like to hang around the San Diego waters. They are huge AND fast, reaching up to 23 miles per hour. Fin whales do migrate, but there is a large population present in the waters of California, Oregon and Washington. Humpback Whale Cheap Whale Watching Tour TicketsI usually check Groupon, Viator, or GetYourGuide for the best deals on San Diego whale watching tours. Depending on the season, duration, type, and tour, you can find tickets as cheap as 20-30$ per person. As usual, the smaller the boat, and the deeper you are in the high season, the more expensive it gets. The sailboat whale-watching tours and private tours are of course the most expensive, but they are also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.If you are willing to drive a bit further north, like Dana Point or Newport Beach, you can find even cheaper deals, starting at 8-12$ per person. It is quite a drive though, especially with traffic and I personally have never done that. But our contributor Noreen recently went on a Whale Watching Tour in Dana Point. Wild common Dolphins – You’ll most like see some of thoseWhat are the Best San Diego Whale Watching ToursFlagship Cruises Whale Watching TourI really like this tour by Flagship Cruises, because it is run by the Birch Aquarium, which is part of the world-renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego. This tour is on a pretty big ship, so it is great if you are prone to seasickness. They have restrooms, a little snack bar, and indoor/outdoor seating. They are also wheelchair accessible (I would recommend to contact them beforehand to make sure they have everything you need).They have a naturalist on board who will tell you a lot about the various whales, and interesting facts about their breeds and behavior. The tour is fun, but also extremely educational and I highly recommend it. Check Groupon for Flagship Cruise Deals>>Check Viator for Flagship Whale Watching ToursSail San Diego Whale WatchingThis is a sailboat whale watching tour for small groups of 6 people max. While it is not cheap, you are guaranteed a great time out on the water, whether you see whales or not. Check Groupon for Sail San Diego Deals>>Check Viator for Sail San Diego Whale WatchingSail San Diego Whale WatchingLa Jolla Kayak & Whale Watching TourThis tour gets you up close and personal with the whales, as you will be in a kayak, not a boat. You will feel the size of these majestic animals as you paddle on the coast of La Jolla. I would recommend this tour only to people who are reasonably fit and people who have kayaked before, as you will be pretty far out from shore.Check Viator for Whale Watching Kayak ToursWhale Watching TipsDress warm and in layers. The temperature out at sea can be significantly colder than on the coast (up to 20-30 F). Add a little breeze or some mist and you can be uncomfortably cold during the 2-3 hour trip. Add a rain jacket, just in case you catch some rain while out there. You don’t want to be stuck inside, when the whales show up. Take motion sickness medication early. It can take quite a while to show effect, so you don’t have to suffer while you wait for your medication to kick in. Also, bring some dried ginger to chew on and keep your eyes on the horizon. I also recommend taking an early morning whale watching tour and don’t eat until after. Protect yourself from the sun. The rays reflect from the water and can lead to a nasty sunburn, if you are not careful. As it is usually much cooler and you always feel a breeze out on the water, you probably won’t realize until it is too late. Put on your sunscreen and pack your sunglasses and a hat and protect yourself. Grey whale blowing airTake the morning tour. From what I have heard during various tours, the morning tours have higher success rates of seeing whales. If you are visiting from out of town, schedule your whale watching tour early during your stay. Most companies will give you a free voucher if you don’t see whales. If you go whale watching on your last day, you probably won’t have another chance to take advantage of your free voucher. On the other hand, that might lead to another trip back to San Diego, which is never a bad idea. What To PackMotion sickness medicationDried gingerA thick jacket or thick sweaterA raincoatSunglassesA hat (make sure it fits tightly, or it could be blown off)SunscreenA camera (preferably with a zoom lens)A waterproof bag, to protect your camera, phone and valuables in case it rainsWhale Watching San DiegoBest Spots To Go Whale Watching in San Diego From The CoastBirch Sea AquariumThe Birch Sea Aquarium is part of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UCSD in La Jolla. They have a conservation project going on and showcase the local wildlife to visitors. From the Birch Aquarium Terrace, you will have a splendid view over the La Jolla coastline and it is easy to spot whales from there. Get your City Pass tickets for the Birch Sea Aquarium here>> Whale Watching from Birch Sea Aquarium La JollaCabrillo National MonumentCabrillo National Monument in Point Loma is also a great spot to go whale watching in San Diego from land. You are pretty high up and when the weather is right, you can see for miles and miles. As this is a National Monument, you have to pay an entrance fee of ~10 per person (walk-ins) or ~$30 per car. Plan your visit to Cabrillo National Monument here>>Torrey Pines State ParkTorrey Pines is not only famous for its gorgeous golf course, but also for the stunning Torrey Pines State Park. It is one of my favorite hiking spots in San Diego and you can enjoy sweeping views over the coast. It is a great spot to go whale watching from land in San Diego. Admission runs about 12-15$ per car, depending on demand. It is a favorite spot for locals and tourists, so if you can avoid visiting on the weekend, I’d recommend it. > (opens in a new tab)” href=”http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=657″ target=”_blank”>Plan your visit to Torrey Pines State Park here>>Torrey Pines Beach and Coast in San Diego, CaliforniaWhale Watching in San Diego is a lot of fun and you have a few options for almost any budget. Seeing these majestic creatures out in the wild is an amazing experience and if you have the chance, whether you are a San Diego local or just visiting, I would highly recommend it. Whale Watching in San Diego was written by Maria Haase for SanDiegoExplorer.comSan Diego Whale Watching – Pin for Later:Last Updated on February 10, 2025 by Maria HaaseThe post San Diego Whale Watching – Best Tours, Season & Tips [2025] appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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Carlsbad Flower Fields: 2025 Guide & Top Tips

70 million individual flowers bloom each season at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. 70 million! For over 60 years have the colorful Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers transformed the fields at Carlsbad Ranch in North San Diego County into a 55-acre ocean of colorful flowers. Visiting the Flower Fields in Carlsbad feels like walking through a Monet painting and is an incredible experience. It is simply stunning! The Carlsbad Flower Fields are a favorite springtime activity for locals and tourists alike. The attraction has become part of the area’s local heritage and a yearly tradition for many San Diegans, California and even among the largest in the United States. I was recently invited to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields and here are my top tips for you to plan your visit, pick the best time to go, and my favorite places in the exhibition. “It raises your mood, is what happens at the Flower Fields!”Fred Clarke, General Manager at the Flower FieldsQuick Facts Carlsbad Flower Fields 2025Dates: March 1 – May 11, 2025Address: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008Phone: (760) 431-0352WebsiteOpening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PMCost: Tickets start at $17 for kids (3-10), $25 for military & seniors, $27 for adults, and $33 (kids), $52 (seniors & military) and $57 (adults) for a season pass + Service chargeTickets: Tickets must be purchased online here and are timed for date and time>>Special Offers: There are various special offers to save you some money, such as opening week special, Monday child special, and Thursday senior special. Take a look at the calendar here to buy your tickets. Best Time to Go – Carlsbad Flower FieldsThe annual burst of color is at its peak in spring and the Carlsbad Flower Fields are open every year from early March through early May. In 2025 the flowers are blooming early. However, the various flower fields are maintained throughout the season and will be spectacular to look at throughout the whole season.The best time to go to the Carlsbad Flower Fields is during the week and early in the morning. Tuesdays are the least busy days. It will be a lot less busy than during the weekend. However, since they implemented the online ticketing program, where visitors book their time slot in advance, crowds have become a thing of the past. If you plan to take pictures, early morning or late afternoon will make for some stunning photos as the golden hour warms the scene and can make for some stunning photos. Another magical moment is sunset, of course. Watch the sun drop into the Pacific in the distance with the slope of colorful flowers in your foreground. While you might want to dismiss rainy or overcast days for a visit to the flower fields, you might have the fields almost to yourself and can take some fantastic macro photos of raindrops on the flower petals or make the colors pop even more with a grey sky backdrop. Also, you don’t have to deal with pesky shadows and washed-out colors when photographing the flowers. Photo Credit: Wagstaff Media & MarketingPlan Your VisitAttractions & Things to DoTractor Wagon RideAmerican Flag Flower FieldOrchid GreenhouseDemonstration GardenIllusion GardenButterfly GardenSea of SunflowersArtist Garden & Bird AviariesU-Pick BlueberriesHistoric Poinsettia DisplaySanta’s PlaygroundSweet Pea MazeCarlsbad Mining CompanyEventsFlower Flow Yoga at the Flower Fields Sunset Wine Tasting Tea in the GardenCanon Photography Workshop Girl Scout Days Workshops ConcertsWhere to Eat Pizza Trolley | Sweet Swirls Ice Cream | Strawberry Shack | Kettle Corn | Taco Trolley | Cotton CandyCarlsbad Flower Fields 5 Top TipsDuring my visit at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, I had the chance to chat with Fred Clarke, the General Manager of the Flower Fields and I asked him about some of the top tips for visiting. Here is what he shared with me:Tip 1: Monday – Thursday are the least busy days of the week. Avoid weekends and holidays, especially Easter and Mother’s Day if you prefer to avoid crowds. Tuesdays are usually the slowest day of the week. Tip 2: Best time to come is Mid-April. Fred says: “Pay your taxes done and then come to the Flower Fields!”Tip 3: Watch the sunset from the top of the field. Tip 4: Make sure your phone is fully charged and take lots of photos. Tip 5: Sit on the right side of the Wagon to get a full view of the flower fields during the wagon ride.If you are a San Diego local, you have probably driven by the Flower Fields in Carlsbad and thought to yourself: “I should really go there this season.” But then the season is over before you get to it. Don’t let this happen this year! Go book your tickets to the Flower Fields now and make it happen this year!Flower Fields in Carlsbad – Pin for Later:Last Updated on February 13, 2025 by Maria HaaseThe post Carlsbad Flower Fields: 2025 Guide & Top Tips appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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Best Korean BBQ in San Diego [2025]

There is something so cozy about the sizzling of the meat, the heat of the Gochugaru, the tang of the kimchi, and the burn of the soju going down your throat as you toast with your family or friends around the grill. Luckily, we have quite a few delicious options for Korean BBQ in San Diego to satisfy your craving, whether you are looking for a high-end place serving wagyu beef or AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) Korean BBQ spots for a filling meat feast. We’re sure you’ll find something you like in this guide to the best Korean BBQ in San Diego. Also Read:Best Ramen in San DiegoBest restaurants in San DiegoKogi Korean BBQGood times, top-quality meat, and pitchers of soju are what Kogi in Kearny Mesa does best.Fresh shrimp, juicy beef belly, and steak salads are some of Kogi’s best-loved bites, and their cheesy corn, crunchy sides, and pickled veggies make for the perfect side dishes, or ‘banchan’ as they’re known in Korea.Kogi is perhaps best known for their late-night unlimited dining special for just $28. To avail of this deal, make sure you arrive after 9 PM.DJK Korean BBQWe’re kicking things off in Kearny Mesa at DJK Korean BBQ, which is currently the only restaurant of its kind in San Diego that uses a charcoal grill.This cooking method gives the meat tons of extra flavor, and they offer a range of sharing platters based on the size of your party, from $58 for two to three people. These include meats like bulgogi beef or marinated rib eye, plus a bottle of soju, Korea’s most beloved spirit.Thanks to the super friendly staff, the atmosphere here is always excellent.Manna BBQManna BBQ on Convoy is another heavy hitter when it comes to San Diego Korean BBQs. They also have branches in the likes of Chula Vista and Mira Mesa, National City, and San Marcos.Manna has two options for their all-you-can-eat menu: their standard selection of classics like spicy bulgogi, garlic pork belly, and baby octopus for $29, and the premium offering that features shrimp, beef tongue, and pork cheek for less than $35.The waiters here are always attentive, but because of how busy it can get, there’s a button you can press to get someone’s attention whenever you need something.356 Korean BBQ & BarOne of the trendiest spots in town for a tasty Korean BBQ has to be 356BBQ in Mission Valley.Here, you’ll put your grilling skills to the test in a loft-like setting with red brick interiors and wooden furnishings. There’s great value for money to be found at 356, particularly if you visit between 12 and 3 PM midweek for their $25 lunch special. Beef brisket, curry pork belly, kimchi stew, and cheese fondue are just some of the dishes you can expect.356 doubles as a sports bar, so arrive early if you’re dining clashes with a big game.Prime Grill Korean BBQ & RestaurantPrime Grill is another addition to this list that lies in San Diego’s Asian food capital, Convoy Street.Four different all-you-can-eat packages are yours to choose from, starting with the $29 option filled with marinated pork neck, teriyaki beef belly, and chicken BBQ, right up to the $52 supreme menu with prime short rib and chuck flap tail. They also have a staggering amount of desserts to choose from if you have any space left after your meal.Sleek but casual, Prime Grill is an ideal family-friendly dinner spot.Gen Korean BBQ HouseA long-time favorite haunt in San Diego for Korean eats is Gen in Mira Mesa, just off the Falcon Highway.This Korean BBQ chain offers a midweek lunch deal that is among the most affordable ways to enjoy Korean BBQ in the city. You’ll have your pick of 29 different dishes for under $22. Sirloin steak, Hawaiian pork belly, and cajun shrimp are some of the mouthwatering options on the agenda, which you’ll feast on over the course of 90 minutes.With its bright lighting, dark interior, and drink selection, Gen almost resembles a glamorous late-night bar.Photos provided by Gen Korean BBQShozen BBQShozen BBQ is a laidback Korean eatery just east of Mira Mesa that also prepares some incredible fresh sushi daily.The portions here are notoriously generous, and their top dishes include their mixed seafood platter of shrimp, scallop, and squid or their divine ribeye, both of which come with all the essential sides, salads, and plentiful helpings of rice. That’s all before mentioning the cold udon noodles, curry soups, and sushi.Wash down your delicious spread with bokbunja, Korean wine, or Japanese sake.Handoo Korean BBQCook up a storm with the help of your server at Handoo in Seoul Plaza in Kearny Mesa.Straight-up all-you-can-eat is what the team at Handoo specializes in, and two different variations are available for either $28 or $34. The basic deal includes 16 dishes like spicy squid, veal intestine, and pork bulgogi, while the upgraded version has additions like marinated beef ribs and lamb.Best of all, there are a bunch of tables both inside and on the outdoor patio if the sun is out.Friend’s HouseThere’s no better place to share a meal with your crew than at Friend’s House in the north of the city.A mishmash of Asian classics, you’ll find everything from kimchi fried rice and seafood pancakes to dumpling ramen and hot pots at Friend’s House. Their flavorful BBQ fare starts from $30 per person or $48 for a double serving of meat.While the likes of Coors and Miller are available, we recommend you go all out and sample the rice wine or fruity soju.Jeong Won BBQ BuffetWe’re heading back to Convoy Street one last time for Jeong Won BBQ Buffet.Unlike most Korean BBQs in San Diego, CA, Jeong Won offers a self-service buffet that lets you decide exactly how much wagyu, shrimp, and pork belly you deserve, and the same goes for their soups and pancakes. You can cook your meat yourself or ask the servers to take care of it for you.It’ll set you back around $35, and this includes non-alcoholic drinks.No matter what corner of the city you find yourself in, you have to make it your business to pay a visit to one of San Diego’s finest Korean BBQs. All that’s left to do is decide which soju flavor you’ll pick to complement your meal.Last Updated on February 13, 2025 by Maria HaaseThe post Best Korean BBQ in San Diego [2025] appeared first on San Diego Explorer.

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