There’s something so unforgettably thrilling about seeing the majestic Gray Whales as they pass the Fort Bragg coastline on their annual migration. Winter months are best, as the leviathans swim south from Alaska to the breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico. High vantage points, like the Cabrillo Lighthouse, the Coastal Trail at Otsuchi Point and MacKerricher Park offer good views, particular on calm mornings. If you’re up for the high seas, consider a whale watching charter out of Noyo Harbor, like Telstar Charters, The Kraken, Hooked on Mendo, and The SeaHawk.