Gray whales pass all three West Coast states this winter, and you can watch from one lookout in each

The best wildlife show on the West Coast this winter swims right past the parking lot, and it costs nothing to watch. Gray whales head south along the coast every year, and you don’t need a boat to catch them.

A clifftop, a pair of binoculars, and a little patience will do it. Here’s one lookout in each of Washington, Oregon, and California, so you can turn it into a whale-chasing road trip.

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Washington: Cape Disappointment, where the high ground does the work

Southbound whales pass the Washington coast from mid-December through early February, with the peak around early January. At Cape Disappointment State Park, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, the best seats are on high ground: North Head Lighthouse and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Go early, before the wind whips up whitecaps, and pick a calm day that isn’t right after a storm. Overcast skies actually help, since they cut the glare on the water. Scan for the blow, the vapor a whale releases when it exhales, which can rise 6 to 12 feet.

Once you spot one, keep watching that patch of ocean, because more whales often surface nearby. Both lookouts sit inside the state park, so you’ll need a Discover Pass before you park. Westport Light State Park farther north has an observation tower and needs the same pass.

Oregon: Depoe Bay, where the rooftop is back in business

The Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center closed in August for roof repairs and is expected to reopen by the end of October, right in time for the migration. Once it’s open, you can walk up to the roof and look out for passing whales.

If it’s still closed when you roll in, you’re not out of luck. A car turnout about a block north, Boiler Bay, Rocky Creek, and Cape Foulweather all work as backups.

Look for spouts, which tend to show up three to five minutes apart, so settle in instead of scanning for a minute and leaving. Oregon has also run a Winter Whale Watch Week in the days after Christmas in recent years, with volunteers helping at lookouts along the coast, so check Oregon State Parks for this year’s dates. My vote for first-timers goes to Depoe Bay, because a building made for whale watching beats a wind-whipped headland every time.

California: Point Reyes, where the headlands poke into the Pacific

The National Park Service points to the Point Reyes Headlands at the tip of the peninsula for the best views, with the Point Reyes Lighthouse and Chimney Rock as the popular spots. Visit in December or January to catch the southbound pass, with sightings highest in January.

Day use runs from 6 a.m. to midnight, but whales aren’t likely to show before dawn or after dusk. Pets aren’t allowed at most of the best viewing spots, including the lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas, so leave the dog at home.

Weather calls the shots out here: winter brings heavy rain, and the strongest winds usually arrive in November and December. Entrance fees may apply, and no reservation is needed. Want to stretch the day? Our guide to Point Reyes hikes has plenty of trails to pair with the whale watching.

How to string the three together

Drive it north to south and you get a whale road trip that starts in Washington in mid-December and wraps up in California in January. Bring binoculars, stay behind the rails and signs at every lookout, and check each park’s website for closures before you go.

Which lookout are you claiming first: Washington’s high ground, Depoe Bay’s rooftop, or the Point Reyes headlands?

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.