California
Find 3 pelagic birdwatching trips in California, United States, departing from ports including Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, CA, Mission Bay, San Diego, CA.
Monterey Bay Pelagic Seabird Cruise
Monterey Seabirds
- Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA
- Year-round with peak August–October; 8-hour and 12-hour departures available on selected dates (predominantly weekends during peak season); see montereyseabirds.com for current schedule and booking
- $125 per person (8-hour Monterey Sea Canyon); $160 per person (12-hour offshore Albacore Grounds)
Pioneer Canyon Pelagic Birding Trip
Alvaro's Adventures
- Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, CA
- Multiple dates per year; peak dates August–November, with winter pelagics (February–March); also departs from Monterey, Morro Bay, and Bodega Bay on selected dates; see alvarosadventures.com/pelagic-dates-2026.html for current schedule
- ~$200–$210 per person; see alvarosadventures.com for current pricing
San Diego Offshore Pelagic
San Diego Pelagics / Buena Vista Audubon
- Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
- Selected dates, August–November
- $130–$180 per person
Further Reading
When to Go Pelagic Birding in the United States
A seasonal guide to pelagic birding across the US, covering the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Read article →Best Pelagic Birding Trips on the US East Coast
A regional guide to the top pelagic trips from Cape Hatteras and New England canyons to Florida's tropical seabirds.
Read article →Best Pelagic Birding Trips on the US West Coast
A regional guide to West Coast pelagics: Westport's shearwater flocks, Oregon's Heceta Bank, San Diego's tropical rarities, and Alaska's seabird colonies.
Read article →Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips
A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, including Black-footed Albatross on Westport Seabirds' Washington pelagics — celebrated for fall albatross movements — and Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses on Hawaii's Kona Pelagic Birding Adventure.
Read article →More in United States
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pelagic birding trips are there in California, United States?
California has 3 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory.
Where do pelagic trips depart from in California?
Pelagic trips in California depart from Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA, Mission Bay, San Diego, CA, and Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, CA.
Which operators run pelagic trips in California?
Alvaro's Adventures, Monterey Seabirds, and San Diego Pelagics / Buena Vista Audubon operate pelagic birding trips in California.