About Observation Post #5 San Diego, California, United States Except for moms and babies, most of the northbound whales finish passing San Diego at the end of March. The whales are so close to shore that it doesn't take a boat to see them. Some of the best land spots for whale watching include Cabrillo Monument, Torrey Pines State Park, and any high cliff points above the ocean. Naturalists from Birch Aquarium send news (click News box, right) from the whale watching boat tours conducted by San Diego Harbor Excursions.       San Diego, California (32.72N, -117.17W)