Every year, between the months of December and May, volunteers from the Los Angeles branch of The American Cetacean Society gather daily at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center on the Palos Verdes Peninsula to participate in a census of whales passing through the Catalina Channel. Since this is one of our favorite walking trails in all of LA we often stop by, say hello to the participants, ask them questions and analyze the data that is presented. Not that we know how many whales appeared or should have appeared be but it is always interesting to note that just a few miles off the coast of one of world's largest metropolis areas, whales swim by, almost unnoticed, on their yearly migration.



What prompted me for this article is a Los Angeles Times story that ran on January 15th 2008 (http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-whalewatchingjan14). They mention multiple spots along the California coast where whales can be viewed. The Palos Verdes option is very accessible for LA residents. There is plenty of available parking at the center. Other activities in this area abound. You can take a walk along a coastal trail that runs for a few miles right above the cliffs. Visiting the Interpretive Center is most fun. Here you can learn about the habitat, history, animals, marine life and natural preservation. One thing that amazes me is that in a nearby cove (Portuguese Bend), there was an actual whaling station in the mid 1800s. A multipurpose room exists at the Center and many use it for ocean front weddings and other gatherings. The nearby lighthouse is managed by the Coast Guard and is open to the public every second Saturday from 10am until 3pm. Admission is free.

The whale watching spot is on a nice stone plateau. Powerful telescopes and binoculars line the edge of this area. Friendly members of The American Cetacean Society are always eager to share a story, talk to you about whales, their numbers, invite you to observe the Pacific Ocean and answer any questions. I have only once seen whales from here. That was around ten years ago. This is just to note that seeing a whale is not a guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that you will have a good time here, learn something, spend some time outside enjoying the Pacific breezes, take a walk and enjoy nature. It does not get better than that.


Here are some sites, addresses, phone numbers and definitions relating to this story:

Point Vicente Interpretive Center
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West
Rancho Palos Verdes
(310) 377-5370
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/PointVicenteInterpretiveCenter/index.cfm

Wikipedia defines Cetacea(n) like this:
The order Cetacea ( L. cetus, whale) includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetus is Latin and is used in biological names to mean "whale"; its original meaning, "large sea animal," was more general. It comes from Greek ketos ("sea monster"). Cetology is the branch of marine science associated with the study of cetaceans.
Cetaceans are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life. Their body is fusiform (spindle-shaped). The forelimbs are modified into flippers. The tiny hindlimbs are vestigial; they do not attach to the backbone and are hidden within the body. The tail has horizontal flukes. Cetaceans are nearly hairless, and are insulated by a thick layer of blubber. As a group, Cetaceans are noted for their high intelligence.

LA Times Story
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-whalewatchingjan14

The American Cetacean Society - Los Angeles Branch
http://www.acs-la.org/seewhales2.htm

Point Vicente Lighthouse
http://www.palosverdes.com/pvlight/