Want to know the best places for whale watching? Away.com just came out with their top 10 list of best places to spot whales. And, they are:

Baja California - Mexico
Cape Cod - Massachusetts
California Coast, Between Big Sur and Fort Bragg British
Columbia - Canada
Dominican Republic
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Whale Route - South Africa
Masoala National Park - Madagascar
Kaikoura - New Zealand
Shikoku - Japan

If you're searching for a great spot between Big Sur and Fort Bragg, might I suggest the coast around Monterey? If Monterey is too touristy and crowded (it can be at times) then you might want to go to neighboring Pacific Grove, which seems more laid back and quieter. It's a great area, near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and, to the south, Carmel.

The entire Gray Whale population migrates past the Monterey coastline every winter and spring, and are present off Monterey from mid-December through mid-May. This time is also perfect for spotting several species of dolphins and porpoise, as well as sea lions, sea otters and harbor seals.

To get you in the mood for whale watching, here's a YouTube Whale Watching video taken in Mexico.