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Sandy beaches and small town charm awaits you in this beautiful Spanish style town about 90 miles north of Los Angeles. Santa Barbara, California, the American Riviera, lies along a section of coast that runs primarily east and west, separated from the Channel Islands to the south and west by the Santa Barbara Channel; and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north and east. This geographical position has a postive affect on the favorable climate, wine growing and also on whale watching. There are more than one whale watching tour out of Santa Barbara.
From January through April, Gray Whales pass close by on their annual 6,200 mile migration between Alaska and Baja, Mexico. Gray whales are 35-45 feet long and about the same in weight (tons!). From May through September, the Blue Whales are present. The Santa Barbara Channel is home to more than 27 species of whales and dolphins, 6 types of seals and sea lions, plus many seabirds. A whale watch tour may site the Gray, Blue, Humpback, Minke, and Orca (Killer) Whales, as well as dolphins, seals, sea lions and birds. Whales breathe through a "blowhole", located on the top of their head. Toothed whales have only one blowhole, baleen whales have two blowholes. Most whales swim near the surface of the water. A group of whales are called a pod, there may be as many as 20 to a pod. Hearing is the most important sense for whales. They vocalize using clicks, groans, grunts, squeaks, rasps, and roars. These sounds are produced by squeezing air through the blowhole, or by bursts of air in the lungs. So be prepared for anything, and bring your camera!
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