The Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma is poised to host its 25th annual Whale Watch and Intertidal Life Festival on Jan. 7-8 in a family-oriented event designed to celebrate the return of the Pacific gray whales in their yearly, round-trip migration from Baja California to Alaska. The festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, will also cast a spotlight on the intertidal life found in the tidepool area of the monument’s western shore. Each year, an estimated 20,000 gray whales in the Eastern Pacific herd return from Alaskan feeding waters to the warm, shallow lagoons in Baja California to give birth and find mates, making their 12,000-mile roundtrip migration the longest of any mammal in the world. The tidepools of Cabrillo National Monument are also among the best examples of intertidal habitat on the Southern California coast, said park officials. “This is a fantastic opportunity for families and visitors of all ages to see and learn about gray whales and other marine mammals, as well as the fascinating and sensitive intertidal area,” said Cabrillo National Monument superintendent Tom Workman. The weekend will feature guest speakers — who will share their expertise on gray whales and other cetaceans and intertidal habitat and ecology — along with films for the family and activities for children. Exhibitors will provide activities and information about whales, tidepools and their organizations, while park rangers, park volunteers and volunteers from the San Diego Natural History Museum will assist visitors in spotting whales and exploring the monument’s tidepool area. Park officials said the best locations to watch for whales are on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, and visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and dress warmly. All of the weekend’s events are included with the regular park entrance fee of $5 per vehicle and $3 for motorcyclist, bicyclist and walk-in. Passes may be purchased at the monument. Funding for the 2012 Whale Watch and Intertidal Life Festival is provided by the Cabrillo National Monument Foundation. Created in 1913, Cabrillo National Monument has served visitors and preserved nature and history for nearly 100 years. The monument, located at the south end of Catalina Boulevard, is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call (619) 557-5450, or visit www.nps.gov/cabr/.
