Go Whale-watching
Each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make the 10,000-mile journey from the Bering Strait to the warm waters of Baja California. This migration takes place between the end of December and March, with the peak of the season being in February. San Diego is a perfect place for watching these behemoth creatures. One popular company for whale-watching tours is San Diego Harbor Excursions. Boat tours are 3.5 hours long and narrated by on-board naturalists who can also answer any questions you have regarding these impressive mammals. They also teach you about other animals that live in San Diego's waters such as large seahorses, turtles and brown pelicans.
San Diego Harbor Excursions
1050 N Harbor Drive
San Diego, California 92101-3316
(619) 234-4111
sdhe.com
Go Skiing
February is the perfect time to visit one of the many ski areas that dot Southern California. Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is one popular resort located close to Mt. Whitney and Yosemite National Park. The resort features some 3,500 acres of skiable area with 150 named trails. The resort has 29 lifts, two gondolas and two high-speed six packs. There are numerous lodges, chalets, motels and condominiums situated around Mammoth Lake as well as more than 45 restaurants and 12 nightclubs. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, go hot-air ballooning, take a dog sled ride or even a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
1 Minaret Rd.
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546
(760) 934-2571
mammothmountain.com
Visit a National Park
If you enjoy the outdoors, definitely make some time to visit some of the beautiful national parks in California. King's Canyon and Sequoia National Park are open 365 days a year and are worth at least a day trip. Conditions will likely be snowy. The roads to Cedar Grove and Mineral King are closed at this time of year, but the lower elevations are still open and worth appreciating. You can see the groves of giant sequoia trees covered with snow. Stop by the General Sherman Tree to see what the National Park Service calls "the largest single-trunked, living tree on earth." To play in the snow, visit Wolverton Snowplay Area and rent gear to sled, ski or snowshoe.
King Canyon & Sequioa National Parks
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, California 93271-9599
(559) 565-3341
nps.gov/seki/index.htm
