Cheap Whale Watching

Seeing the whales is exciting, but it can also be pricey. You can get have a whale watching experience without the wallet drain the weekend of February 19-20. The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is setting up an observation station at the end of the pier with binoculars so you can get a look at the migrating behemoths. Admission is free for children under 12 and there's a suggested donation of $5 for everyone else.

Whale Watching

If you're burned out on theme parks and tired of traffic during your vacation, consider whale watching. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see massive gray whales on their annual migration south to Mexico during the spring. Boats leave from Marina del Rey, L.A. Harbor, Long Beach and Newport Beach. Expect to pay $15-$30 for a two to three-hour excursion.