Grey/ Humpback/ Blue Whale

San Francisco Bay is a whale watching hotspot, as whale pods of various species pass by the Golden Gate seasonally on their migrations. But it is the Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) that frequents the San Francisco Bay itself. This species reaches an average length of 50 feet, but — contrary to what their size may lead one to believe — these incredible marine mammals are filter feeders that consume microscopic aquatic creatures known as krill. Whale watching is important ecotourism to San Francisco Bay and spurs conservation by bringing people into contact with these gentle giants.