Fisherman's Landing, San Diego

With its fleet of luxurious vessels, Fisherman’s Landing leads equally adventurous, and often awe-inspiring, expeditions throughout the year. Its family-friendly half-day fishing trips encourage anglers of all ages to try their hands at snagging seasonal targets.

As a pod of 12 gray whales epically crashed through the waves, their mighty fins left a trail of mist in their wake. This jaw-dropping natural display didn’t come from the pages of National Geographic, but was actually witnessed live by a group on a whale-watching trip off the San Diego coast in January 2013. Private charter trips, meanwhile, offer a bit more flexibility as they cruise highly populated fishing zones such as the Coronado Islands and the backyard ponds of local celebrities.