Skip to Main Content

Grey whale.

Beached Grey Whale Statue

Field review by the editors.

Santa Cruz, California

To us, whale sculptures in this pose always look beached and dead. Santa Cruz has enough Pacific shoreline that it has seen its share of unfortunate strandings; a statue is more enduring and less odorous.

The life-size female California grey whale is an "educational tool" according to its plaque, commissioned by the local museum association, and lies in front of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. It was designed by artist Larry Foster and fabricated by Al Hipkins, dedicated in October 1982.

The whale sculpture is about 5-ft. high -- originally a layer of concrete over a hollow, internal wooden framework. Its smooth contours immediately made it a popular climbing and play spot for kids. All the physical love has worn down the giant sea mammal, so in 2009-10 it was filled with concrete and refurbished.

It's about 50 ft. long, which is a typical size of a mature grey whale.

Beached Grey Whale Statue

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Address:
1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA
Directions:
Between Pilkington Ave and Mott Ave along E. Cliff Dr.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Surfing MonumentSurfing Monument, Santa Cruz, CA - 1 mi.
Dead Surfers MemorialDead Surfers Memorial, Santa Cruz, CA - 1 mi.
First Surfers Plaque, Museum with Shark Bite BoardFirst Surfers Plaque, Museum with Shark Bite Board, Santa Cruz, CA - 1 mi.
In the region:
William McKinley, Auctioneer of Allegory, San Jose, CA - 27 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in California

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

California Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings