San Diego Visitors Guide - San Diego Official Visitors Guide

For more than 50 years,
Sea World has been the interna-
tional leader in the rescue and
rehabilitation of marine animals.

Jody Westberg found her true calling after helping save a stranded baby gray whale named J.J. back in 1997. She spent 15 months nursing the gray whale back to health before returning her to the ocean. Today, she is the park’s stranded animal coordinator, overseeing Sea World’s marine mammal rescue and animal health care programs. She coordinates the rescue of nearly 150 animals each year, and remarkably, 70 percent return to the ocean.

BEST PART OF HER JOB

When you see an animal that was so malnourished you could count its ribs and it could barely lift its head, and then you see that same animal healthy, active vocally and thriving, and entering the water for its second chance at life—that is absolutely my favorite part of the job.

SAN DIEGO HIGHLIGHTS

I love to go to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse for its history, the views and for spotting gray whales, which hold a very special place in my heart. I love that you can hike and explore the tide pools below the lighthouse, where there is a rookery of wild harbor seals that not many people are aware of.

Balboa Park is also one of my favorite places to enjoy walks, especially through the Rose and Desert Gardens. I never miss the Haunted Trail or December Nights, or an annual trip to The Old Globe for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

SEAWORLD DON’T MISS

A behind-the-scenes tour. It’s the best way to really get a peek at what it’s like to work at Sea World, how we care for the animals on a daily basis and how our rescue program works.