Mendocino Whale Festival

California’s North Coast is a hot-spot for whale-watching at any time of year, but your chances of spotting the giants are best during the annual northern migration (typically from March to May) as they head back to Alaska. Thankfully, the Mendocino Coast Whale Festivals bring more to the table than just an opportunity to stare at the ocean, waiting to see a spout or a fluke. All three annual March celebrations, which take place on concurrent weekends in the villages of Mendocino, Little River and Fort Bragg, are timed to coincide with the annual grey whale migration to maximise your chances of a successful sighting. But each village also has something to offer that makes itworth a visit regardless of how many of the massive mammals you manage to lay eyes on.  

The first on the calendar is the Mendocino Whale Festival in Mendocino village itself. Mendocino Headlands State Park provides the perfect vantage point from which to spot whales, and before or after your spotting session you can taste wines as you explore the village. Many participating shops and galleries will keep your Mendo Whale wine glass topped off with the area’s finest varietals, and over a dozen wineries are also represented at the wine tasting held at the Ford House Museum. There is also a chowder tasting and competition, and a beer tasting featuring brews from North Coast Brewing Company, both of which take place at Crown Hall, a historic building in the heart of Mendocino that dates to 1901.

The following weekend, Little River pulls out all the stops for its turn at the Mendocino Whale Festival series, the Little River Whale Festival. Take a free volunteer-led tour from the Van Damme Visitor Center to see Van Damme State Park, which includes Fern Canyon Trail; along the trail, you can fish for abalone, launch a kayak into a protected cove or simply explore the forest. Other activities include art exhibitions, a volunteer-led whale-watching walk, a guided kayak sea-cave tour, and a bloody Mary and bacon competition.

On the last weekend, the Fort Bragg Whale Festival welcomes visitors to whale-watch from the many dramatic vantage points that are part of the Coastal Trail. They also throw a spirited chowder competition, held in Fort Bragg’s Masonic Hall, with local chefs seeing who can whip up the best version. Wine and beer tastings are held there as well.