For a truly quintessential bed and breakfast experience that contrasts the rugged outdoors just off your deck featuring hawks gliding the thermals, whales in season, majestic woodscapes, and surf tossed beaches, its the whale watch inn, in gualala, mendocino county. On a boat trip along the mendocino coast of california we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by mama and baby gray whales heading north from mexico. The whale watch inn is a romantic, wine country bed and breakfast. 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 gray whale migration to maximize your chances of a successful sighting. If not, consider a trip to the aptly named whale watch inn in mendocino county. Although, he loves rock fishing as well, his passion is targeting salmon. The whale watch inn is a romantic northern california hotel in mendocino county. Whale watching charter boats that run between the ventura coast and the channel islands are practically guaranteed to be successful. Download our free vacation guide and get our top recommendations. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. There are no guarantees, as they come and go, but killer whales are seen more frequently during the momcalf gray whale migration during may. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Every year, over 20,000 california gray whales make their way south from alaska and the bering sea down to their breeding grounds in baja california. With a delicate balance of nature, culture, history, and adventure, theres no shortage of fantastic things to do and ways to immerse yourself in our vacation destination.
An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons. Whale watching november april mendocino whale watching boats offer whale watching tours during the whales migration past the mendocino coast. During the spring and summer, n orthwest winds push the surface water offshore, replacing it with cold water from greater depths. The mendocino whale war association organized the 1st whale festival in mendocino in march 1976. While a warm, sunny day in mendocino is an impossible act to follow, residents and frequent visitors to the north coast quickly learn to enjoy this unique place in all of its moods and seasons.
During december through mid february, the whales migrate south from the arctic waters off the coast of. Fort bragg whale festival wine, chowder and craft beer march 17, 2018, 11 a. This event is held in the beautiful village of mendocino in northern california each year in march. The festival was also a fundraiser for an ocean voyage to challenge the whalers off the mendocino coast, as greenpeace had done the previous summer. Held every march, the festival gives visitors the opportunity to observe majestic whales in their natural element and also provides delicious food and wine tastings. You will find out about the species of fish, size, and even get information on the current weather conditions. These range from romantic hideaway honeymoon suites to rooms with a more traditional bed and breakfast atmosphere. Mendocino whale watching boats offer whale watching tours during the whales migration past the mendocino coast. If you have ever been to point reyes when the whales are going by, its hard to park anywhere near the ocean because of all the watchers. Whale home mendocino coast chamber of commerce, ca. One of the most wonderful pastimes to enjoy is going mendocino whale watching.
Internet, hot tub, pets welcome, fireplace, tv, satellite or cable, no smoking bedrooms. Visit our wine country bed and breakfast for your vacation getaway. Find all your tv listings local tv shows, movies and sports on broadcast, satellite and cable. Danny has been a captain for anchor charter boats for 3 years, running the ambush. For a day packed with fun and excitement and dont forget big fish too. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Mendocino, california americas best tv listings guide. Have a whale of a good time at the mendocino whale festival. Whale song mendocino, 95460, united states great location show map after booking, all of the propertys details, including telephone and address, are provided in. One whale moved north to cape mendocino, and four migrated south along the baja california, mexico coast, two passing south of cabo san lucas on the same. Gualala bluff trail and sea ranch golf links are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the areas natural beauty can explore schooner gulch state beach and gualala point regional park.
The mendocino whale festival is a marvelous way to experience the beauty of. If youre looking to plan a whale watching trip in monterey. Many people plan special excursions specifically to go whale watching. Captain tim is a seasoned charter boat professional, who has worked out of noyo harbor in fort bragg, california for over 40 years. Telstar charters sport fishing and whale watching in. To book your adventure or for more information give us a call at 7079648770, send us an email or please visit our rates and reservations page. The mendocino coast chamber of commerce takes the health and safety of our. Whale watching on the california coast california beaches. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Located in gualala, whale watch inn is on the beach.
Plan a visit during one of the most interesting times of the yearwhale watching season. May 2020 california department of fish and wildlife calendar. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. Each year, november through april, california gray whales make their annual migration from feeding grounds in alaska south to mate and have babies in the warm coastal lagoons of baja, mexico. Mendocino whale watching on mendocino coast fishing. May through november private charters year round this trip focuses mostly on the humpback whale. Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast. If youre not satisfied to watch from land, a number of seafaring tours can get you out into. Fort bragg whale festival mendocino coast chamber of. But each town also has offerings worth a visit no matter how many of the massive mammals you manage to lay eyes on. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The sanctuary offers some of the worlds best yearround whale watching.
Explore avian themed crafts, games and handson activities free to download. Ford house museum, 45035 main st, mendocino, ca 95460. Lodging specials whale watching walks sea cave kayak tours. Whale gulch physical feature valley in mendocino county. He will give current reports on our facebook page of what fish we are catching as well as whale sightings. Activities include food, beer and winetasting, art exhibits, whalerelated educational programs, nature walks, and whalewatching from the headlands, from chartered boats and from kayaks, plus lots more. Whale migration along the mendocino coast every year, over 20,000 california gray whales make their way south from alaska and the bering sea down to their breeding grounds in baja california. Mendocino whale festival mendocino coast chamber of. Whale song mendocino, 95460, united states of america great location show map. Several other whale festivals along the coast include a whale festival in nearby fort bragg and festival of the whales in dana point. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. These waters are rich in nutrients, fueling the growth of planktonthe basis for.
The telstar offers 2 hour whale watching excursions. Over the course of the tour, we saw at least a dozen more blue whales, gray whales, and humpbacks. Whale watching season in northern california starts earlier and ends later than it does further south. Whale gulch is a physical feature valley in mendocino county. California gray whales migrate south from alaska to baja california during the months of november through february and return north during the months of february through april. The channel islands national marine sanctuary is a beautiful place where 29 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been seen. The california gray whale makes the most spectacular and the longest mass migration of any marine mammal. Whale song one of the mendocino coasts finest offerings. The goal was to make the public aware that the whales were still being hunted. Youll find many great spots to whale watch from shore from del norte to san diego county. He loves his job and has always had the dream of becoming a boat captain.
Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. He earned his 100 ton masters license in san diego, ca. The mendocino year when to visit every season in mendocino has its own special flavor. Ford house museum and visitor center mendocino headlands state. Mendocino whale festival is an annual event along the beaches and northern coast of california to celebrate the whale migration. Spend some time exploring the areas activities, including whale watching. See more ideas about california, mendocino coast and mendocino county. It is a festive event with not only whale watching. Before you go mendocino whale watching, request a copy of our complimentary vacation guide for our recommendations for cultural, culinary, and outdoor activities to enjoy, as well as where to stay at sea rock inn where to go mendocino whale watching.
Each accommodation offers a spectacular northern california ocean view, private bath, fireplace and deck area. Whale gulch in mendocino county, ca hometownlocator. The whale watch inn in northern california is perfect for. Noyo harbor features several charter boats that offer sport fishing adventures, whale watching tours and party charter boats. Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of mexico. Along the way, the whales do a swimby off the mendocino coast, offering an unforgettable chance to see the leviathans spouting, breaching, and diving as they make their epic journey south. Mendocino coastal waters offer a great destination for anglers wanting to catch salmon, rockcod, lingcod and albacore. The primary coordinates for whale gulch places it within the ca 95589 zip code delivery area in the maps and aerial photos section below, youll find links to. The mendocino coast provides excellent opportunities to see the whales without all the crowds around, starting at the end of december and continuing into april. The best places to go mendocino whale watching sea rock. Mendocino whale festival first weekend in march explore the beautiful village of mendocino where there are plenty of whales to view from the surrounding mendocino headlands state park. Each year 22,000 gray whales migrate close to shore.
Chowder, beer and wine tasting options festoon pedestrianfriendly lanes, while you explore art exhibits, local shops and inns. For the seagoing adventurer, book a whalewatching boat tour to encounter the whales up close leave from noyo harbor in fort bragg. March and april is prime whale watching season here in northern california. Book whale watch inn by the sea, gualala on tripadvisor. The mendocino whale and wine festival is in its 22nd year. Its the one time of year where we can observe one of the greatest sights in the country. Dungeness crab season south of sonomamendocino county line to. Over a dozen wineries from mendocino county come together to pour wine for tasters in mendocino village. The mendocino whale festival is a marvelous way to experience the beauty of the area in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Whale watch inn is comprised of five separate buildings with a total of eighteen unique accommodations. After a brief respite in baja where the babies are born, the whales return back to their northern territory. Whale watch house vacation rental, mendocino, california we strongly suggest that you contact us directly for availability and best booking rates.
If youre having difficulty deciding which mendocino whale watching charter to enjoy this experience with, consult our vacation guide link. Whale watching along the mendocino coast our guide to mendocino and fort bragg sightseeing and charter boats can help you find the perfect sightseeing excursion to view the great whale migration gray whales 20,000 gray whales travel along the california coast two times every year. Whale migration along the mendocino coast mendocino fun. See more ideas about mendocino coast, whale and coast.
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