Whale Festival
& Battle of the Magaritas!
Every March, the Mendocino Coast comes alive to celebrate the migration of the magnificent gray whale.
Events include guided whale walks, a gray whale exhibit, live music, and even a Margarita competition!
Festival Events
See our Event Calendar for all events.
Mendocino Weekend!
March 1, 2025
Event #1: Ford House Information Station
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (tentative)
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March 1, 2025
Event #2: Mendocino Headlands Whale Walks
Times: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm(tentative)
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Little River Weekend!
March 7, 2025
Event #1: Van Damme Beach Campfire
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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March 8, 2025
Event #2: Spring Ranch Whale Walks
Times: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm(tentative)
Where: Park and meet in the Highway 1 pull out north of the Spring Ranch barns, across from Gordon Lane in Mendocino.
Join a California State Park Interpreter to walk the historic Van Damme Spring Ranch property while spotting gray whales, learning why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
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March 8, 2025
Event #3: Margarita Competition!
Time: 5:00 pm
Held in beautiful Little River, CA at the stunning Little River Inn, as part of the Little River Whale Fest, the Battle of the Margaritas has become an annual tradition. Join the fun and watch the battle as professional and amateur bartenders go head to head for glory and prizes. Judge up to six margaritas and vote for your favorite. Tickets are $75 for this fundraiser for MendoParks, helping us to support 10 coastal state parks from Westport to Manchester. Ticket Link Coming Soon!
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Fort Bragg Weekend!
March 15, 2025
Event #1: Laguna Point Whale Watching Stations
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (tentative)
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March 15, 2025
Event #2: MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program
Where: MacKerricher Campfire Center
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm (tentative)
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores around the campfire in MacKerricher State Park's Campfire Center. Visitors will learn why we celebrate this charismatic cetacean while sipping hot cocoa as the sun sets.
Details:
This program and parking are free of charge. Donations to MendoParks are accepted.
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March 16, 2025
Event: MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Throw on that old painting shirt and join us to apply another coat of paint to the whale skeleton in MacKerricher State Park! Come to sip cocoa, paint, and learn the fascinating history of MacKerricher's fully articulated gray whale skeleton while helping ensure that these amazing bones are preserved for years to come.
Details:
Visitors should wear painting clothes. All ages are welcome!
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