Whale Festival
& Battle of the Bloody Marys!
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 Bloody Mary competition!
Festival Events
See our Event Calendar for all events.
Mendocino Headlands Information Station
Stop by the "Gray Whale Information Station" to learn more about gray whales, how to spot them, why we celebrate, and to learn about more fun Whale Festival activities led by California State Park Interpreters through March.
Where: Front porch of the Mendocino Ford House Visitor Center.
When: 2025 Dates TBD!
Binoculars will be provided. All ages are welcome!
Van Damme State Whale Festival Campfire Program!
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores around the campfire on the beach. Visitors will learn why we celebrate this charismatic cetacean while sipping hot cocoa as the sun sets.
Where: Van Damme State Park Beach
When: 2025 Date TBD!
Details:
This program and parking are free of charge, and donations to MendoParks accepted.
Spring Ranch Whale Walk
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!
Where: Park and meet in the Highway 1 pull out north of the Spring Ranch barns, across from Gordon Lane in Mendocino.
When: 2025 Date TBD!
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
Bloody Mary Competition
Held in beautiful Little River, CA at the stunning Little River Inn, as part of the Little River Whale Fest, the Battle of the Bloody Marys 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 Bloody Marys 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. 2025 Date TBD!
GET YOUR TICKETS today!
MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program!
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.
Where: MacKerricher Campfire Center
When: 2025 Date TBD!
Details:
This program and parking are free of charge. Donations to MendoParks are accepted.
MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting!
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.
Where: MacKerricher State Park Whale Skeleton
When: 2025 Date TBD!
Details:
Visitors should wear painting clothes. All ages are welcome!
Mendocino Headlands Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: 2025 Date TBD!
Where: Meet in the Mendocino Ford House Visitor Center.
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks accepted
All ages are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: 2025 Dates TBD! Fridays & Saturdays 11 am and 1 pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!