MARCH 3 & 4

MENDOCINO, Calif. — Explore the beautiful village of Mendocino where there are plenty of whales to view from the surrounding Mendocino Headlands State Park, while tasting chowder and wine, and discovering art exhibits, local shops and Inns.

Major events include:

• Passport Wine Tasting Event: $30 Saturday  only, taste some of Mendocino County’s finest varietals in shops and galleries throughout Mendocino village.  A complimentary trolley will be provided for your convenience. Purchase wrist bands and a glass from Crown Hall  or Ford House (735 Main St) beginning at noon. 
   
• The Coast (KOZT Radio) presents An Evening of Wood and Steel: World Class Musicians on guitars, upright bass, mandolin, pedal steel guitar and more (see above). Plus Mendocino County wine bar benefiting Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce programs. Doors of the Crown Hall open at 7:30 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM. Advance tickets $20 at Harvest Market in The Boatyard Center and Out Of This World in Mendocino or online through the link at www.kozt.com or $25 at the door.
   
• Thanksgiving Coffee tasting: Come sample some of Thanksgiving's Coffee delicious coffee at the Ford House 11am - 4 pm
   
• Chowder Tasting  - Saturday only, sample chowder from some of the best chefs on the coast!  Tasting will be held at Crown Hall (45285 Ukiah St) between 11:00 am and 2:00pm or until supplies last so get there early!
   
• Plein-air Artists in the Village Weather permitting! See local artists painting on the Mendocino Headlands, Saturday
   
• Marine Life Exhibit: The Marine Wildlife Show is an all media show featuring original art works from local artists. Beginning March 2nd through the Month of March the exhibit can be viewed at the Mendocino Art Center (45200 Little Lake St) 10am – 5 pm daily.
   
• Whale Watching Charter Boat Tours (Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg)
   
• Point Cabrillo Light House: Docents on hand with whale watching binoculars 10am - 4pm on Saturday March 3 and Sunday March 4. Other activities: see a tide pool aquarium, light station history presentations, a life-size gray whale jigsaw puzzle for the kids, Audubon Society-led morning bird identification walks. Hot drinks, cookies, lunch available for purchase in the lighthouse lobby.
   
• Horse Back Riding
   
• Whale Watch Tours (Fort Bragg)
   
• Walking Whale Watching Tours at the Botanical Gardens
  
   

MARCH 10 & 11

Download LRWF brochure here

LITTLE RIVER, Calif. — A sampler of hospitality and adventure in Little River is served up for your convenience all in one weekend. The third annual Little River Whale Festival offers lodging specials, a tasting tour, and an art and nature adventure passport to introduce you to the local hidden secrets. The Festival benefits MAPA (Mendocino Area Parks Association) and the jewel of Little River, Van Damme State Park. As an incentive to explore Little River, attend three or more events for a chance to win a local prize. Find all locations and details on our online map.

Major events include:

Whale of a Sale: Stay two nights during the festival and get the third night free! All over town.
Taste of Little River: Saturday only, Discover the many flavors of Little River as eight local gourmet chefs show off their specialties paired up with their favorite Mendocino County wines. Wine tasting 1-3 p.m., pre-sale tickets at Ford House $30, (707-937-5397), Day of the Event $35 at the Welcome Station, Andiron Inn in Little River. Special drawing for prizes and a souvenir coffee mug for designated drivers!

Adventure Passport:
Pick up a passport at any event. Get a sticker for each event attended. Many events are free! Fill in your name & email address, Turn in the passport, with three or more stickers, at the Little River Market & Deli, for your chance to win.

Prizes include: a two night stay at the Andiron, a one night stay at Cottages at Little Rive Cove, an $80 dinner at Wild Fish, a sea cave kayak tour, a John Birchard print, a wooden whale Carving and a MAPA membership.

Passport Events:

Morning Yoga , Friday only, March 9, 8 am, donation $10 - Kumeido Zen Center, 6028 Albion Little Road. Yoga class led by Karin Uphoff.

Mendocino Photographs Gallery Opening, Friday, March 9, 4 – 6 pm, FREE At the Spa at Little River Inn. John Birchard presents twenty years of framed and unframed local land and seascape photography. Wine and nibbles.

John Birchard’s Digital Photography Workshop Saturday only, March 10, 8:30 am to noon, $100
Call 937-4809 to reserve a space. A coastal walk & photo shoot at the Spring Ranch Barns or the Mendocino Headlands followed by time in John's nearby studio reviewing, processing and printing your photos.

Docent-led Whale Watch Walks, Saturday only, March 10, 10 am – noon, FREE. Park on the west side of Highway One, opposite Gordon Lane. A two hour guided walk searching for pelagic cormorants, seaside daisies and of course, whales! Docents Stan Anderson and David Alden will lead separate interpretive walks. Binoculars available, no pets, heavy rain cancels.

Parlor Chat: Ronnie James
“Touching Wings, Touching Wild: Wildlife Rescue and Release on the Mendocino Coast”
Saturday only, March 10, 3:30 pm, FREE, at Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse. Woodlands Wildlife's Ronnie James will cover wildlife topics from mountain lions to what to do with baby birds out of the nest. A hands-on owl pellet dissection will be offered. Ms. James will also be signing her new book, Touching Wings, Touching Wild. Presentation, cookies and coffee.

Library Chat: Rachel Binah
“The David and Goliath Struggle Against Offshore Oil along the Mendocino Coast”
Sunday only, March 11, 11 am, FREE, The Clubhouse at The Woods, 43300 Little River Airport Road. Presentation, snacks and coffee.

Meditation and Dharma Talk
Sunday only, March 11, 3 pm, Donations welcome.
Kumeido Zen Center, 6028 Albion Little River Road. Kumeido's Sunday Program begins at 3 p.m. with meditation followed by a dharma talk, open discussion and tea time. All are invited and welcome.

LRWF Concert Series: John Reischman and the Jaybirds at Little River Inn’s Abalone Hall
Sunday only, March 11, 7:30 pm, $20. Beer and wine available for purchase. Benefits the Albion Little River Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets available at Little River Inn, 888-INN-LOVE

Open Art Studio, Todd Elkins, Woodcarver, Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11, 10 – 2 pm, FREE. Artist in residence at Little River Inn. See Todd in action as he works on his Passport Prize whale wood carving.

Van Damme Visitor Center, Saturday and Sunday, March 10 &11, 10 am – 3 pm, FREE
Van Damme State Park, N Highway One, 937-4015. Learn more about the history and environment of our park, which features coastal Spring Ranch trails, a lush Fern Canyon, a scenic riparian trail system, a Pygmy Forest interpretive walk of miniature mature trees, and a bog. Thanks to MAPA volunteers for opening the Park for the festival.

Kayak Mendocino Sea Cave Tours
Saturday & Sunday, March 10 & 11, 11:30 am & 2 pm, $50. Van Damme State Park, Beach Parking Lot. Paddle through sea caves and meet the harbor seals, sea stars and shorebirds. All tours are easily paddled by beginners of all ages and require no prior experience. 10% of proceeds donated to Surfers for Cetaceans, working to protect whales and dolphins Reservations suggested. Includes all gear. 937-0700
 

MARCH 17 & 18

FORT BRAGG, Calif. –—Enjoy Wine, Chowder and microbrew tasting while visiting our local shops and Inns, and whale watch from the Pomo Bluffs Park in Fort Bragg, as well as from miles of beaches.


Major events include:
 

• Whale Run and Walk Saturday, Race starts at 8am, Skunk Train parking lot - soroptimistfortbraggca.org
   

• Fort Bragg Kiddie Parade: Kids of any age can participate! Theme: Sea Life! The parade is from 10 AM – 11 AM during the craft fair in the Company Store (301 N Main Street)
   

• Chowder Tasting: $10 Saturday only, sample chowders from some of the best chefs on the coast! Tasting will be held at Town Hall (363 N Main St) between 11:00 am and 2:00pm or until supplies last so get there early!
   

• Passport Wine Tasting Event: $20 Saturday  only, taste some of Mendocino County’s finest varietals in shops and galleries in Historic Downtown Fort Bragg.  Purchase wrist bands and a glass from Town Hall beginning at 2:00 PM.
   

• Microbrew Beer Tasting: Taste beer like you never tasted before right here in your back yard at the Eagles Hall in Fort Bragg for one low special price of $30
   

• Live Music nightly at Headlands Coffee House (120 E Laurel St): 7pm Friday and Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.
   

• Whale Cruises from Noyo Harbor: Whale watching from a charter boat offers a once in a lifetime viewing opportunity. Because whales are close to shore, sightings usually occur within a short 5-15 minute ride. Call Chamber of Commerce for details, 707- 961-6300
   

• Whale Watching by Horseback: Miles of visually stunning beach, with migrating whales on the horizon — awesome! Call Ricochet Ridge Ranch for details, 707-964-7669 or 888-873-5777 (toll free). •Whale Watching at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: Cozy up and view Gray Whales from the Garden’s rustic Cliff House, nestled into the bluff along the ocean’s edge — or stroll along the large expanse of ocean-side bluffs for unobstructed views. Hours: 9am-5pm.
   

• Point Cabrillo Light House: Docents on hand with whale watching binoculars10am - 4pm on Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18. Other activities: see a tide pool aquarium, light station history presentations, a life-size gray whale jigsaw puzzle for the kids, Audubon Society-led morning bird identification walks. Hot drinks, cookies, lunch available for purchase in the lighthouse lobby
   

• MacKerrcher State Park Whale Skeleton exhibit and miles of beaches
   

• Live music nightly at the Headland's Cafe' on Laurel Street