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MARCH 1 & 2

MENDOCINO, Calif. — Wine tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 26th Annual Mendocino Whale Festival March 1 and 2 in Mendocino.

Many wineries will set up tasting stations in inns, galleries and shops throughout Mendocino Village and Little River, while the area’s top chefs produce their favorite seafood chowders in a tasting event. A marine mammal art exhibit, plein-air (live outdoor painting demonstrations) and docent-led walks are all part of the two-day festival.

With some 20,000 gray whales migrating north from birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska, there will be plenty of whales to view from the Mendocino Headlands State Park, which surrounds Mendocino Village.

Major events include:

  • Wine Tasting in Mendocino’s shops-Saturday only 12-4pm, $30. Register at Welcome Centers: Crown Hall-Main St, the Ford House-Main St. Event brochures, t-shirts and totes available. 21 & over only
     

  • Chowder Tasting in Crown Hall, Saturday from 11am-till the chowder runs out, 4 tastings for $5. Crown Hall located at 45285 Ukiah St., Mendocino. T-shirts and totes available during event.
     

  • Whale Watching walks on the headlands and Gray Whale Exhibit at the Ford House Visitor’s Center, Saturday and Sunday. Call 937-5397 for more information and hours Ford House Visitor Center located on ocean side of Main Street, Mendocino.
     

  • Many California State Parks activities at MacKerricher State Park, Point Cabrillo Light Station, and Mendocino Headlands State Park. Click Here for press release PDF.
     

  • Jughandle Creek Nature Center on-site naturalist will set up guided whale watching walks by reservations and will provide spotting scopes and educational materials. Contact: Helene Chalfin, 964-4630 or email: jughandle@creek.org
     

  • Lighthouse Activities, Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse exhibits and children’s activities on Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm Includes tide pool exhibit, lighthouse history, bird walks from Audubon Society, whale watching, and a Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito rescue demonstration. Docents & naturalists on hand. Parking $3
     

  • Plein-air Artists in the Village Weather permitting! See local artists painting on the Mendocino Headlands, Saturday
     

  • 4th Annual Marine Wildlife Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, 10-4pm, Little Lake St., Mendocino. Call 937-5818 features nationally and locally honored marine wildlife artists including the late JD Mayhew, designer of Whale Festival logo
     

  • The Coast KOZT-FM and Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce presents 'Save The Whales-The Japan Concert,' a whale film by Eric Christensen, Saturday at Crown Hall, 6pm. Tickets can be purchased at Harvest Market, Out of This World and the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce.
     

  • Whale Watching Cruises from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg all day both Saturday and Sunday, call Chamber of Commerce for charter boat referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday
     

  • Whale Watching by Horseback, call Chamber of Commerce for referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday.

    Featured wineries:

    -Albertina Wine Cellars
    -Barra of Mendocino
    -Claudia Springs
    -Esterlina Vineyards
    -Fife Vineyards
    -Frey Vineyards
    -Graziano Family of Wines
    -Handley Cellars
    -Husch Vineyards
    -McNab Ridge Winery
    -Meyer Family Cellars
    -Navarro Vineyards
    -Neese Vineyards
    -Scharffenburger Cellars
     

  • An Evening of Comedy with Stu Stuart -- Stand-up comedian Stu Stuart will perform at the Hill House Inn Sat., March 1, as part of the Mendocino Whale Festival. Stu's credits include Comedy Central and an Evening at the Improv. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at the front desk of the Hill House Inn in advance and at the door. Advance tickets are encouraged as seating is limited. No reservations taken. The Hill House Inn is located at 10701 Palette Dr., Mendocino. The charming New England-style Hill House Inn (of Cabot Cove) was one of the actual filming locations for the popular television series Murder She Wrote," set in the fictional village of Cabot Cove, "Maine. For more information and to make reservations call 937-0554 or go to www.hillhouseinn.com



MARCH 15 & 16

FORT BRAGG, Calif. –— Microbrew tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 26th Annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 15 and 16.

Along with dozens of microbrews provided by the Fort Bragg Rotary Club, the area’s top chefs will produce their favorite chowders. A marine mammal art exhibit and crafts fair are also part of the two-day festival.

With some 20,000 gray whales migrating north from birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska, there will be plenty of whales to view from the Pomo Bluffs Park in Fort Bragg and miles of beaches in MacKerricher State Park just north of the city.

Major events include:

  • Jughandle Creek Nature Center on-site naturalist will set up guided whale watching walks by reservations and will provide spotting scopes and educational materials. Contact: Helene Chalfin, 964-4630 or email: jughandle@creek.org
     

  • Chowder Tasting at Town Hall, Saturday from 11am till the chowder runs out, 4 tastings for $5. Corner of Main (Hwy 1) & Laurel St. in Fort Bragg. T-shirts and tote bags available during this event. Get there early to avoid long lines for chowder!
     

  • 2008 Whale Run Sat. March 15th. 7:30am start.
    10K/5K, 5K Competitive, 5K Fun Walk
    For more information sifb@mcn.org
     

  • Many California State Parks activities at MacKerricher State Park, Point Cabrillo Light Station, and Mendocino Headlands State Park. Click Here for press release PDF.
     

  • Whale Cruises from Noyo Harbor. Call Chamber for referrals, (707) 961-6300
     

  • Lighthouse Activities and exhibits, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4pm. See tide pool exhibits, lighthouse history, The Frolic shipwreck artifacts, learn from the Audubon Society and Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito, fun for the whole family! And don’t forget the whale watching.
     

  • Arts and Crafts Fair in downtown, on Saturday from 10-5pm & Sunday from 9-3pm, free admission, at the Fort Bragg Masonic Hall, 428 N. Main St., Fort Bragg.
     

  • Whale Walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Sat at 1pm, Hwy 1, Fort Bragg
     

  • Guided Whale Walks at MacKerricher State Park Saturday and Sunday, call 964-8898 for more information
     

  • 4th Annual Marine Art Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, featuring the original work of late, honored marine artist JD Mayhew and others, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4pm, located on Little Lake St., Mendocino
     

  • Whale Watching by Horseback, call Chamber of Commerce for referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday
     

  • Microbrew Beer Tasting and Barbecue at Eagles Hall, Saturday only from 12-5 pm, $30
     

  • An Evening of Comedy with Stu Stuart - Stand-up comedian Stu Stuart will perform in the Sequoia Room at the North Coast Brewing Company Tap Room & Grill, Sat., March 15, as part of the Fort Bragg Whale Festival. Stu¹s credits include Comedy Central and an Evening at the Improv. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at the front desk of the Tap Room in advance and at the door. Advance tickets are encouraged as seating is limited. No reservations taken. Those having dinner before the show should be seated no later than 7:15 p.m. The North Coast Brewing Company Tap
    Room & Grill is located at 444 N. Main, Fort Bragg. This is the 20th anniversary of North Coast Brewing Company, home of many award-winning craft beers. For more information and to make reservations call 964-3400 or go to www.northcoastbrewing.com