Majestic gray whales migrate off the California coast in spring and, like barnacles hoping to latch on, thousands of people flock to see them.
In 2025, there will be more whale festivals than previous years, mostly due to Covid and other forces of nature cancelling past ones. Does that mean there’ll be more whales? You’ll just have to go find out.
In order of dates, here are five whale fests to enjoy in spring 2025. Note: While many of Mendocino County’s shebangs take place through the weekend, Saturday is usually the day with the loaded event schedule.
Mendocino Whale Festival: March 1-2
This annual biggie splits whale activities across two days of fun. On Saturday, there will be a chowder tasting at the Crown Hall banquet room featuring local restaurants (10 a.m.-noon, $20) and a wine walk through Mendocino’s bevy of quaint shops (noon-3 p.m., $65).
On Sunday, the Ford House Visitor Center & Museum in Mendocino will hold a gray whale symposium with tips on how to spot these creatures, with binoculars provided (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). That day will also have guided whale walks along the Mendocino Headlands given by California State Park interpreters. It’s dog-friendly, but leave strollers at home due to the bumpy trails (Ford House Visitor Center, 11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.). Details: mendocinocoast.com/mendocino-whale-festival
Little River Whale Festival: March 7-8
This fest kicks off on Friday, March 7, in the whale’s backyard of Van Damme State Park, with a sunset gathering on the beach featuring whale stories, songs, trivia, hot cocoa and s’mores roasting over campfires (6 -7 p.m.).
On Saturday, there will be a walk on the historic Van Damme Spring Ranch property to scout the ocean for whales, with binoculars provided. The event will be canceled if severe weather occurs (11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m.). Also on Saturday is a Margarita Madness bash at the Little River Inn with bartenders competing for tequila-based glory. Attendees can judge up to six margaritas, with tickets going to support Mendocino coastal parks ($75). Details: mendocinocoast.com/whale-home
Fort Bragg Whale Fest: March 15-17
The coastal city has a whale of an events roster this year. On Saturday, visitors can get athletic in the 37th annual Whale Run & Fun Walk along the coastal trail in Fort Bragg. Sign up by March 9 (cheaper prices before Feb. 28) for various runs including a half-marathon, 5K and a kiddie’s race (8:30-noon, whalerun.org).
Most of the other events take place that same Saturday — too many to list, but you can expect a chowder tasting at Fort Bragg’s City Hall gymnasium ($20) and a Rotary Beer Fest at Eagles hall with live music and barbecue (noon-4 p.m., ticket info coming soon, fortbraggrotary.com). On Sunday, there is a whale-skeleton painting event at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, in which visitors can slap protective paint on the articulated bones of a 30-foot gray whale (free). And on both Saturday and Sunday, there’s a Symphony of the Redwoods Spring Concert with water themes tying together orchestral masterpieces at the Cotton Auditorium (Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.; $15-$30, symphonyoftheredwoods.org). Details: visitfortbraggca.com/whalefest
A humpback whale lunges off Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Karl Mondon/ Bay Area News Group)
Whalefest Monterey: April 12-13
The 15th annual Whalefest takes place on the historic, fish-scented Old Fisherman’s Wharf and is a big draw for serious whale enthusiasts. Expect marine experts sharing their best whale tales and conservation lessons, with talks this year including “Whale Entanglement: Risks, Responses and Prevention” and “The Unseen and Unsung Heroes of Monterey Bay: the Beautiful, Amazing Microscopic Plankton!”
Aside from engaging science, there will also be live music, interactive marine exhibits, sea-themed crafts like scrimshaw and gyotaku — the traditional Japanese method of “printing fish,” who knew? — and the opportunity to tour research and rescue vessels. Oh, and don’t forget the crowd-favorite Abalone Races. (Free, whalefest.org)
Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Whale and Jazz Festival: April, 2025
This quirky festival on the Sonoma coast, more about music than mammoths, usually runs in April to coincide with the Smithsonian Institution’s Jazz Appreciation Month.
There are typically live jazz performances; jazz-related films, poetry and art; a chowder challenge and tasting; and scientific discourses about whales given by local experts. All this happens in lovely natural settings, including wineries and restaurants by the ocean. The place to check for updates as April grows nearer is the Gualala Arts Center, definitely worth a visit among the coastal redwoods. (Free, gualalaarts.org)
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