Hey, there, whale watching aficionados, Mendocino County in Northern California has something in store for you during the months of March and April, 2009, with 3 whale festivals!

Why March and April?  Because that's the time of year when about 20,000 gray whales are migrating north from Mexico to Alaska.  And, the coasts of Mendocino County are the perfect places to watch the migration. 

So, Let's Have a Festival!

March 7th & 8th

Mendocino Whale Festival
Historic Village of Mendocino

This is the 27th year of the Mendocino Whale Festival, and you can celebrate with whale watching, wine tasting and seafood chowder tasting.  Many of the area attractions also have events happening during the festival, including:

• Guided whale watching walks at Jughandle Creek Nature Center.  Contact jughandle@creek.org for more info
• 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. You can purchase tickets at Harvest Market, Out of This World and the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce.
• Whale Watching walks on the headlands at the Ford House Visitor’s Center, Saturday and Sunday. Call 707-937-5397 for more information

March 21st & 22nd

Fort Bragg Whale Festival

This is the 26th Annual whale festival for Fort Bragg, and features Microbrew tasting and more whale watching.  some of the events include:

• 2008 Whale Run 10K/5K, which starts Saturday, March 21, at 7:30AM.  Email sifb@mcn.org for more information.
• Whale Walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday at 1pm.
• Microbrew Beer Tasting and Barbecue at Eagles Hall (210 N. Corry St.), Saturday only from 12-5PM. Call 707-961-1464.

April 2nd - 18th

7th Annual Redwood Coast "Whale & Jazz Festival"
Gualala and surrounding areas

This Whale & Jazz Festival takes part over three weekends, with many different activities scheduled, including:

• Wine & Jazz at the Annapolis Winery in Annapolis, Saturday, April 4, 1:00 - 4:00PM.  Christie Winn & the Lowdowns perform. Wine sold by the glass with a gourmet cheese selection. Call 707-886-5460.
• The Main Event at the Gualala Arts Center on April 4 at 7:30PM
• Chowder and Jazz, Saturday, April 11, 11:30AM - 2:30PM at the Gualala Arts Center, featuring the Annual Chowder Challenge tastings and a concert by Barnebey's Hot Four.  Call 707-884-1138. 
• Romance & Jazz, Saturday, April 11, 5:30PM at the Whale Watch Inn in Gualala.  Gourmet buffet and wine, with performances by Mimi and Gabriel Pirard, and Ricky Aquino.  Go to WhaleWatchInn.com for more info.

You can get more in-depth info by going to GoMendo.com.  The website recommends several spots on the land in Mendocino County for whale watching, including:

• Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
• Point Arena Lighthouse
• Mendocino Headlands State Park
• MacKerricher State Park
• Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens