"Gray Whale In Kelp"
Artists:
Larry Foster - original image
Marta Alonso Canillar - mural painter
The Mendocino Coast offers premier whale watching from November through April, with over 20,000 California Gray Whales migrating 10,000+ miles between Alaska and Baja, Mexico.
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Peak viewing includes southbound pregnant females (Nov-Feb) and northbound mothers with calves (Feb-May).
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Key Whale Migration
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Gray Whale Migration: Southbound whales pass from Nov-Feb, while the northbound trip with calves occurs Feb-June.
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Other Species: Humpback whales (Apr-Nov), Blue whales (June-Oct), and occasional Orcas can be spotted.
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State Park Video on Gray Whale Adaptations
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​About California Gray Whales
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Live webcam on the Whale Run route
Best Whale Viewing Locations:
Mendocino and Fort Bragg Headlands: Dramatic, easily accessible bluff-top views.Point Cabrillo Lighthouse: Excellent panoramic views.MacKerricher State Park & Laguna Point: Known for gray whale spotting.Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: A dedicated "Whale Trail" site with ocean-view trails.Bars/Restaurants: Ole's Whale Watch Bar and Ledford House Bar.
Whale Festivals:
March is dedicated to festivals in Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and Little River, featuring chowder tastings, wine, and educational events.Boating/Air Tours: Numerous, such as Anchor Charter Boats, offer close-up ocean tours.
Tips for Whale Watching
Look for spouts: Heart-shaped plumes indicate a gray whale.Bring Gear: Binoculars, warm clothes, and a 70-300mm camera zoom lens are recommended.Watch Behavior: Look for "breaching" (jumping), "spy-hopping" (head above water), and "fluking" (tail in the air).Timing: Calm, sunny days are best, but rainy/windy days offer dramatic, if more difficult, viewing. History & Conservation
In 1975–1976, local residents formed this group to protest against Soviet and Japanese commercial whaling, initiating the first annual whale festival in 1976 (see below).Population Status: Gray whales are one of the oldest mammal species (up to 50 ft, 40 tons), and their migration is one of the longest on earth. ​See below.
The "Whale War" History & 50th Anniversary​
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Whale Wars Exhibit: Visit the Chamber of Commerce office in Fort Bragg throughout March 2026 for a special display featuring posters, photographs, and clippings documenting the 1975 anti-whaling campaigns.
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Mendocino Exhibit: The Kelley House Museum (45007 Albion Street, Mendocino) also hosts a "Mendocino Whale Wars" exhibit from March 6–29, 2026.
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Origin: The "war" began in 1975 when footage of Russian vessels slaughtering whales off the Mendocino Cape spurred local activists into action, leading to the first festival in 1976 to raise funds for conservation voyages. Link to the Full Story
