Event Calendar
Whale Watching Walk at Spring Ranch (Van Damme State Park)
Whale Watching Walks at Van Damme State Park
Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am -11:00 am
Location: Spring Ranch Property, Van Damme State Park
Park at the Spring Ranch trailhead on the west side of Highway 1 at mile marker 49.00, across from Gordon Lane in Little River, California. GPS: 39°17'05.1"N, 123°47'36.4"W
Cost: free
RSVP: Please email director@mendoparks.org to reserve your spot (space is limited)
Program Description:
Join a CA State Park Interpreter for a 0.75-mile hike along the Spring Ranch trail to look for migrating gray whales! The guided portion of the hike will end at the coast, and visitors should plan to enjoy the 0.75-mile return hike at their own pace. The trail includes uneven surfaces and is not stroller or wheelchair friendly. This program will be cancelled for rain, severe weather, or park closure.
Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Moderately difficult hike
Sturdy hiking shoes and layered clothing are recommended
No restrooms or water are available at Spring Ranch.
Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail.
Dogs are allowed on a 6-foot leash.
Questions and/or Accessibility Info: Mackenzi.Lamb@parks.ca.gov
Margarita Madness
Sip, Savor, and Vote!
Join us for the ultimate Margarita showdown—a thrilling competition and fundraiser for MendoParks! Watch as bartenders from near and far shake, mix, and rim their way to victory. You’ll get to judge sample Margaritas and vote for your favorite, all while supporting 10 coastal state parks.
📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
⏰ Doors open at 12 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $50 – Get yours now!
Don’t miss the fun—cheers to Margaritas and a great cause!
Whale Watching Walk at Spring Ranch (Van Damme State Park)
Whale Watching Walks at Van Damme State Park
Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Spring Ranch Property, Van Damme State Park
Park at the Spring Ranch trailhead on the west side of Highway 1 at mile marker 49.00, across from Gordon Lane in Little River, California. GPS: 39°17'05.1"N, 123°47'36.4"W
Cost: free
RSVP: Please email director@mendoparks.org to reserve your spot (space is limited)
Program Description:
Join a CA State Park Interpreter for a 0.75-mile hike along the Spring Ranch trail to look for migrating gray whales! The guided portion of the hike will end at the coast, and visitors should plan to enjoy the 0.75-mile return hike at their own pace. The trail includes uneven surfaces and is not stroller or wheelchair friendly. This program will be cancelled for rain, severe weather, or park closure.
Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Moderately difficult hike
Sturdy hiking shoes and layered clothing are recommended
No restrooms or water are available at Spring Ranch.
Ticks and poison oak may be present along the trail.
Dogs are allowed on a 6-foot leash.
Questions and/or Accessibility Info: Mackenzi.Lamb@parks.ca.gov
Spring Ranch Whale Walk
Join a California State Park Interpreter to walk the historic Van Damme Spring Ranch property while spotting gray whales, learning why whales migrate, and why we celebrate Whale Festival!
Where: Park and meet in the Highway 1 pull out north of the Spring Ranch barns, across from Gordon Lane in Mendocino.
When: Saturday, March 9 at 10am
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
Van Damme State Whale Festival Campfire Program!
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores around the campfire on the beach. Visitors will learn why we celebrate this charismatic cetacean while sipping hot cocoa as the sun sets.
When: Friday, March 8 at 6pm
Where: Van Damme State Park Beach
This program and parking are free of charge, and donations to MendoParks accepted.
Bloody Mary Competition
MendoParks and the Little River Inn team up for another battle of the bartenders!
Join the fight as professional and amateur bartenders go head to head in the Battle of the Bloody Marys. Each ticket gets 5-6 Bloody Mary samples from some of the best and most creative bartenders in Mendocino County, along with a ballot to vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Get tickets today as this amazing event always sells out!
Docent Led Whale Watching at Spring Ranch
This doecent lead Wale Watching walk will meet at pull out across from Gordon Lane. We will be looking for migrating grey whales and baby seals at the rookery on the Spring Ranch headlands. Suggested donation $10
Spring Ranch Whale Walk
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate Whale Festival!
The guided tour meets in the Hwy 1 pull out north of the Spring Ranch barns, across the highway from Gordon Lane.
Binoculars will be provided. All ages are welcome!
Van Damme Beach Campfire Program
Gather at Sunset at the Van Damme State Beach fire ring for whale trivia, campfire songs, stories, s'mores, hot chocolate, and gray whale facts.
You're in for a whale of a time! Suggested donation $5.