Event Calendar
MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting!
Throw on that old painting shirt and help apply another coat of paint to the whale skeleton in MacKerricher State Park! Come to paint, sip cocoa, and learn the fascinating history of MacKerricher’s fully articulated gray whale skeleton. Help ensure that these amazing bones are preserved for years to come. Free event.
MacKerricher Whale Skeleton, next to the park kiosk and visitor center. Parking in the group camp.
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather, or park closure
Whale Festival—MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores around the campfire in MacKerricher State Park's Campfire Center. Visitors will learn why we celebrate this charismatic cetacean while sipping hot cocoa as the sun sets. Free event.
Across from park entrance kiosk and visitor center. Parking in the group camp.
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather, or park closure
Whale Festival—Whale Tale Trail!
Follow MacKerricher State Park's "Whale Tale Trail" to scout for spouts! All are welcome to come and visit our 3 "Cetacean Stations" to learn all about the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
All ages welcome
Donations to MendoParks accepted
Dog-friendly (leash required)
ADA Accessible Trail/Boardwalk
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather/ocean conditions, or park closure
Whale Festival—Spring Ranch Whale Walks
Walk #1: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Walk #2: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Scout for spouts on this guided walk through Van Damme State Park's Spring Ranch property! California State Park Interpreters will guide visitors through this stunning area to watch for the magnificent migrating Eastern Pacific Gray Whale. Join us to learn the incredible story of this fascinating population of cetaceans!
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
All ages welcome
Donations to MendoParks accepted
Dog friendly (leash required)
Bumpy trail, strollers not recommended
Parking is available on the west side, northern pull-out of Hwy 1 across from Gordon Lane.
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather/ocean conditions, or park closure
Whale Festival—Van Damme Beach Campfire
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores celebrating the Whale Festival. Cozy up around the campfire, sip some cocoa, and watch the sunset on the beach in Van Damme State Park while learning why we celebrate the charismatic cetacean of the season- the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale! Free event.
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather/ocean conditions, or park closure
Whale Festival—Mendocino Headlands Whale Walks
Walk #1: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Walk #2: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Scout for spouts on this guided walk through the Mendocino Headlands! California State Park Interpreters will guide visitors through the headlands to watch for the magnificent migrating Eastern Pacific Gray Whale. Join us to learn the incredible story of this fascinating population of cetaceans!
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
All ages welcome
Donations to MendoParks accepted
Dog friendly (leash required)
Bumpy trail, strollers not recommended
*Program will be canceled for rain, severe weather/ocean conditions, or park closure
Whale Festival—Ford House Gray Whale Information Station
Join California State Park Interpreters to learn about our favorite magnificent migrating mammal of the season- the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale! Come check out the Ford House Visitor Center, hear about the many upcoming free Whale Festival activities, and learn something new about gray whales!
Free of charge
All ages welcome
ADA accessible
MacKerricher Whale Skeleton Painting!
Throw on that old painting shirt and join us to apply another coat of paint to the whale skeleton in MacKerricher State Park! Come to sip cocoa, paint, and learn the fascinating history of MacKerricher's fully articulated gray whale skeleton while helping ensure that these amazing bones are preserved for years to come.
Where: MacKerricher State Park Whale Skeleton
When: Sunday, March 17 at 11am - 3pm
Visitors should wear painting clothes. All ages are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Festival Campfire Program!
Join California State Park Interpreters for an evening of songs, stories, trivia, and s'mores around the campfire in MacKerricher State Park's Campfire Center. Visitors will learn why we celebrate this charismatic cetacean while sipping hot cocoa as the sun sets.
Where: MacKerricher Campfire Center
When: Saturday, March 16 at 6pm
This program and parking are free of charge. Donations to MendoParks are accepted.
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Fridays & Saturdays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Fridays & Saturdays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Fridays & Saturdays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Fridays & Saturdays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
Mendocino Headlands Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Sundays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet in the Mendocino Ford House Visitor Center.
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
Mendocino Headlands Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Sundays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet in the Mendocino Ford House Visitor Center.
Details:
Free of charge
Binoculars provided
Trail to the overlook is bumpy, so strollers are not recommended
Donations to MendoParks accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!
MacKerricher Whale Walks
Join a California State Park Interpreter to spot gray whales, learn why whales migrate, and why we celebrate the Whale Festival!
When: Fridays & Saturdays in March, 11am and 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Ward Avenue parking area north of the MacKerricher State Park entrances.
Details:
Free of charge
ADA accessible trail
Binoculars provided
Donations to MendoParks are accepted
All ages are welcome!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome!