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4 Fun Ways to Watch Whales Along the North Coast
345 N Franklin StFort Bragg, CA 95437-3401 Phone: (866) 466-3636About
Take coast hikes, visit a light station, and board a boat in search of the mighty grays offshore If you’re lucky enough to be near the California coast December to April, look out to sea. Nearly 20,000 gray whales ply the waters here, heading to and from their winter breeding grounds in Baja and plankton-rich Alaskan waters during the summer. Check out four ways to see and learn about these leviathons. 1. One of the best places to see these leviathans (peak numbers in March) is along the Mendocino Coast. For great vantage points, try the 2½-mile Headlands Trail, in Mendocino Headlands State Park in the village of Mendocino; docents and rangers are often on site during peak season to help spot spouts and answer questions. 2. Another great perch for spotting whales is Point Cabrillo Light Station , a state historic park about 3 miles north of the village (spoil yourself with a stay in the restored head light keeper’s house or adjacent cottages ). 3. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider joining a whale-watching cruise; guided whale-watching trips of varying lengths head out from Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor. Whales tend to stay quite close to shore during migration, so boats don’t have to go far to be right in the whales’ migration path. 4. The whales put everyone in a party mood, and the seafront towns of Mendocino, Little River, and Fort Bragg hold boisterous whale festivals in March, a good time to well, have a good time, as winemakers, beermeisters, musicians, and chowder chefs all vie for your attention, and your bellies. Guided walks and even horseback rides to bluff-top vantage parts are all part of the fun.
