Whale Watching Festivals

California Whale Watching Festivals Celebrate the Annual Gray Whale Migration

Whale watching festivals are a fun way to enjoy the annual migration of the gray whales along the California coast. Many coastal communities offer special events from fall through spring.

They celebrate with food, wine, music, parades and street fairs. They hold whale-watching walks and informational programs. You'll find a listing of California whale-watching festivals below, ordered from north to south.

Of course, you don't have to wait for a festival to go whale-watching. You can watch the great beasts swim by from numerous headlands and promontories along the coast, and whale-watching excursions are offered at just about every harbor. In the Monterey area, they're even offered year round.

Northern California Whale Watching Festivals

This festival features food and wine, whale watching walks and family activities. A free trolley will be available, and there will be events at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, three miles north of Mendocino. View the whales from the Mendocino Headlands or from a charter boat.

Fort Bragg Whale Festival
March

This festival features regional beers and ales, a 5K and 10K walk and run on the headlands, a classic car show, arts and crafts fair, chowder tasting, and art exhibits. There will also be events at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. View the whales on guided walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and MacKerricher State Park, or board a charter out of Noyo Harbor.

Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival
March & April

This festival combines live jazz, fine dining and whale watching. Entertainment and dining will be available in various locations around Gualala. Whale watching activities take place at Point Arena Lighthouse and at Gualala Point Regional Park in Gualala Bay.

Central California Whale Watching Festivals

The Monterey area features whale watching year round, hence three whale watching festivals. The winter festival celebrates the gray whale migration. The festivals feature food, activities and whale watching charters.

Santa Barbara Whale Festival
March

This festival features food, arts and crafts, diving demonstrations, a children's carnival, rubber duck race and other activities. Whale watching tours and information stations will be available.

Channel Islands Harbor Celebration of the Whales
December & April

This festival offers whale watching excursions to the Channel Islands National Park, leaving daily from Oxnard.

Southern California Whale Watching Festivals

This festival goes all out to celebrate the whales. It features a parade, street fair, music, an art show and sale, kids carnival and a rubber whale race. Activities include history walking tours, sailing and rowing lessons, kayaking demonstrations, and a campfire program. Whale watching excursions and educational programs will be offered.

More California Whale Watching Information