Whale Fest Wine Walk

Saturday, March 15

Downtown Wine Walk

Come sip wines from Mendocino County wineries and enjoy food pairings as you shop the shops of downtown Fort Bragg. Stroll the town and enjoying live music from bands playing on Laurel near Franklin Street.
• Throughout Downtown Fort Bragg
• 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Tickets: $65 – $75 with Chowder Tasting

– Must be 21 and show valid ID at check-in. – No open alcohol containers are allowed outside of the shops – Rain or Shine


SHOPS & WINERIES


• The Quarry – Brutocao WInery
• Pippi’s – Bonterra Organic Estates
• Imaginations – Husch Vineyards
• TC Space – Twomey Cellars
• Cloud Nine Gallery – Rivino Winery
• Mendocino Coast Photography Gallery – Lula Cellars
• Cucina Verona – Graziano Family of Wines
• Skunk Train – Meyer Family Cellars
• The Weller House – Brashley Vineyards
• Rise & Be Well – Frey Vineyards
• Interior – Jaxon Keys Winery & Greenwood Ridge Winery
• It’s a Shore Thing – Sea Wolf Wines
• Sherwood & Company – Seebass Vineyards

Chowder Tasting

& Competition

Taste the best chowders on the coast from Fort Bragg eateries, all in one location, then vote on your favorite for the People’s Choice award!

  • City Hall Gymnasium – 213 E. Laurel Street
  • 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Tickets: $20 – $75 with Wine Walk


Chowder Participants


• Asian Fusion Sea Valley Cafe
Cucina Verona Restaurant
• Eggheads Restaurant
• Harbor View Bistro
• Harvest Market
• Huck’s Sliderhouse
KW Saltwater Grill
• North Coast Brewing Company
• Rhody’s Garden Cafe
• Seapal Cove


Blue Economy


May 19 to 22, 2022 – Fort Bragg, CA

The Blue Economy Symposium and Learning Festival is presented by Noyo Ocean Collective, a unique partnership uniting the City of Fort Bragg, Noyo Harbor District, Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo, Mendocino College, West Business Development Center and Noyo Center for Marine Science. Many thanks to California Sea Grant for their expertise, enthusiasm, and support over the past year to help make this happen.

Together we’ll explore opportunities and consider what a Blue Economy might look like on the Mendocino Coast.


SYMPOSIUM

This leadership forum goes deep into Blue Economy initiatives from around the state, nation and world. While capacity is limited in Town Hall, presentations will be broadcast live for community participation.

Agenda

LEARNING
FESTIVAL

Join top researchers, educators, purveyors, guides and fishers to immerse yourself in a multitude of ocean-related enterprises at the core of a sustainable economic future on the Mendocino Coast.

Activities

BLUE ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES

Along ocean coasts everywhere, a new path is emerging. Blue Economy is a way of considering economic development and ocean health as compatible. A place where economic activity is in balance with the long-term capacity of ocean ecosystems. It’s a fresh, exciting way of looking at everything from traditional marine sectors to new businesses focused on ocean resiliency, and it touches on activities related to climate change, fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism and transportation.  

ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES

EMERGING INDUSTRIES


Handmade Craft Fairs


Handmade Craft Fairs

Bring your family to all of the popular Handmade Craft Fairs on special event weekends at Town Hall in downtown Fort Bragg. Shop for a wide variety of amazing hand-crafted items, from quilts and toys, to iron works, pottery, knits and crochet, jewelry, paintings, tools, and puzzles. 

When: Special Event Weekends Starting at 10 AM On Saturday and Sunday. Closing Times Vary. 

Where: Town Hall – Corner of Main & Laurel in Downtown Fort Bragg

Handmade Craft Fairs: 

– WHALE FESTIVAL: 3rd Weekend of March

– SALMON BBQ: 1st Weekend of July

– PAUL BUNYAN DAYS: Labor Day Weekend

– HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE: 1st Weekend of December


Fort Bragg Independence Day Fireworks


Fort Bragg Independence Day Fireworks

Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM

Fort Bragg Independence Day Fireworks are on for this year! 

WATCH FROM:
• South Coastal Trail at Noyo Headlands*
• Pomo Bluffs Park
• Todd Point Parking Area


Fort Bragg Police will strictly enforce restrictions on illegal discharge of fireworks & open containers of alcohol in public.
*$20 PARKING FEE

 


John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show


John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show

May 3 & 4, 2025 – Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Each year, the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (ARS) partners with Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to showcase some of the best rhodie specimens on the west coast. Now in its 45th year, the John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show is held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in mid-May. The juried show is the largest in California with a typical show displaying more than 800 entries and filling the big tent with cascades of color and fragrance.

46th annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show

Learn More

Whale Fest


Whale Fest is taking over Downtown Fort Bragg on the weekend of March 15th through 17th and, like the migrating leviathans we celebrate, this year’s festivities will be bigger and better than ever. There’s a Downtown Wine Walk, the Fort Bragg Beer Festival, a 10k/5k Whale Run and Walk, a craft fair, live music, food trucks and much more.
Could there be a better time to visit Fort Bragg?
Of course, the whales will be moving through all winter, so if March 15th-17th doesn’t work out, no worries. Come anytime through April to see the amazing migration of Fort Bragg’s favorite cetaceans

All events take place rain or shine.


Saturday, March 16, 2024

Whale Run 5k & 10k and Fun Walk
Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg and Noyo Sunrise is proud to sponsor and host the ever-popular run and walk along the coast that includes a Kiddie Race, 10k and 5k runs and a Fun Walk.

Learn More and Register

Downtown Wine Walk

Saturday, March 16, 2024

The Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Bragg are thrilled to bring back the Fort Bragg Whale Festival Downtown Wine Walk. On Saturday, March 16 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM over a dozen merchants will host wineries and serve complimentary food to pair with wines.

Learn More and Sign UpWINE WALK MAP

Fort Bragg Rotary Club’s Beer Fest

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Rotary Beer Festival is back. Save the date and join us on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Eagles Hall (210 N. Corry) from Noon to 4:00 PM for an incredible selection of beer and some great live music from The Green Fields. Tickets are $40 and food will be available for purchase. So come taste some ales and watch the whales at this benefit for Fort Bragg Rotary Club with proceeds going to scholarships as well as local and international projects. 


Symphony of the Redwoods

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Andrew Sords will be the featured artist on violin, with Bryan Nies conducting as the Symphony of the Redwoods performs the works of Bruch, Victor Bendix and Borodin at Cotton Auditorium on Saturday, March 16th at 7:30 PM.

Learn More + Get Tickets

Town Hall Craft Fair

Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17

The Soroptimists are hosting a whale of sale at Town Hall from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Treat yourself to a unique shopping experience at two craft fairs — one inside and one outside. You’ll find a wide variety of amazing, handcrafted items, from quilts and toys to iron works, pottery, knits and crochet, jewelry, paintings, tools, and puzzles. You won’t find a better place to get a one-of-a-kind gift for a fan of Fort Bragg.


Noyo Center Whale Events & Exhibits

Friday – Sunday, March 15 – 17

Join the Noyo Center for Marine Science throughout March for a variety of special events and exhibits to celebrate Whale Festival and the annual gray whale migration. Click the link below for the full schedule and remember that your support helps the Noyo Center do its incredible work.

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Mendo Park Educational Activities

Friday – Sunday, March 15 – 17

Join MendoParks for free guided whale walks at MacKerricher State Park on Fridays and Saturdays in March, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. While you’re there, check out the gray whale skeleton articulation next to the Visitor Center.

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Whale Watching Tours

Looking to get up close and personal with Fort Bragg’s migratory whales? Multiple whale watching charters depart out of Noyo Harbor throughout the season. You’ll find them below on the coastal activities page. Be sure to reach out to them directly for current weather conditions and departure times.

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The Whale Trail

The Whale Trail is an organization committed to inspiring appreciation and protection of marine mammals, and several designated whale trail sites are in or near Fort Bragg, including Mendocino Botanical Gardens, Noyo Center for Marine Science and Laguna Point at MacKerricher State Park.

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Paul Bunyan Days


The Paul Bunyan Days Tradition Continues

Labor Day Weekend, August 30 to September 1, 2025

Paul Bunyan Days offer a fun, action-packed weekend:

  • Belle of the Redwoods
  • Kiddie Parade
  • Logging Show
  • Craft Faire
  • Trike Races
  • Fireman’s Water Fight
  • And More

Family friendly and always lumberjack rowdy, head into Fort Bragg on Labor Day Weekend to celebrate your favorite logger and his giant blue ox.

Paul Bunyan Days

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