Visit between july and september for the best chance to spot a blue or humpback whale. It was one of several that have appeared on bay area beaches in recent months. Download the whale alert app download whale mapp for android follow us on facebook news. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. To get up close and personal with the wildlife, book a tour with the santa barbara sailing center or the condor express. A county of northwest california north of san francisco and west of napa valley. Because of the topography of the land, this is the point where the gray whales tend to come the closest to shore. Travel guide sonoma county, california seasons of sonoma. Animals, bay area, beach, beached, carcass, dead whale, ocean, portuguese beach. Anywhere along the sonoma coast, sleeper waves can appear unexpectedly, washing unsuspecting visitors into the water. The annual northtosouth gray whale migration along sonoma countys coast peaks during the winter months, with good opportunities for whalespotting. The princess project provides free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who would otherwise be unable to attend their event.
Read ebooks online stream or download ebooks to your mobile device for. This video recording is part of a large series of television programs entitled sonoma county in the 70s, etc. Bea has been leading interpretive programs for state parks and the bodega marine. During whale migration season, many visitors will head to whale watch point. Jul, 2017 gualala point park sonoma county regional parks this gem of a campground is the farthest north, near the mendocino county border. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Winter in sonoma county is known for its dramatic skies, crisp air, and rushing streams. Animals, bay area, beach, beached, carcass, dead whale, ocean, portuguese beach, san. Drinking water is safe and continually monitored, but because the countys natural watersheds filter drinking water, it is critically important that ash, debris and other pollutants are prevented from entering stream systems to the maximum extent possible.
How to apply for assistance chronicle season of sharing fund. Giants migrate along the sonoma coast at bodega bay. Whale watching in sonoma county whale watching in sonoma county california is very popular because there are so many easily accessible prominent high points from which to watch for whales. We often head over to the headlands during februarymarch to try to spot whales in migration. January through may, volunteers from the whale watch public education program are stationed in this part of the sonoma coast state park on weekends 12 p. Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more. Whether you want to fish, see wildlife, or just relax on the pacific ocean, sonoma county charter boat companies can guide you to a memorable adventure. Apply to customer service representative, laborer, public affairs specialist and more. Welcome to the sonoma county intergroup felowship website of alcoholics anonymous. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. The annual northtosouth gray whale migration along sonoma county s coast peaks during the winter months, with good opportunities for whale spotting. Tucked beneath redwood and bay trees along the shore of the. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico.
California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Where to watch whales on the sonoma coast sonoma magazine. Are there any good whale watching areas along the coast. Whalewatching boat trip are offered by miss anita fishing charters, bodega bay sportfishing, bodega charters, or fish on charters. The highway takes you straight through several parks as well including several county parks around bodega bay, sonoma coast state park, fort. Every weekend at bodega head january through may no cost. Whale watching in sonoma county parks blog learn sonoma.
Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel resource. What began as a seasonal fluke off the coast of california in the 1950s has grown. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Establishes a county fish and wildlife propagation fund for the protection, conservation, propagation and preservation of fish and wildlife pursuant to fish and game code section 100. Nov 22, 2017 there are 617 streams in the areas affected by fire in sonoma county. We upgraded our trip to northern california but visiting sonoma. From bodega bay north, highway 101 tightly hugs the shoreline and provides many handy pullouts. Mendocino county, this oceanfront park marks the northernmost point on the sonoma coast. The peak months for whale watching are january through may. Where to go whale watching on the sonoma coast sonoma.
Join docent bea brunn for an interpretive talk and pacific gray whale viewing at bodega head. Sonoma county definition of sonoma county by the free. May 22, 2020 deva marie proto, county clerkrecorderassessorregistrar of voters, reminds sonoma county residents that the deadline to register to vote in the upcoming march 3, 2020, presidential primary election, is tonight, february 18, 2020 at midnight pacific time. We are staying in windsor and would like to keep the drive within an hour if possible. Sonoma coast ava and fort ross seaview ava grow elegant chardonnay and pinot noir on foggy, windswept bluffs, and tiny beach towns dot the coast, from timber cove south to bodega bay, each one a unique gem in the pacific coast crown. The north coast and the county s southern coast in bodega bay are popular areas to watch for whales in sonoma county parks. Going to the headlands can be an experience in itself, or combined with a trip to bodega harbour, the town of bodega and the whole sonoma county coastline. Dead whale washes ashore in sonoma county rohnert park, ca. Dear members of the princess project sonoma county community, weve made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel our 2020 dress giveaways.
February 12, 2018 the follow this story feature will notify you. Youll be looking for whales spouting water through blowholes, displaying their flukes tails as they dive in search of the tiny shrimp. The annual northtosouth gray whale migration along sonoma countys coast peaks during the winter months, with. The annual southtonorth pacific gray whale migration hits its stride along the. The sonoma coast combines the rugged splendor of the northern california coastline with the tranquility of gently rolling vineyards. Best place in sonoma county to whale watch tripadvisor. Mar 09, 2020 spring in sonoma county regional parks is the perfect time to see wildflowers in bloom, enjoy green meadows, hike or run challenging trails or just ample along at a slower pace. The number one spot for watching gray whales in sonoma county has to be bodega head, the headland associated with bodega bay. One of the prime whale watching spots in sonoma county, the steep and rocky bluffs of this peninsula offer sweeping views of the ocean. The original ifaw research vessel song of the whale spent several seasons. Where to go whale watching in the western usa visit the usa. Digital versions of books from the sonoma county wine librarys collection of.
Things to do in sonoma, whats new in sonoma county. In sonoma county, you and your dog can wander among ancient redwoods, romp on a national seashore, visit winetasting rooms, enjoy patio dining and stay at a place that doesnt just tolerate dogs, but actively courts them. A dead whale washed ashore at portuguese beach in sonoma county sunday, a state park ranger said today. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Regional parks team members recommend crane creek, helen putnam, shiloh ranch, sonoma valley and tolay lake parks for some of sonoma countys best spring hiking.
The annual southtonorth pacific gray whale migration hits its stride along the sonoma coast from late winter through spring. Embrace the season by downloading our winter activities guide and joining us for nature walks, trail running, whale watching, junior ranger adventures, and other outings. Mark west regional park, invasive species battle, voter. Spring on the sonoma coast offers residents of the county, as well as visitors, many amazing visual delights wildflowers everywhere, migrating pacific gray whales, pacific harbor seal pups, especially at the goat rock beach colony, and birds in breeding plumage and sitting on nests on the rocks.
Whale watching in sonoma county california is very popular because there are so many easily accessible prominent high points from which to watch for whales. As of the 2010 united states census, its population was 483,878. Dec 18, 2015 visit sonoma wine country any times of year, and enjoy all the beautiful seasons in sonoma county, california. Things to do in sonoma county december holiday events. More than half of sonoma county s 53 miles of coastline is dedicated to public use, but its often more scenic than recreational. If the weather is good, whales can be seen within a few hundred yards of coastal headlands, with prime viewing locations including bodega bay, bodega head and jenner in sonoma county, and mendocino headlands state park, little river and pomo bluffs park in mendocino county. Information about coronavirus 2019 novel coronavirus public health division.
Learn more about fishing, boating, and whale watching in sonoma county. Sonoma county tourism sonoma county hotels sonoma county bed and breakfast sonoma county vacation rentals sonoma county vacation packages flights to sonoma county. Spring on the sonoma coast offers residents of the county, as well as visitors, many amazing visual delights wildflowers everywhere, migrating pacific gray whales, pacific harbor seal pups, especially at the goat rock beach colony, and birds in breeding plumage and sitting on nests on the rocks off the coast that are part of the california coastal national monument. Every year, thousands of gray whales travel between mexico and alaska, one of the longest known maritime migrations. To see orcas, or killer whales, its best to take to the seas. Download this easytouseguide to your phone, and take it along on your next. Giants migrate along the sonoma coast at bodega bay the epic migration of whales peaks from january through may, but is visible during much of the year. May 24, 2015 dead gray whale washes onto sonoma county beach. Here you will find a schedule of aa meetings, aa news and events, and useful resources about sobriety for the newcomer about aa and our wonderful fellowship. Sonoma county, san francisco county, san mateo county, marin county. Springtime whale and seal watching sonoma county gazette. You can spot humpback whales breaching in the waters. Check back to their site as they expand the trail into california.
With the mild winter climate and summer crowds tapering off, its the perfect time to launch a wine country getaway. In the photo above, beachgoers in jenner happened to be in the right place at the right time when a whale surfaced just yards from them. Summer west winds subside in the fall making for perfect ocean conditions to go along with large numbers of whales present, making for outstanding whale watching conditions. There are several locations along the whale trail, where many whales can. Its december in sonoma wine country, and the holiday celebration is in full swing. On this journey, whales travel from the warm birthing lagoons along the baja peninsula to the frigid feeding grounds of alaskas bering sea. Gualala point regional park\, 42401 coast highway 1\, gualala\, ca 95445.
That makes it the perfect time to grab your binoculars, pile on layered clothing, and set out on a search. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. We went wine tasting for the first time, whale watching, did a safari. Where to camp to the sound of the ocean in sonoma county. Peak season to experience the grey whale migration is between february and may.
Sonoma county will allow additional businesses to reopen with new changes to the county s shelterinplace order, beginning on friday. Best whale watching on the sonoma coast tripadvisor. Bodega head park and sonoma coast state beach phone. Numerous rangerled programs are offered during the whale and elephant seal season. Just north of san francisco, sonoma wine country enjoys a climate that is. Working to protect our waterways in this rainy season.
Whale migration bodega bay the official bodega bay area. Sonoma county synonyms, sonoma county pronunciation, sonoma county translation, english dictionary definition of sonoma county. Springtime whale and seal watching on the sonoma coast. Aa sonoma county intergroup fellowship alcoholics anonymous. In a major development for both water rights and the environment on the north coast, an unlikely coalition of five regional entities today filed a plan with the federal energy regulatory commission ferc to take over the potter valley project, a hydroelectric facility that diverts water from the eel river. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. It is to the north of marin county and the south of mendocino county.