Mendocino Whale Festival--Chowder

The Mendocino Whale Festival was the first weekend in March. It celebrates the migration of the gray whale from the lagoons of western Baja to the Bering Sea. The whales go south between December and February and go north between February and April. The whales come closer to shore on their northward migration because they are traveling with their calves.

Highlights of the weekend include a Chowder Tasting for $10 and a Wine Tasting for $35. New this year was also a sampling of beer from the North Coast Brewing Company.

We purchased our Chowder Tasting tickets online and were able to avoid the long line. It was worth the convenience fee of $1.34.

Local restaurants serve their chowder--most were New England white chowder but there were a few Manhattan red chowder. It was a small group--less than 10 restaurants participated.

Tasting kit with cup, napkin and spoon.

My favorite was the chowder from Cafe Beaujolais. It was thick, creamy and full of flavor--just the right amount of bacon flavor.

2015 03 07