FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---Whale Alert

Whales & Whale Watchers Flock To Mendocino County For Best Season Years

Mendocino Village (February 1, 2007) – “Mendocino County is having the best whale watching ever right now,” says Greg Grantham, professor of Marine Sciences at College of the Redwoods, “Persistent high pressure means great visibility and very few waves. Places like Point Cabrillo and Fort Bragg provide excellent vantage points to see pods of migrating whales –right from shore.”

One of Northern California’s best kept naturalist’s secrets: Mendocino County’s coast is uniquely formed to invite the whales to swim in close, making it an ideal locale for whale watching right from the balcony (or hot tub) of your hotel.

At this time every year, California gray whales (and in lesser numbers humpback, blue and killer whales) can be seen making their annual migration at the rate of dozens of pods an hour – with some pods containing up to 20 whales each.

“There are so many whales this year, the crab boats have to be careful of them,” said Captain Tim Gillespie of All Aboard Adventures in Fort Bragg, Calif., which operates one of the whale-watching excursion boats. “This year, we have been seeing spouts within five minutes of leaving the dock.”

Don’t delay. Plan your Mendocino County vacation now while the whales are running! Some Inns, B&Bs and vacation rentals offer whale watching right from your own room or deck.

“Some of our Lodging members offer exciting whale packages, including lodging, up close whale watching, and gourmet dining,” said Scott Schneider, Administrator, Mendocino County Lodging Association. “We are one of the few locations in the nation where you can see these gentle giants right from your own room.”

To learn more about lodging opportunities in Mendocino County, call 1-866-STAY MENDO (866-782-9636). Or visit www.unspoiled.goMendo.com/conde

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Media Contact: Mark Sejvar, HypeHouse, Inc.
415-788-4114
mark@hypehouse.com