Festival of Whales & Parade  March 3-4, 10-11, 2012

Address: Dana Wharf 34675 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA 92629. dpfestivalofwhales.com

 Dana Point, Calif.--Whale watching season never really ends on the California coast, according to many tour guides and boat operators. However, they like to maximize their trips and some (like Dana Wharf)  launches again around January 1.

Festival of Whales Parade  Saturday March 3, 2012

Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Pacific Coast Highway from Selva Road to Golden Lantern in Dana Point. Parade's  40 Years of Magical Migration includes  floats and costumes. FREE shuttle service begins one hour from the parade start time. 

Other activities and events:

A Whale of a Block Party 10am- 5pm,  Dana Point La Plaza Park, Pacific Coast Highway North at La Plaza  danapointchamber.com

Dana Outrigger Canoe Club Race at Baby Beach

Woodie Car Show - Southern California Chapter of the National Woodie Club, So Cal Woodies will be escorted from the parade to the grassy areas along the Harbor walkway. Stroll along the Harbor walkway and enjoy this one-of-a-kind display!

Nash Metropolitans Car Show - The Metropolitan or "Met", is a classic car that was sold by Hudson, Nash and then American Motor Corporation ("AMC"). This little car was designed by Bill Flajole of Michigan and assembled by Austin Motor Co., in England. Met's were produced and imported for the American market from 1954 to 1961. nashmet.net

Art Show   at the Harbor Boardwalk &  Mariner's Village 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watercolor, oil, acrylic, and photography by many award-winning local artists will be available for purchase. Dana Point Fine Arts will donate a portion of artist's sales to Dana High Art Department. - The Dana Point Fine Arts Association

Whale of a Beach Cleanup-Festival of Whales Toast to the Coast from 9am-12 Noon at Doheny State Beach.
Lecture - Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching's special marine mammal lecture series 10-11 a.m.  at Harpoon Henry's.  Lecture $5 per person will be collected at the door (and also includes the continental breakfast). Call (949) 496-5794.
Ocean Institute Seashore Interpretive Family Hike - Guided family tidepool hikes through the Dana Point Marine Protected Area with Ocean Institute naturalists. Hikes are available on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited. Sign up at the front desk of the Ocean Institute after admission is paid,  $6.50.
Ocean Institute Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure -  2 pm to 4:30 pm. Cost:  $40 adults, $23 children 12 & under. Members, $36 adults, $21 children 12 & under (min. age 4).
Sailing Rides - Capri 14! Ages 5 and up, 12 pm – 4 pm. $15 per boat, three people maximum (half-hour session). Weather and conditions dependent. Lifejackets provided.  Call: (949) 492-3035.
Stand-Up Paddling Clinics - 45 min on-the-water clinics held each hour on the hour – weather and conditions dependent. Ages 14 and up, 10 am – 3 pm. $10 per person. Lifejackets provided. Call: (949) 492-3035.
Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour - Meets at 2 pm. Location: Bella Bazaar  34091 Pacific Coast Highway (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH) for the historic town center. Call (949) 248-8121.  Donations accepted.  danapointhistorical.org. 
Concerts - 12 Noon to 3 p.m. Grassy Area near Mariner's Village
Captain Dave's Kids Carnival - Near Baby Beach at Dolphin Deck,  24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free activities for kids.
Free Movies in the Park - Shark Tale - at 6:30 pm. FREE popcorn, hot beverages and snacks will be available. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic dinner.

Sunday, March 4

So Cal Woodies Car Show, Pancake Breakfast, Ocean Awareness Day, Diamond Dig and Sand Sculpting, Whale Tail Sculpture Dedication at OC Sailing and Event Center at 1 p.m.,  Whale of a Rubber Ducky Race  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   at Baby Beach (danapointwomansclub.com.)  Whale of a BBQ, Dana Wharf Sportfishing fishing clinic,  Seashore Interpretive Family Hike, Ocean Institute Whale's Tale Tallship Sailing Adventure, The Dana Point Fine Arts Association  art show and sale from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  and more!

Saturday, March 10

 Mickey Muņoz Mongoose Cup paddling & BBQ at Baby Beach, Dana Point Harbor. The Harbor Sweep Fun Paddle is open to any type of paddling craft and the Mongoose Cup will be contested solely as a stand-up paddleboard race (SUP). Event participants will receive a commemorative Mongoose Cup tee, delicious BBQ lunch and chance to paddle with surf legend Mickey Muņoz. Event registration will open Saturday morning March 12 at 7:30 a.m. The delicious and affordably priced BBQ is open to the public as well.

Music on the Lawns, Art Show, Beach Cleanup, Family Hike, Marine Mammal Lecture, Tall Ship Cruise, Whale Watching Film, Sailing Rides, Paddle Board Clinics, Dana Point Historical Society Walk.

Sunday, March 11

Festival of Whales Grunion 10K Run (includes 5K & 1K for kids)

Fishing Clinic, Whale of a Concert & BBQ, Music on the Lawns, Art Show, Beach Cleanup, Family Hike, Marine Mammal Lecture, Tall Ship Cruise, Whale Watching Film, Sailing Rides, Paddle Board Clinics, Dana Point Historical Society Walk.

 

Whale watching boats can be found in San Diego, Oceanside, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, and San Francisco.