We just received good news from MacKerricher State Park (about two miles north of the Atrium Bed and Breakfast Inn): every Saturday, from 2pm-3pm, through August 31, docents will lead a program about seals, seal lions and other mammals found in the Park.

Knowledgeable docents will discuss harbor seal and sea lion natural history from Lake Cleone parking lot.

A ten minute intermediate walk to an actual rookery is the grand finale!

Binoculars are provided.

While dogs are allowed on leash only, they must stay well back from the bluffs so as not to disturb the marine mammals.
 

For the past 30 years, the City of Fort Bragg has held a festival to celebrate the Gray Whale: the effort to save it in the 1970′s and 1980′s and the annual migration.

The annual migration of 20,000 whales — a roundtrip from Alaska to Mexico to give birth and find mates — takes place each December through April. A dozens whales were spotted off Point Cabrillo Lighthouse just this last weekend.

The celebration takes place the third weekend of March; this year March 16 and 17, as the female Grays escort their new calves north.

In or near downtown — and  just a few blocks from the Atrium Bed and Breakfast Inn — will be a chowder tasting (offerings by some of our best chefs), wine tasting (Mendocino County wines) and beer tasting (more than 50 different microbrews).

Of course, between food and beverage samples, there are docent-led whale walks: at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse (the whales come closest to shore here), the Mendocino Botanical Gardens and MacKerricher State Park. To find out more, visit MendoWhale.com. It’s a great time to be in Fort Bragg’s heavenly slice of the Mendocino Coast.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

South Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA (Map)

MAPA Abalone Cook-Off tickets available now

Information about the cook-off competition: One ticket allows the purchaser to serve as a cook-off competition judge with up to 10 tastes of the competing cooks’ recipes and to vote for the tastiest dish. Abalone is rich and 10 are sufficient. ‘Up to 10′ means that MAPA cannot guarantee 10 tastes because of ocean conditions that might affect the divers finding abalone or for personal emergencies. The abalone prepared in the cook-off is wild-caught, not farm-raised, making this a unique experience. The cook-off provides an opportunity to taste a variety of delicious recipes.

Each ticket will be assigned to one of three cook color-groups that will have up to 10 cook booths. By dividing the cooks into three groups, the cooks only have to provide 200 tastings instead of 600 (the maximum # of tickets sold).

If you love gourmet cuisine, excellent wines, live music, beautiful gardens, and the thrill of a spirited auction, then Fort Bragg is the place to be this weekend. Book your reservations now and make the Atrium your home base for Winesong, the annual charity event benefiting Mendocino Coast District Hospital, takes place Saturday, September 8.

Set in the spectacular Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the event this year features Celebrity Chef Bradley Ogden, who will prepare lunch for VIP ticket holders. As part of the Winesong auction, Chef Ogden has also donated a chance for 10 lucky individuals to help him prepare and enjoy one of his signature meals.

Following the wine and gourmet food tasting, the festivities continue with Winesong’s live and silent auctions. Bay Area celebrity Narsai David will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the auction. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.winesong.org.

Plan To Be Here For First Friday

You’ll want to plan on arriving September 7 to take in Fort Bragg’s First Friday activities. On the first Friday of every month local galleries and shops extend their hours into the evening, and a number of them offer complimentary beverages and nibbles. This is a great opportunity to experience the excitement of our local art community, and discover unique finds in the quaint shops of downtown Fort Bragg.

Don't Miss First Friday At Fort Bragg Galleries And Shops

We’re In The Heart Of It All

It’s an easy walk from the Atrium to First Friday shops and galleries, and a short drive to Winesong at the Botanical Gardens. Did we mention our breathtaking coastline, spectacular sunsets, redwoods and rivers? When you stay with us, you’re in the middle of it all! We hope to see you this weekend.

Just another beautiful day in paradise. That’s how many of us view life on the Mendocino Coast and in Fort Bragg.

One of  the really cool things about Fort Bragg is just how cool it is during the summer when folks “over the hill” (Ukiah, Willits, Redding, Sacramento and all points east) are suffering sweltering heat waves.

Call it an oddity of nature: when the weather is really hot elsewhere, the cooling fog is sucked in to Fort Bragg coves and beaches.

In reality, Fort Bragg is a steady 55 degrees year around. While  you might shiver at the thought, when the sun is out, the day will often feel more like 70.  True, Fort Bragg does have an occasional heat wave with temperatures soar into the 70′s for a day or two, but you can depend on being just plain comfortable outdoors anytime you visit.

If you’re looking for a really cool vacation, book a room at the Atrium and check out all there is to do, from hiking the redwoods to riding the waves in a kayak or fishing for salmon on a charter boat out of Noyo Harbor.

Filling the grills at the World's Largest Salmon BBQ

Just because July 4 falls on a Wednesday, doesn’t mean you have to miss two great annual Fort Bragg events: the fireworks show and the salmon BBQ.

You start your day with a big breakfast at the Atrium, then plan on loading up on Salmon, lots of sides and dessert in the afternoon. The parking is easy: Todd Point at the south end of town has plenty of space and a shuttle takes you to the BBQ site for free. There’s also music to entertain you, if all the people watching (3,000-strong last year) isn’t enough.

With summer days to look forward to, you’ll find plenty to do from riding the Skunk Train through the redwoods, horseback riding on the beach, exploring glass beach or hiking to the pygmy forest. Everything is close to the Atrium. To learn more, click here.