Whale Watch Inn

Welcome to the Whale Watch Inn. We are delighted to have you as our guest, and wish you an enjoyable and memorable stay. Whether you are visiting us for the first time or are a returning guest, we are prepared to serve you with the highest degree of professionalism and hospitality.

In this directory, you will find detailed information about our Inn’s amenities and guest services. We have other informational binders in the lobby with menus of various local restaurants, information on the wine and champagne selection we offer for sale, and information on Whales and other friendly critters we share Anchor Bay with. Should you require additional information or assistance, please speak with the Innkeeper.

This directory also includes valuable information and links to nearby points of interest and exciting things to do, and the fine offerings of our local businesses. Please take time to thank the local area merchants you visit, whose support has brought you this guest directory.

Thank you for staying at the Whale Watch Inn. We hope you will find your stay so pleasant that you will choose us again the next time you visit Anchor Bay / Gualala (silent “G” – wah-la-la). We look forward to welcoming you back home!

Sincerely yours,
Robert and Miren
Whale Watch Inn

• WHALE WATCH INN •
35100 South Highway 1
Gualala, CA 95445
800-942-5342

Property Layout

click image for larger view

Alcohol

We sell a limited selection of local wines (Navarro & Brutocao), champagne (Roederer and Scharffenberger) and beer for your convenience. Posted prices include sales tax. You must be at least 21 years old to purchase / drink alcohol. We have a binder in our Lobby with further information on the various wines and champagnes we carry.

Bar-B-Que

Feel free to bring your supplies or use whatever facilities we have available to have a bar-b-que. Open fires are only allowed in the meadow. Please advise the Innkeeper in advance before setting up. No open fires allowed inside the rooms, inside any of the buildings, or on any of the decks.

Beach Access

We are pleased to offer direct access to our beach down below in Anchor Bay Cove. Since we are about 80-90 feet up on the bluff, it is approximately 134 steps down to the beach one way. While the stairs are old, they are maintained, but use them at your own risk. Please do not use them at night as there are no lights. The beach is approximately 3/4 of a mile long, from one end to the other, with an ever-changing waterfall about mid-way, depending on the time of year. Pay attention to the tides if you choose to walk the length of it, as sometimes, particularly during the Winter season, you may find yourself cut off from our side of the cove. We have some beach chairs and towels available on a first-come first-served basis. Let the Innkeeper know if you see an animal on the beach that needs assistance.

Breakfast

A complimentary hot breakfast is brought to your room each morning at a time of your choosing. We ask for a half hour window to deliver breakfast to your room in the morning between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. You have a choice of coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate and freshly squeezed orange juice, V8 and apple juice. Our coffee is locally sourced in Mendocino from a Roaster of the Year Award recipient that specializes in organic sustainable Artisan coffee; the beans are ground fresh daily each morning in our kitchen. Our menu changes daily. Aside from the choice of beverages, we offer a hot entrée, a bowl of freshly cut fruit, and a warm pastry. We do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions; please advise us at check-in if you have any. When you are finished with your breakfast, please place your breakfast basket outside your front door. No need to wash up the breakfast items. We will pick them up.

Candles

Absolutely NO live candles allowed anywhere for everyone’s safety. We have battery operated candles available on a first-come first-served basis for your use while you are here.

Cell Phone Service

Verizon is the main service provider in Anchor Bay, and AT&T is a far second. If you need to make a phone call, or provide a number where you can be reached while you are here, you are welcome to use our landline 707-884-3900. Please let us know if you are expecting to receive any calls or messages.

Check-In/Check-Out

Check-in time is 3:00 pm. Check-out time is 11:00 am. If you would like a late check-out, please make arrangements with the Innkeeper in advance.

Complimentary Coffee / Tea

Complimentary coffee, tea and other beverages are available 24/7 in the Lobby and Whale Room.

Conference Rooms, Events & Weddings

Services are available for meetings, events and coastal / beach weddings. Please contact the Innkeeper for more information and see the section on Weddings towards the end. We would be more than happy to show you around while you are here. For information or to make reservations, please contact the Innkeeper.

Credit Cards

For your convenience we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards.

Emergencies

In case of a police, fire or ambulance emergency, dial 911.

Fireplace

Complimentary wood and fire log. The fire log provided is NOT a starter, and is good for 3-4 hours by itself. Please do not remove the paper from the fire log or it will not work. Just light the paper at either end where indicated by the arrows, and you are good to go for a few hours. Do not overload the fireplace with both wood & the fire log at the same time or the fireplace glass door, if present, may break. Please ensure that the fireplace screen/glass door is closed at all times when a fire is active, even when you are in the room. We are more than happy to keep you supplied with more wood and fire logs during your stay.

Food

We are a bed and breakfast. We are not able to provide room service for food. Please make sure you are well stocked up for the night, as most restaurants and markets close around 8:00 – 8:30 pm. You are welcome to eat in the Whale Room and use the microwave, toaster oven, tea kettle and coffee maker, as well as the plates, cutlery and glasses. Feel free to help yourself to ice from the freezer and fruit in the bowl on the counter. Please be respectful of other guests staying in the guest rooms at either side of the Whale Room. And we would appreciate it if you would leave the room the way you found it.

Front Desk

You may contact the Innkeeper by using the landline in either the Lobby or the Whale Room.

Gift Certificates

Looking for the perfect gift for that someone special but have no time to shop or have no idea what to give? Give them the luxury of rest, relaxation and quiet time with no telephones and TV. Pamper them with a stay at the Whale Watch Inn so they can recharge their batteries and feel rejuvenated.

Hot Tubs / Jacuzzis / Whirlpool Bath Tubs

Depending on which room you select, some have Hot Tubs on the deck, many have indoor 2-person Jacuzzi-type spa tubs, and some individual bath tubs have whirlpool jets for your soaking pleasure. Please rinse before using any of the Hot Tubs and Spa Tubs, as sand from the beach, oils and lotions can damage the motors over time.

Housekeeping

Please contact the Innkeeper for any housekeeping service needs, including extra towels, linens or blankets.

Ice

Please contact the Innkeeper for any housekeeping service needs, such as extra towels, blankets, firewood and ice.

In-Room Amenities

For your convenience, guest rooms come equipped with hair dryers and ice makers or mini-refrigerators. Upon request, we do have available a limited number of irons and ironing boards. If you would like to spend some time down at the beach, we also have a number of beach chairs and towels available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Internet Access

We are pleased to offer complimentary Wi-Fi in all our guest rooms and throughout the property. Select whichever “Whale Watch” network is strongest where you are. You will find the password for using this service on a card located in your room. It is the same password throughout, whether you are in your room or sitting on the bluff or in the Whale Room, so you can walk around and not lose service.

Keys

If you lose your key, please notify the Innkeeper immediately. We will gladly provide you with a replacement key.

Laundry

Coin-operated washers and dryers are available locally in our village of Anchor Bay. There is no dry cleaning service available.

Lost & Found

Please contact the Innkeeper regarding any items you may have lost or found. Whale Watch Inn is not responsible for lost items or any items left behind.

Luggage Assistance

Our helpful staff will be happy to assist you with your luggage. Please contact the Innkeeper.

Mail, Postage Stamps

Mail may be dropped off or picked up at the Front Desk, and postage stamps may be purchased there at the current postal rate.

Medical Care

We have a local clinic in Gualala. The Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS) is located at 46900 Ocean Drive, Gualala, CA 95445. They have urgent care available on call 24/7 and can be reached at 707-884-4005.

We also have the Mendocino Coast District Hospital located at 700 River Drive in Fort Bragg, CA 95437. Their phone number is 707-961-1234.

RCMS and the local ambulance service will help you with any medical evacuation services necessary. Gualala also has local Chiropractors, Therapists, and Dentists.

Messages

The Innkeeper will notify you if any messages have been left for you.

Newspapers

Complimentary copies of the weekly Independent Coast Observer (ICO) and other local papers are available while in the Whale Room.

Paper Towel

Please use the paper towels provided in your room for any spills, accidents and clean up. The white and grey cloth towels in your room are for your bath ONLY. As a courtesy to the guests that come after you, we ask that the bath towels not be used as placemats, tablecloths, on the floor as a bathroom floor mats, shoe shiners, cleaning rags, fireplace or deck cleaners, etc.

Pets

Dogs (only) are permitted in designated dog-friendly rooms, at the discretion of management. The five dog-friendly rooms are Sea Bounty, Golden Voyage, Heart Song, Love Song and Ocean Sunrise. They are all located on the ground floor. There is a pet fee of $30 per stay with a maximum of two dogs per room. Dogs must have all their vaccinations current, be potty-trained and under voice control. All dogs must be leashed when outside and crated if left alone in the room. No dogs are allowed inside the Lobby or Whale Room. Feel free to avail of the dog run at the SW side of the property. We do have doggie bowls, beds and towels available upon request on a first come, first served basis. Our beach is dog-friendly. There is a kennel in Point Arena in case you need a dog-sitter while you are here, as well as a Veterinarian and a Dog Groomer in Gualala.

Pharmacy

Our nearest pharmacy is located 10 miles north in Point Arena at 235 Main Street, Point Arena, CA 95468. 707-882-3025. They are open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends. For over the counter items, you may find some supplies available in one of our three local markets.

Reservations

Please contact the Innkeeper for future individual or group reservations or to inquire about weddings.

Restaurants

Listings of local restaurants may be found HERE. A binder with sample menus of the various local restaurants is also available in the Lobby. Most restaurants close around 8 – 8:30 pm; earlier if they are not busy, so plan ahead. Some close 1-2 days a week, typically on Monday and/or Tuesday. There are no local seafood restaurants per se, but most restaurants offer various seafood entrees and appetizers. Have cash in hand as some restaurants and stores do not accept credit cards.

Rollaway Beds

A limited number of rollaway beds are available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the Innkeeper in advance to request one. A charge of $30 per night will apply for a 3rd , or more, guests.

Rooms with Kitchens (Golden Voyage, Sea Bounty & Swan)

Please wash up whatever you use in your kitchen.

Saturday Night Social

Join us for complimentary light appetizers & beverages most Saturdays around 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the Whale Room. You must be 21 years old or older to attend. Ask the Innkeeper if there will be one during your stay.

Septic System

We are not connected to the local sewer system, so please be mindful when using the lavatory.

Smoking Policy

All of our rooms and buildings are smoke-free. Guests who smoke anything in their room will incur a $50 deep cleaning fee. Smoking is only permitted in the seating area at the top of the bluff, next to the stairs going down to the beach. Please dispose of all smoking material responsibly.

Telephone

Emergency: Dial 911 from the nearest telephone.
Innkeeper / Housekeeping: Follow the instructions by the landline in the Lobby or Whale Room Foyer.
Outside Calls: You are welcome to use our landline in the Lobby to make and receive local calls.

Television / Entertainment

There are no TVs in any of the guest rooms. Board games, magazines, books, puzzles and binoculars are available in the Whale Room for your entertainment during your stay.

Transportation Limo Service

There is no taxi service along the coast. And while all restaurants do offer take out, there is no delivery service. For any transportation needs, whether for tours, airport shuttle service, or whatever you may need, Mendocino Wine Tours & Mendocino Limousine offers a very flexible service and wide area of coverage for a minimum of three hours. Their phone number is 707-964-8294.

Weddings

Can you think of a better location to start your new life as a couple surrounded by all this natural beauty, with the sound of the waves in the background? Small or big, we will help you plan your dream wedding. You can have your ceremony on the beach, on the bluff or indoors in the Whale Room. Depending on the number of guests, you can also have your reception indoor or outdoors. We would be more than happy to show you around while you are here.

Whale Room

Whales are incredibly beautiful animals and such a joy to be able to see them in their own habitat. Whale watching season in Mendocino starts earlier and ends later than it does further south.

Gray whales are the species most often seen here, but you may also see some Humpbacks and occasionally a pod of Orcas. Their migration starts north in the Arctic Ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of Mexico. They pass our coastline heading south from around November/December through February, breed or have their calves in the Gulf of Mexico, and then turn around northward-bound back to the Alaskan Peninsula from February/March through May. And sometimes they surprise us by doing the unexpected and hang out all summer long along the Northern Coast. Best way to first spot them is with the naked eye, and a lot of patience. Once you see the spouts, binoculars can come in handy to see them up close. We do have binoculars available for viewing whales in the Whale Room.

Wi-Fi

Please see the section on Internet Access.

Safety & Security

Traveler Safety

Do not admit anyone into your room without first verifying his or her identity. If you are unsure of someone claiming to be an Inn employee, call the Innkeeper for verification before allowing entry.
Inn staff members will never ask for credit card numbers or other sensitive information. Please notify the Innkeeper if you receive such a request.
Do not leave cash or other valuables in your room or vehicle.
Always use all locking devices on the door. Before leaving your room, double check that windows and door are all securely locked.
Keep your room key with you at all times. Do not leave it unattended in your room or elsewhere.
Report any suspicious activity that you observe to the management.

Fire Safety

Upon checking in, locate the 2 nearest exits. Count the number of doors between them and your room, so that you can find your way out in the event of smoke or darkness.
If you hear an alarm or smell smoke, act immediately; don’t just investigate.
To report a fire, dial 911. Be sure to give your room name and location. A map of the facility is included in this binder. Then go to the door. If it is hot, do not open it. Turn off the fan or heater. Cover the crack at the bottom of the door with wet towels, fill your bathtub with water, and signal from your window. Do not break the window or jump from it. Cover your mouth and nose with a folded wet towel. Wait to be rescued.
If the door is not hot, and there is no dense smoke in the corridor, take your key, lock the door behind you and head for the nearest exit. If there is some smoke, crawl; the freshest air is near the floor. Proceed quickly but calmly. Do not panic.

Earthquake Safety

If you feel any shaking:

Drop, cover and hold on: drop down to the floor as soon as you perceive an earthquake has started; drop down before the earthquake drops you down. Then seek shelter / cover under a desk or table. Crouch down on your knees so that you can move with the table. Hold on to the table leg(s) so you can keep the table over you.
If there is no nearby desk or table, sit on the floor against an inside wall, away from windows, tall furniture or bookcases. Draw up your knees, bend your head toward your knees. Protect your head and neck with your arms.
Go outside once the shaking stops. Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes before leaving the building. If possible take valuables and medications. Avoid touching downed power lines. If access to exit doors is blocked by earthquake damage, wait for a rescue team.

Tsunami Safety

If you are at the beach or near the ocean and you feel the ground shake or see rapidly rising or falling coastal water levels, move immediately to higher ground and stay there until local authorities say it is safe to return. DO NOT wait for a warning to be announced. If the tsunami is caused by a remote earthquake or volcanic eruption, you will be alerted by a siren, radio broadcasts, local first responders and/or an alarm at the Inn.

Often the first wave may not be the largest. The danger from a tsunami can last up to 12 hours after the arrival of the first wave. Tsunamis move faster than a person can run and can be 30 feet tall or higher; sometimes much higher. Never stay near the shore or on the beach to watch a tsunami come in.