Like a mighty gray whale breaching the surface of the beautiful Pacific off the Mendocino County coast, the Whale Watch Inn has reopened. And if you're looking for a place to relax and revel in the calm, powerful beauty of that ocean and that coast, you should consider making this recovering gem your base of operations. A short drive to the restaurants, markets, art galleries and other artifacts of modern Northern California life, including multiple parks and trails. Grounds rich with local trees and well-tended flora. An eclectic selection of comfortable, television-free rooms and suites, some with kitchens or mini-refrigerators so you can lay in provisions and hide from the outside world. Free, fast Wi-Fi for when you want or need to reconnect to said outside world. A Whale Watch Lounge where you can read, play board games, heat some of your provisions or restaurant leftovers in the microwave (if there isn't one in your room) or just gape in slack-jawed wonder at the views. Several rooms have amazing views from windows or decks as well. A highlight of your stay will doubtless be any interactions you have with the marvelous Miren, She Who Runs Things at the Inn. Whether she's bringing your included hot breakfast to your room or recommending nearby attractions, Miren will definitely enhance your stay. There is a weathered, 134-step stairway that deposits you on a lovely stretch of beach. But if you walk, bike or motor to the nearby Anchor Bay Campground, you can buy a day pass that lets you skip those steps and walk comfortably to and from the beach with unlimited "in and out" privileges until sundown. It's not lavish, or pretentious, or overdone. It's comfortable, quiet, and in harmony with its surroundings. The Whale Watch Inn is a nearly perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy a perfect dose of some of the magic of the Northern California coast. read more

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I prepaid two nights on VRBO, coming from Healdsburg for R & R after driving West from Chicago--having preceded the furniture I need to complete my relocation, a couple nights of relaxation with a jacuzzi tub seemed in order. However, on arrival last night, the jacuzzi failed to operate, which I reported to site manager the following morning (this morning)...her response was that a, the previous occupant hadn't reported (that is my problem??), and b, jacuzzi repair would be expensive (see previous parenthetical). Also this morning I heated a cup of coffee in the microwave, lounged around (after reporting the jacuzzi sitch), then couldn't get microwave to work a second time (yes I have no shame, I'd rather reheat coffee twice than make a new cup), reported that and went off for a hike. (The area is gorgeous especially for a flatlander like me. And weather though 20-30 degrees cooler than inland was perfect with the correct clothes!) Eventually site manager sent ONE text promising a new micro when she was back onsite, but when I got back to room I could see nothing had changed...wondered if I was the problem, flipped switches, tried a different outlet for micro and...omg the electricity was 100% out, with sunset approaching and restaurants closing at 8 pm. So I threw everything into my car, drove 20 miles north and thankfully grabbed the last room at an inn (wildflower inn, point arena) where management seemed glad to see me and carried a microwave to my room so I could heat up my carryout dinner. I've asked Whale Watch for a full refund. Their negligence is inexcusable but I'll take an apology and a refund (and will never again believe their slick marketing). read more

I had an experience similar to that posted by Gina M's on 17 July 2025. On 20 July 2025 I received an e‑mail from the indomitable Miren, answering a message I'd sent a couple days earlier about making an accommodation reservation; her response was a very complete and informative, and confirmed that they had rooms available for the August dates I'd proposed. A couple days later I answered some questions she'd asked, and tried to complete the reservation by e‑mail, but did not receive a response. Since then I have tried multiple e‑mails and telephone calls. The e‑mails are not returned. The phone calls are forwarded to an automatic voice message system, where I am informed that that San Francisco (central) wireless number "... is not available." I've left several messages on that system, but the calls are also not returned I am sorry that this beautiful place may have closed; I am equally sorry, and a bit irritated, that they cannot update their Website, e‑mail responses, and telephone messaging system, to let us know what is happening. Yesterday I called the Anchor Bay Store, a gourmet food shop just down the road, and asked if they knew whether the Whale Watch Inn was still open; the lady who answered the phone had no news or other information. ¿Quién Sabe? read more

A hidden gem! I'm going to recommend this great place to everyone. The owner is so nice AND easy to chat to. She has thought about everything for travellers to experience, thank U Miren Heather & Enzo read more

They do not answer their phone or respond to emails . I assume they are closed or out of business

Do not hesitate to stay at the Whale Watch Inn! First Miren, the owner is an amazing host. She is very accommodating to your needs and preferences. Our room overlooked the ocean and my husband and I fell asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing. It was so relaxing and peaceful. Our room also had a dry sauna which was also relaxing. Miren is also an excellent cook and made us a breakfast with bacon egg cups, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit and to top it off apple turnovers! I highly recommend staying here. read more

What a lovely place. We came here for a babymoon and this inn surpassed our expectations. Everything was absolutely lovely. It has all the amenities I wanted - a fireplace in the room, views, two-person tubs, king size beds, private beach access. We picked the Crystal Sea room, and after seeing the other rooms I remain convinced that this is the best room. The bed has a view when you wake up including a skylight, and they bring a gourmet three-course breakfast to your door every morning. The juice is fresh squeezed and the pastries homemade. Mirena and Robert are absolutely spectacular hosts. They care deeply about their property and about every guest. They are super nice and friendly and kind people. It was my husband's birthday and they surprised us with cupcakes with candles with breakfast! So sweet! The decor is a little dated but definitely unique and it is cool how each room is different. The local restaurants are very good and very close by. The whale watch room is very special - it has a great view, and tons of games and books. They host a really nice Saturday night social. I think what really makes this place the best is the hosts though. When I was trying to pick a room, Mirena took the time to actually FaceTime me and give me a tour of the rooms. So way above and beyond the call of duty. We love the Whale Watch Inn!! read more

First off, I have to say Robert and Miran were wonderful people. They were kind and courteous and very friendly. They served us breakfast that was decent. I could not figure out what the butter and jam was for, then I was reading reviews and saw there were supposed to be croissants - not a big deal. This place has potential but needs work. They are working on it but there is a lot more work to do. The interiors are dated and musty. Bath fan was super loud. Bath spa did not work. There was construction and maintenance stuff all over the place. Our freezer was hanging out - kinda weird. I can go on and on but the bottom line is it needs a lot of work for its price point. read more

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This place is just amazing . Our room had amazing views and this place had access to a private beach . The room had some some journals written by people who had visited this place earlier . It was fun to read through them . The check in ans our process was smooth . Hospitality was great. They also serve you hot breakfast in the morning which was tasty as well as filling . All in all it was an amazing experience . read more

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We stayed at the Whale Watch Inn for our 1 year wedding anniversary and for my wife's birthday. The innkeeper/owner Miren was very welcoming. We arrived late Friday night, and stayed in the "Crystal Sea" room. Miren calls this room the honey moon room. The Crystal Sea was above the Morning Sunrise room (dog friendly). These 2 rooms were unattached to the other bed and breakfast rooms. This gave us more privacy. This is our first time experiencing a bed and breakfast and I must say that we will be coming back. The breakfast was delicious. The croissant that Miren makes is to die for. The view of the coast was gorgeous and the amenities in the room were perfect. Private beach which was just a flight of stairs away. Seen surfers breaking waves, maybe a good local spot to surf? Saturday evening from 5pm-7pm was the optional Whale Watch Inn social. Wine, beers, finger food were provided while you got to speak and mingle with other fellow inn stayers. Overall would give this place 5 stars! read more

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Yet another wonderful stay at this resort. It was Valentine's Day weekend and supposed to rain but it didn't and the weather could not have been better! The new owners are super nice and committed to make your stay enjoyable. Mirren was very helpful with suggestions on where to eat and other places of interest. We stayed in the Silver Mist Room. A room I stayed in on my honeymoon back in 1996 when the place was probably almost new. Things were different back then but I won't compare because it's not fair to the new owners but I will say that the furnishings and décor is a bit out of date, however, it's very clean and comfortable with private deck views that are unbeatable! Our room had a hot tub that I took full advantage of. It was very relaxing to look out to the sea in a soaking tub with a glass of wine! We enjoyed the room so much that I didn't want to leave so we never went to dinner. Instead my bf got takeout from the local Chinese Restaurant and it was divine to eat near the roaring fire. In the morning, we got a nice basket with breakfast inside. Scrambled eggs, ham, asparagus, melon & berries, coffee and all the trimmings, even croissants! LOVED eating on the deck. And the beautiful red rose gave it that "special something". Albeit small (the deck), it was intimate and relaxing. Before we left, we went down to the private area where the stairs lead to the beach. It's a very long way down and I only went halfway until I could see the pretty waterfall on the side. It's a tad small but still very lovely. This is a very nice place to go for special occasions and I'm pretty sure they allow dogs. read more

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After my boyfriend fell violently ill on a trip up the coast, we ended up veering into the Whale Watch Inn to see if the had any vacancies so that he could recover. (Gosh I really need to learn how to drive stick shift in case of emergencies). The couple running this bed and breakfast were so hospitable and let us relax in the whale room (most amazing community room ever) regardless if we decided to stay the night or not. So glad we did! While the property is on the older side and could use some updates, everything was perfectly clean, functional and comfortable. It was a million dollar view from our room, which had a wood stove to keep us warm and cozy at night. Breakfast was delicious, especially the turnover which was still warm. We'd definitely recommend staying here for the hospitality and the view. read more

Whale Watch Inn - View from the deck - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Gualala, California

We were lucky enough to have our elopement ceremony at the Whale Watch Inn because my now-husband and I stayed at their breathtaking B&B on our first anniversary, and left enchanted. We knew when it came time to plan the small ceremony we both wanted, this was the perfect place to go. It's a mixture of all the best things that California has to offer! You get sweeping views of the coast, you're in Sonoma (a mecca of food and wine), and the beachy locals are incredibly laid back and welcoming to travelers. Miren and Robert (the Whale Watch Inn owners) bent over backwards to make our day special, including giving each of our 8 guests a tour of the grounds to make sure they felt at home. Needless to say, we had a wonderful day full of laughter, love, and family celebrations that went late into the night. As part of our elopement package, they gave us the Whale Watch room for our reception and if you stay here, you simply MUST spend time in this room! It's a spherical wonder that is reminiscent of the retro beach cottages that line the road as you drive up to the spot. With a wall of glass and an overlook that puts you right up at the edge of the coast, you have unfettered visual access to whales breaching the cresting waves, otters frolicking in the kelp beds, portly seals dipping in and out of the makeshift cove, and awe-inspiring tidal pools that are perfect for kids to and adults to explore and discover. We were married on their newly rebuilt porch that sits atop an adorable garden of succulents (a kismet match to the greenery we used in our wedding) with the rolling waves and gull cries as our ideal backdrop. You're surrounded by towering trees and lush beds of flowers (both wild and planted) so you feel as if you've just been dropped onto the moon of Endor (yes, that is a Star Wars reference, and yes, we did get married on May the 4th.) It's a romantic location for anyone looking to get away or get back in touch with nature. It's secluded enough to make you feel as though you're in your own world and rich with wildlife to give it kind of a "BBC's-David-Attenborough-goes-to-the-golden-state-coast" vibe. Also, let's talk about the rooms. With fireplaces, comfy beds, free firewood, picture windows, and giant soaking tubs (one room even has its own sauna!) you won't need a TV. Don't worry, they have internet access if you're desperate for contact from the outside world. But I promise, you're going to be so entranced by the breathtaking views and seascapes surrounding that coastal area, you're not going to care about checking your social feeds. No two rooms are alike, so no matter where you stay, you're going to have a fantastic view and a cozy place to snuggle up with a good book and a glass (or three) of wine at the end of the day #nojudgement. I'll update with photos of the day as soon as I have them, it's truly a gorgeous location and wonderful place to stay. read more

I can not say enough wonderful things about Whale Watch Inn and it's owners Miren and Robert. If I could give a million stars, I would. This magical, heavenly place by the sea was the perfect romantic escape. We loved every minute of our stay and it was so incredibly hard to leave and make our way back into reality. I've been dreaming of going back ever since we left. We stayed in the Pacifica Room, the most lavish suite they offer at $300/night, but that of course includes breakfast for two. As mentioned in other reviews, if you are looking for a modern or glamorous B&B keep looking, as Whale Watch Inn is more outdated and for me, it had a very nostalgic feel to it, and I love that. The Whale Watch room (big room that is a shared space w/ kitchen, fire place, wrap around deck and incredible ocean views) had a cabin-y sort of smell that really took me back. Each room is special in it's own way. During our stay there were no other guests at one point, so Miren showed me around and let me peek into several other rooms to see what they were like. The pictures on the website do not due the rooms justice at all, so it was really fun to see some of the other rooms I had been interested in when booking our reservation. Now I have an idea of what other rooms we may reserve next time we visit. The Pacifica room met all of our expectations, and was a fantastic room to live in for 3 nights. The two person tub in the middle of the room was amazing. I took a total of 7 baths in 4 days, haha. It was so dreamy to gaze out the glass doors and see nothing but ocean while bathing. Each room also has a fireplace, and that's a really nice touch, especially for those who don't have one at home. We used it often. The Pacifica room is special in that it's pretty spacious, but the real treat is the big window seat facing the ocean. No other room has that, and it's a nice spot to relax and read, or just look out the bluff and watch the sunlight shimmer across the water. And, even though it was a queen sized bed (they don't have any king suites available) I slept better at Whale Watch Inn than anywhere else I've stayed when away from home. I imagine the sounds of waves crashing all night had something to do with us getting such restful, deep sleep. Every morning we woke up refreshed and ready for Miren's delicious breakfast. She turns it out in the kitchen! The first morning we had the best scrambled eggs I've ever had over ham with asparagus, fresh fruit and apple turnovers, plus fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee. Day two we had those amazing eggs again, with potatoes and chicken apple sausage, more fresh fruit, OJ and blueberry muffins. The final day we had a delicious scramble with potatoes, fruit and an enormously light and fluffy croissant that was to die for! No flimsy continental breakfasts here. It's the real deal, and we loved every bite. The weather couldn't have been better when we were there in early June (3rd-6th). We had sunshine and warmth daily, and no clouds in the sky. We hung out at the private beach a few times during our stay. The stairs were sturdy, yet for someone like me who has a thing with heights, it was a little tough going down the stairs...going back up was far less scary to me. They are a neat set of super old stairs though, and you are right there on the beach, so you can't beat that! We didn't utilize the Whale Watch room all that much, but it was filled with games and funtivities. I mostly went in there for ice, but it was a really cool hang out zone and they leave out tea, coffee and fruit for you to help yourself to. They also do a cheese and wine mixer on Saturday nights, but we did not attend as we were too excited about our room to leave. Miren and Robert did everything in their power to make sure we were happy and comfortable during our stay. It was really nice visiting with them and learning about the property and the work they have been and are putting into it. They are kind of living my dream so it was fun to chat with Miren and ask questions. The property is GORGEOUS and very well kept. I loved drinking my morning coffee out in the open "smoking area" that overlooks it all. What a way to start the day! Definitely take a drive up Hwy 1 and visit Mendocino County. We went to the botanical gardens in Ft. Bragg and it was so beautiful, and Mendocino is such a cute, artsy town that has many nice shops and places to eat. There's a Thai place in Anchor Bay that we heard was good, but we didn't get to try them out. The Black Point Grill at the Sea Ranch Lodge provided me with the perfect birthday dinner though. If you are looking for a nice place to eat with a killer view, go there. We loved it. After we reluctantly left the Whale Watch Inn, we decided that because we loved our stay so very much, we will be coming back as often as possible, but at least once a year hopefully. This is the gem of Anchor Bay that everyone should experience, and we can't wait to visit again soon! read more

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We LOVE this place! Our new favorite little getaway :) The lady we checked in with was so sweet and kind to show us around the property and tell us a little history on the place. Our room is so so clean and comfy with an amazing view, a couple chairs on the porch next to a juccuzz. We got to bring our little dog with a warm welcoming. I can't say enough, oh and huge, warm and delicious breakfast, eggs, sausage, potatoes and fruit!!! This place is so awesome! Love it and can't wait to come backxo read more

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Go for the views, stay for the hospitality! We had been beach hoping and leisurely driving south on 1 all day when our Airbnb plans flopped. After several No Vacancies between Fort Bragg and Gualala, we came across Whale Watch Inn by the Sea. It was late so we had no idea of the view but the hosts were incredibly welcoming and lit a fire as soon as we entered the room. The room was outdated and a bit musty, however, it was clean and cozy. The bathroom was spacious and the bed very comfortable. Upon waking, the beautiful view was a huge surprise. Breakfast was a nice addition; fresh pastries, carafe of coffee, fresh fruit, eggs, sausage, toast. It was by far the best service I've experienced in my 6 years living in NorCal. Would go back again without question. read more

Update Feb 4, 2013: So, it's possible that their cleaning services could have taken an expensive prescription medicine from my room. I am truly saddened to even think it's a possibility, but all of the evidence is leading to this explanation. Our great stay ended with a sour note. I'm positive that it was not misplaced, and the empty walgreens bag it was located in was even recovered in their dumpsters after I was reassured that the maids never removed the walgreens bag from my room. I feared they would have thought the bag was just trash and threw it out, to which the owner replied: 'our maids wouldn't remove any bags from the room'. After a few phone calls begging for help, they did look through their trash and found the original walgreens bag, with no medication inside. I almost WISH the item was something frivolous that I don't NEED to replace, like jewelry or something - so I wasn't forced to pay what is going to be an expensive replacement....This whole thing is a huge financial loss for me, as each prescription is $249, and now my doctor is making me come in for another visit to give me another prescription, which is $220, plus the cost of a brand new prescription - all out of pocket for me. A financial loss I can't afford right now. This whole thing is so unfortunate and I just can't believe something this bizarre would happen. If I had been there alone, I would definitely just think I misplaced it or something, but my sister was there for the duration of everything, saw the prescription in our room, and also searched the room before we left...we would have found my prescription had it not been removed the day before we checked out. I guess it's possible it fell out of the walgreens bag into the trash somewhere, but they said they searched the trash thoroughly which means the medicine disappeared somewhere, and I had them search our room after we left - and our room had not yet been cleaned. Just very very disappointing.... even the possibility that it might have been taken. Make sure to put a tight watch on any expensive belongings. Nothing else was taken. Bizarre thing to go missing. Its a real, real shame this whole thing. --------------------------------------------- Original review: God some of these 1 star reviews are maddening to read. I don't think one should come here with "first class" in comparison to the Wynn in vegas expectations...bed and breakfasts are usually quaint and owned by one or two people, not a megacorporate casino conglomeration like the Wynn which I love by the way...appreciate the little things that make this place unique and charming. Also, contrary to another review, I think the guest book is a really cute idea, and if they published a book out of the "gross little notes" (which they're not...what weirdo would say that? They're charming and raving about the whale watch in, hater) that is a very lovely idea. The room decor is a little dated, but all the great things make up for it. A huge jacuzzi bathtub, fireplace in every room, clean rooms, comfortable beds, outdoor deck/patio, the BEST BREAKFAST I'VE EVER HAD every morning...I LOVE this place. They're a little b&b on the coast trying to survive like everyone else and they really do a great job and put a lot of effort into their abode by the sea. I for one appreciate their efforts and this cozy little place. Fantastic views too, and dog friendly! Love it. read more

If you can't enjoy this place - your life probably sucks. For that, I feel sorry for you. Facts: The views are gorgeous. The gardens, landscaping is enchanting. The staff is friendly, warm and accommodating. The decor isn't the most modern - BUT - it doesn't look used/old, etc. It just looks a bit pastel'y for my taste. Honestly, if you come here and you leave without feeling relaxed, happy, closer to yourself or whomever you're in company with then I just have massive doubts about your ability to just "be" happy. It's gorgeous. Worth the cashola. And, should be enjoyed for more than 24 hours. Funny perk: there are journals in each room signed by people who've stayed there before you. Some of them are racy "We made gorgeous love together as the wind blew outside." Read these with a bottle of wine and you'll get a good laugh. We stayed in the Cypress room. It was awesome. Our breakfast was super damn good. Go there. Enjoy it. read more

My wife and I have stayed at the whale watch inn over 20 times. Over the years. It is our go to place. We were sad to hear that it closed late 2014. And it took forever to hear of new ownership. We had been spoiled there. And we're very concerned about changes. After they reopened. We stayed for New Year's Eve 2015. the new owners are very friendly. They live here. So they are invested. Unlike the last owner. Of whom it was an investment. We will definitely be back! So glad our little slice of heaven is in good hands! Happy new year! 2016. read more

Whale Watch Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Gualala, California

Ahhh The Whale Watch Inn..... Just saying the name stokes a little fire in my heart. Out of all the hotels in Gualala, the WWI fit my budget and my expectations. Each room is themed with some romantic overture. I personally fell in love with the room morning light $(190 a night). Not only did my room have a private balcony with an unbeatable view, but there was also a private sauna in the bathroom ( my mind was blown). There also was a fireplace with endless wood. I really enjoyed the little pathways leading up to the rooms and the private little gates. It's little touches like that which really get me. Unfortunately I had to leave before breakfast was served, so I can't give any honest feedback on the eats. I can however sing some praise about the customer service. Kazie ( I think that was her name?) went above and beyond during my stay. She tracked me down and tailed after me when I went on a nature hike just to let me know my boyfriend had arrived. I felt that was some true old school first class customer service. I didn't come to the Whale Watch Inn to lay my head on silk linens and to walk on Persian rugs, I came to learn the true definition of intimacy.... And I learned it very well. WWI is a retreat to getaway and to just let go. It didn't possess fancy decor, but it did engrave a special place in my heart. Thank you WWI I've told all my friends about you. read more

Amazing place, beautiful views and incredible service I would highly recommend the Whale Watch Inn to anyone staying on the Mendocino Coast. The rooms are clean and offer incredible views of the ocean. The owner, Miren, is a delightful person and made us feel like part of the family. She served breakfast in the room each day, and they offered wine and cheese in their well-pointed common room called the Whale Room. This room had books, games, refrigerator, coffee, and a microwave in addition to the stunning views. read more

Recently re-opened, under friendly new management, the Whale Watch has come out of a rather difficult period. That said, there is nothing quite like this Mendocino gem. We just returned from spending a wonderful, long Christmas holiday weekend there, where we stayed in the "Bath Suite". Perched near the bluff's edge, with a spectacular sunrise view of the CA coastline, through well-manicured trees, a fireplace near the foot of the bed with plenty of wood or easy-light logs, a wonderful, nice-sized hot tub room with two walls of windows overlooking the nearby bluffs and water below located at the top of our own spiral staircase , plenty of peace and quiet and a very nice breakfast every morning, we found it quite difficult to leave. Hosts Miren and Robert are a very warm, nice and attentive couple and have already put lots of energy into sprucing the place up from its somewhat frayed-at-the-edges condition. There are classic wooden stairs that lead down to a small, semi-private beach below. There are finer beaches on the coast but there's something quite nice about being able to walk from your suite and be on the sand in less than 5 minutes. The large, common area "Whale Watch Room" is in-the-round and has great views of the coastline from its windows and exterior deck. It's stocked with all manner of homey things for just chilling out there, as if you're in your own living/family room. There's a kitchen, a coffee/tea maker, a fruit basket, interesting books, a telescope, typical, fun family games and a fireplace with a lit fire in the center of the room. Each suite has a different floor plan; many with hot tubs and almost all with some view of the coastline. I've sampled several of them over the past 15 years and have never been disappointed. Breakfast is served around the time you request it and it is big! There was a freezer in our room for cold storage, in case you can't finish the the whole meal and want to save it for later. I don't think one can get anywhere near the value, ambience, amenities, view and size/quality of suite for what one pays at The Whale Watch. This is a place to dream about while away and to come back to in the years ahead. Thanks, Miren & Robert, for saving this gem from neglect and for being such nice hosts! read more

We just got married this year and after packing and moving two houses into one, we needed some R&R and we found it at the Whale Watch Inn. We drove from Novato through the Bodega Bay fog in November and were blessed to have sunny weather as soon as we arrived. Our room was lovely, the Pacific room overlooking the ocean; we enjoyed seating in the window seat. The two person bathtub and the sounds of the waves contributed to our romantic weekend away from the stress of moving. We enjoyed making a simple dinner at the Whale Watch room and sharing some champagne. The bed was very comfortable! The new owner Miren was lovely to connect with; she was so kind to mail me back a ring a left behind and even a throw blanket I forgot I left in the room. We look forward to our next visit to the Whale Watch Inn and saying hi to Miren. It's so good for the soul to take time away together and enjoy the coast; we found our romantic get away at the WW Inn. read more

Whale Watch Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Gualala, California

The Whale Watch Inn is certainly beautiful - the ocean views are breathtaking - but pretty much anywhere along the Mendocino coast will give you that. The delivered breakfasts each morning are definitely a selling point, but I feel that for all the good reviews I've read here on Yelp, there need to be some caveats about the cleanliness, and well, overall skeeziness of the place. Like another reviewer, I stayed in the Lovesong room. And I too hope that the hot tub is cleaned after each guest because it's a little weird that the owners seem to embrace all the sex people have in their B&B - the owners have even published a book full of the trite and downright gross little notes and (yep) poems that get left in the guest notebook. More to the point, we could hear the couple next to us doing their business regularly. There were indiscriminate bugs on the wall when we arrived and ants by our second day. The room decor was quite dated and I felt pretty dirty the whole time I was there. I liked the no TV aspect but with a nasty loud couple next to us and a gross room, I mostly just wanted to get out of there - luckily the beautiful Mendocino village and many hiking trails aren't too far by car... read more

I have emailed their information email address twice, received a read receipt but no reply, called their phone number during business hours only to go to voice mail, left a voice mail message twice, no call back, this was all over a 2 week period, how can you run a place when you do not communicate with customers? read more

What an amazing stay! I cannot say enough about this place or its owners. It's has the most amazing views from every part of the property. We stayed in the French Country room, which had a 2 person soaking tub, 2nd story sitting room with a fire place, wet bar with a view of the ocean and private patio with the best view of the ocean you could ask for. The breakfast that is served to your door every morning is out of this world delicious and huge! last but not least, the owners. They are the most wonderful host I have ever experienced, They put some much love into this place it makes it feel like home. From late night chats in the whale watch room to the bottle of wine they surprised us with for our anniversary, I cannot say enough about them. They really make you feel like family. Love love love this B&B! read more

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I don't take pleasure in writing this sub-par review , but I wish someone else had written an honest review of the Whale Watch Inn. If someone had done so, we would have looked for a better match for our holiday. To wit, when an inn purports itself to offer "first class" accommodation at prevailing rates for such, it should be truly first class. The Whale Watch Inn appears to be a shadow of what it might once have been . . . in the 1980s wherein much of its decor still resides. Photos of rooms on the website do not match the reality of the rooms which is, at least, a disappointment . . . and causes the mind to turn over what else might not be as nice as advertised. More specifically and in limited measure, the quality of the linens should be upgraded as polyester blends are not first class. Eggs, eggs, eggs - even when prepared differently and adequately each morning - is not satisfying. Stains on the carpeting and similar other quakes in the facade are not first class. We hope the Whale Watch Inn will improve and thrive in the future, but we will not return and cannot recommend it. read more

We stayed in "Morning Light" room and for sure will be back. I can't even describe all of it with words, you gotta feel it. I visited Mendocino county for years and love the area, but this spot is certainly a winner. Dramatic view, sound and smell of the ocean, trees, fireplace, house vine and nothing else... You don't have to see any people, but if you do, they do smile... No TV or phone... Everything in the room made with care and you can feel it and breakfast was so homey that you just can't wish for more... If I'd be a shrink, this place would be my prescription for any stress related problems. Alone or with your love (if he/she is not one of your stressors) you'll enjoy it! It is the place to stop and smell the roses! read more

My wife and I stayed at the Whale Watch Inn for our 4th anniversary. We spent the weekend in the Lovesong room. Very comfy new bed, nice fireplace, great view of the ocean, nice hot tub, breakfast brought to you every morning... Yeah, it was nice. We were told the bed we had was just put in there 2 days prior. Nice to know, especially after reading those journals other guests have written in. Some romantic, some funny, some... um... boastful. Hopefully, they clean the hot tub after each guest, too. They give you plenty of wood and starter chips for the fireplace, and if you run out, just ask for more. The view from the bed was great, and from the deck, even better. You could sit in the hot tub and look out at the ocean, or sleep with the sliding door open, and listen to the ocean. Nice bathroom. Shower only, but who uses a tub anymore? If you want to soak, there's the hot tub. Room for two in the bathroom, and plenty of drawers and counter space for your stuff. I'm not much of a breakfast person, but the wife enjoyed the breakfasts. We popped in for the wine and cheese, in the whale watch room, but there were no whales, and the wine was from Stockton!?!? Grabbed some salame, had a Coke, and went back to enjoy the room. As for nearby eating, although some places might be considered walking distance, it's a dangerous walk on Highway One, so we always opted for the short drive. See my other reviews about where we ate. Great place. I would stay here again. read more

The Whale Watch Inn launched my everlasting love for Bed & Breakfasts. From the "Whaling" room where you can actually see whales out in the ocean, to the breakfast basket that's delivered to your room in the morning, the Whale Watch Inn has left no detail out. I celebrated my 19th birthday here. For dinner, try Oceansong. read more

The husband and I have stayed here a few times; and I have never been disappointed, by either the husband or the Inn. We usually have dinner delivered to the room, from some restaurant down the road. Then we have the staff of the inn serve us on our balcony, to cool. The rooms are nice, maybe a little outdated; but with the ocean, little towns to visit, and hikes to go on, your not in your room all that much. I do like the bath tub/hot tub in each room and the notes/stories in the journals that other guest have left. It's kinda like spying on them, but doing in legally. I love the ocean (only up north), I like to find a rock, sit down with some wine and enjoy the sunset...I can feel the Mendocino coast calling. read more

My wife and I stayed here for our one year anniversary. The place was top notch. It was small enough to get that personal feeling, we enjoyed talking with the owner over wine and cheese at the common room, which has an amazing view of Anchor Bay. We stayed in the Lovesong room, which has a two-person spa that is on the porch overlooking the ocean. The breakfast brought to our rooms was great and the gardens were very well kept. The Whale Watch Inn has the ability to make you realize how great a quiet weekend away can be for the soul. read more

My fiancee and I picked this place to stage a little weekend getaway after a co-worker suggested it. I am SO happy that we did. It is a quaint little B&B that has more of a theme hotel feel. They bring you delicious breakfast every morning, and our room (Heartsong) had a fireplace inside of it, a view of the ocean, and a private hot tub...AMAZING! The staff are all very friendly, and the area has a many-layered culture that we spent that weekend sifting through (much to our amusement). I've seen some of the negative reviews and I have to say, the room we stayed in had dated decor, but it was very clean and very nice. I don't go to B&Bs expecting something akin to staying at the W....also, there WERE little journals in the room from past occupants...and they were quite graphic in their descriptions...but we found this to be quite entertaining and very charming. Come on people, do you think that ANY hotel bed you sleep in hasn't had naughty business in it? Wake up. I did NOT leave my own little entry...but overall the stay was wonderful. I will be going back and I will be sending my friends to Whale Watch Inn! read more

We spent a night here with another couple and a dog. We loved this place! We had the Showcase and Reflection rooms. There were a few cute touches that really made things special, like welcome glasses of wine (or juice), wine and cheese, fire-burning fireplaces already set up to be lit, and very helpful staff. Both rooms had direct water reviews with a great view of catching the sunset, and even a partial sunrise if you wake up early :) The Showcase room is bigger, has a nice seating area and two private decks. The Reflection room has a smaller seating area, but has a two-person whirlpool with a glass window that looks outwards with a view of the water. Delivered breakfast was delicious, and we opted to have ours on the deck overlooking the water. There's also a small walkway giving access to a very nice semi-private beach right in front of the inn that is very dog friendly and most importantly, quiet! Our only regret was that we wish we had more time to spend here. We're looking forward to coming back again and spending a couple of days! read more

Truly a destination getaway! Nestled between the Cypress trees with the ever expanded Pacific Ocean as it's backyard, the WWI confidently invites one to let go and just be. Life has become so rushed and "right now,' deciding to take a different path for a bit, requires a little adjusting. For my wife and I, the quiet and the stillness was jarring at first, but soon became as familiar and comforting as that old ratty something-or-other we each keep around because it just makes us feel better. The accommodations are charming and romantic - especially, with the warmth, crackling sounds and soft glow of a nice fire. We found the staff to be courteous, attentive (we were not looking for pampering) and professional. Take the time to re-balance yourself. Feel the wind on your face. Feel small standing next to the ocean. Re-connect with that special someone. The experience will leave you enriched. read more

My husband and I went there for our anniversay because we were given a gift certificate. I personnaly would not go back. We didnt have to pay for the room because of the gift certificate which is a good thing because the room we stayed in would have cost us nearly $200. The only good thing about it was the view of the ocean and the owners were very nice. The room was tiny and the decor was very outdated. There was a wood stove/fireflace in the room about 2 feet from the foot of the bed. The room smelt very musty and just was icky. No T.V which was no big deal but may really bother others. If you wan to get away awith few amenities this is the place for you! They do bring breakfast to your room in the morning which was nice. read more

Oh my goodness, Yelp failed us on reviews this time. I wish someone would have had the heart to do a much needed, factual review of this place. I think it would have been more helpful for as as customers. My husband and I were looking for a B&B to spend a quiet, relaxing, and restful weekend to reconnect and pamper each other. A get away from daily life, work, recovery, and just plain splurge a bit if you will. Let me start by saying how sad it is that I have to write this review, it's unfortunate, because the keepers of the WWI are such gracious, welcoming, and kind people. For them and their warm welcome, five stars no doubt. The rest of the review is honest and necessary, maybe it will lead to some much needed changes for the WWI. My husband and I booked a weekend from Fri to Sunday, and assumed for the 230 plus a night price tag, glowing reviews, and proprietor's video it would be well worth it. We arrived late Friday night, after driving over six hours and walked into a musty smelling and dated lobby. I was immediately concerned. The lady of the house and her husband were so warm and welcoming with a glass of white wine that I put my immediate concern away and hoped the room was less dated. After speaking with them for a bit, she graciously offered to upgrade us to the Showcase Room since it was our Anniversary as well. We loved that she offered to do that, and were very happy. After leaving for a bit to go grab a bite to eat we returned about midnight to our room. The room has a strong, overwhelming musty smell like the lobby. The decor was once, in it's time, tastefully done, but strongly needs a makeover. The room is very cold, thankfully there is a fireplace and extra linens. My husband starts a fire, turns up the heat, and I go to start a bubble bath in the hot tub, only to find there is no jacuzzi as we were lead to believe in the video. It was a single person tub with ten jets from the '80's. We have both been in the car for six hours and are quite sore so we opt to make do and enjoy the tub anyway. I turn on the tub and it is so loud and barely moves the water so I turned it off. I did not want to be that guest who wakes up the whole house. After a quick bath, time by the fire, and a glimpse of our ocean view we head to bed. Only to find, the heat doesn't work in the bedroom and although the bed linens are very clean, the bed itself is beyond old and uncomfortable. We woke up quite early the next morning, I'm sure neither of us slept much. I will say though, the view outside our patio was beautiful. Our breakfast was served promptly at eleven which was delicious. The coffee was good and strong and the croissants were deliciously buttery delights. My husband loved them. The breakfasts were definitely five star. You could tell they were prepared with much care and detail. Again, another reason why this review is so hard to write. We then decided to check out the beach and enjoy that beautiful ocean view. There are many, many steps to get down to the beach. Many of which are dangerous at best. I would certainly not trust them with my kids, elderly, or even myself. They are a crumbling mess that at one point, leaves you nothing but a small chain in the side of the cliff to hold on to. Once you get to the last few steps there is a 3-4 foot drop to get to the actual sand. Sadly, we never got to the actual beach outside our room. We enjoyed the view from the steps a bit and headed into town to enjoy some shopping and site seeing. We returned to our room Saturday evening after enjoying the lighthouse, numerous beaches, a delicious dinner and some much needed time together. Once we had a chance to sit down in our room, we talked about just how little our room reflected the video that had sold us on this B&B compared to the others available in the area. The room was dirty, with old bugs on the mismatched lamp shades. Old, bent, metal blinds. The carpet was vacuumed, but had many stains on it. No tv, microwave, coffee maker, or patio access. The patio outside was size enough for one at best. We had planned a couples massage for Saturday, but between the beach access issues and our room, weren't sure where we could comfortably do that. (I think there are laws against massages in the back yard in ones birthday suit. Lol) Although the Inn keepers are very warm and welcoming and the croissants delicious, I feel the WWI just WASNT AT ALL worth the 230 plus dollars a night. We were expecting a lot more amenities and updates for our money. At least what was in the video, but that video was about 10-15 years old we sadly found out and the place is nothing like it anymore. read more

Everything I asked for. Bit pricy, but I felt I got every penny worth, : ) Been here a couple of times, the inn keeper is super friendly, great chef. Love the breakfast. We hangout in the whale room, and enjoys the old school fun, fire place, board games, tea and hot coco. A near by grocery store has very good semi-prepared food. A few good place to dine as well. While u r there, go visit, point arena and the giraffe place, too. read more

We just spent this Memorial Day weekend here. The owners are so pleasant and hospitable. The views are spectacular and the breakfasts are so delicious. My husband and I used this beautiful place to disconnect from from our electronics and reconnect with each other. This has been a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it. We will be back soon! read more

Whale Watch Inn - A small waterfall on the private beach. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Gualala, California

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I've been around the world, and stayed at some incredible places, but the Whale Watch Inn will be high on my list of wonderful memories. The location is idyllic, with views that rival any along the California coast. I felt like an eagle standing on my porch. We saw pelicans (flying below us!), seals, gulls, and TWO whales - CLOSE IN! I have allergy issues, but Miren graciously took them in stride and delivered wonderful breakfasts to our room so we could listen to the surf while we ate. Coffee and tea was available all day. The hospitality was as good as the location - all kindness and consideration from everyone on the staff. This is a soul filling, restful, de stressing, destination. read more