California Crab Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Festival

Mendocino County — celebrated for its wines and agricultural bounty — welcomes crab season with the 15th Annual Crab, Wine & Beer Festival. Highlighting fresh Pacific seafood and regional gourmet fare, the festival centers on local Dungeness crab and features events such as the Crab Cake Cook-Off and a Wine Tasting Competition. From Jan. 17–26, the program includes crab dinners paired with wines, art exhibitions, live music, whale-watching cruises, guided canoe trips on the Big River, cycling through stands of Redwoods, and offshore crabbing excursions.

Festival offerings also include Barrel Tasting 101 with complimentary tastes drawn straight from the barrel, special dinners hosted by vintners from Husch Vineyards and Roederer Estate, and excursions on the historic Skunk Train, named by early residents along the rail line. The train will run two excursions from Fort Bragg, stopping at vineyards along the way and serving a Crab Louie Salad meal at Camp Mendocino.

Visitors can stay at one of the region’s charming inns taking part in the celebration. Options include Brewery Gulch Inn (rates $245–$445/night), Cleone Gardens Inn (around $255/night), the Country Inn (non-fireplace rooms approximately $446/night), and Agate Cove Inn (rates $189–$349). Each property offers a base for exploring festival events, local tasting rooms, and the coastal scenery that defines Mendocino County.

The festival blends culinary celebration with outdoor recreation and cultural experiences. Attendees can sample a range of crab preparations alongside regional wines and craft beers, learn about winemaking and seafood pairing techniques, and enjoy outings that showcase the county’s natural beauty—from marine wildlife viewings to inland forest rides. The variety of scheduled activities makes the event appealing to food lovers, wine enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and families alike.

Whether you come for a single dinner and tasting or a multi-day itinerary with lodge accommodations and boat trips, the Crab, Wine & Beer Festival is designed to showcase Mendocino’s coastal flavors and hospitality. Advance reservations are recommended for popular dinners, train excursions, and lodging to ensure availability during the festival period.