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Waves & Whales 5K Trail Run logo

Waves & Whales 5K Trail Run

Sat, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM PDT

Location
Point Arena, CA
451 School Street, 95468
Featured distance
5K
Type
TRAIL

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Run a scenic 5K trail along the Mendocino Coast bluffs and through forests, supporting youth environmental stewardship and coastal conservation.

  • Scenic
  • For a Cause

Experience the Waves & Whales 5K Trail Run-Walk along the stunning Mendocino Coast. This annual event takes you through the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument, winding from a conifer forest to dramatic bluffs overlooking the ocean, and back into the serene pine and cypress woods. Your participation directly supports ACORN Partners in Education’s 'Students Protecting the Coast' program, fostering environmental stewardship and youth engagement in conservation. It's a rejuvenating coastal excursion, offering natural beauty and a meaningful contribution to land preservation for future generations.

What to expect

  • Enjoy a 5K trail run-walk through diverse coastal landscapes, from forests to ocean bluffs.
  • Support environmental stewardship and youth education with your participation.
  • Receive an organic cotton t-shirt and post-race snacks.

Standout details

  • Trail run on California Coastal National Monument
  • Supports Students Protecting the Coast program
  • Organic cotton t-shirt
  • Hand-made award medallions

Perks & features

  • Shirt

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Vibe Check

Steady Effort

Trail + hills

  • Mostly trail

The course

  • Trail
  • Hilly
From the organizer

The annual Waves & Whales 5K Trail Run‐Walk is held on the Mendocino Coast in Point Arena. Taking full advantage of the location, the run takes place on the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument. The course begins behind City Hall in the conifer forest off Highway 1, makes its way to the coast where it follows the bluffs, and then winds back into the pine and cypress forest.

Proceeds from the Waves & Whales Trail Run support ACORN Partners in Education’s environmental stewardship program, Students Protecting the Coast, which engages youth in hands‐on learning with a focus on conservation and community outreach. Students Protecting the Coast began during the 2012‐13 school year as part of the local and national campaign to include the Point Arena‐Stornetta Lands in the California Coastal National Monument. Students continue to learn about our coastal landscape and are empowered to use their voice by sharing what they’ve learned with the community.

ACORN is committed to hosting a sustainable event that honors the natural landscape and educates the larger community. The Waves & Whales Trail Run promises to be a worthwhile coastal excursion—runners can expect a rejuvenating run surrounded by natural beauty and the knowledge that they are supporting the continued stewardship of this land by, and for, the next generation.

Hikers welcome. Participants receive organic cotton t‐shirt and snacks. (Register early to ensure a t-shirt in your size.) Age categories and awards. (Hand-made award medallions from Point Arena Tileworks.)

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