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.

05-09-2026, 10:00 am - 01:00 pm