Sign of the Whale
Historic Point Arena neighborhood bar — an old-timey wooden bar with more local spirits than any in Mendocino County.
- Mon 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Tue 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Wed 2:00 – 10:00 PM · Today
- Thu 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Fri 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Sat 2:00 – 10:00 PM
- Sun 3:00 – 9:00 PM
Along Highway 1
Leg times are driving estimates along Highway 1.
South to north along Highway 1: Stewarts Point Store, then ~5 min to Sea Ranch Lodge, then ~15 min to Gualala Downtown, then ~25 min to Point Arena Downtown. Sign of the Whale is the venue on this page.
Nearby
Within a short walk
Arena Market & Café · B Bryan Preserve · Franny's Cup & Saucer · Izakaya Gama · Little Green Bean Roastery · The Record
A short drive
- Cove Coffee 1.0 mi NW
- Point Arena Pizza 1.0 mi NW
- Pier Place 1.0 mi NW
- Pelican Bluffs Trail 1.1 mi SE
Bar
The Sign of the Whale is Point Arena's historic Main Street bar — a small-town neighborhood watering hole with old-timey, 1800s character and a beautiful old wooden bar. It occupies the ground floor of the Point Arena Hotel building and has long been a local favorite: an unpretentious, welcoming room where regulars and out-of-towners drink side by side.
Its calling card is the spirits selection — reportedly more local spirits than any other bar in Mendocino County — poured alongside beer, wine, and craft cocktails. It's a bar first and foremost: come for the drinks, the pool tables, and the small-town atmosphere, not for a dining-out night.
- Games: a couple of pool tables and liars dice — this is a hang-out bar, not a see-and-be-seen one
- Live music on select nights — local bands and artists; check ahead for the schedule
- Outdoor seating for a drink in the coastal air
What to Order
- Beer, wine, and craft cocktails, with an unusually deep bench of local spirits — a good stop for tasting Mendocino/North Coast distillery products
- Signature pours: the Whale's Tail and the Sea Breeze; regulars praise the martinis and Bloody Marys
- Food: the bar itself is drinks-focused; a separate restaurant, Area51, operates in the rear of the building if you want a bite
Before You Go
- No cover, no dress code — it's a come-as-you-are local bar
- Hours: open daily, roughly 2–10 PM (Sunday from 3 PM); hours can vary seasonally, so call ahead if you're timing a special trip
- Cash-friendly small bar — call (707) 882-2259 to confirm anything
- Location: 194 Main Street, in the heart of tiny downtown Point Arena
- Nearby: anchors Point Arena's short Main Street, walkable to the Record (another historic music-friendly bar) and local eateries
What visitors say
- A genuine local favorite — visitors consistently describe a friendly, welcoming small-town bar where everyone fits in
- Great bartending — staff (bartender Casey gets named repeatedly) draw praise for the cocktails and the warm vibe
- Historic character — the old wooden bar and 1800s ambiance are a recurring highlight