Find Nature and Serenity in Fort Bragg
If you have never been to Fort Bragg, California, this tiny town on the north coast should be on your list of places to visit. It will surely provide a weekend full of nature and serenity.
While it is probably best known for Glass Beach, there are many other sights to see in this enclave off of California Highway 1, so we have rounded up a few other places to stop as well.
Glass Beach
Glass Beach is located at West Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive. It is within MacKerricher State Park. Its name comes from the colorful pieces of glass that can be found mixed in among the pebbles on the beach.
At one time, the area was a literal trash dump. The glass comes from broken bottles that had been discarded by local residents. Due to the pounding of the surf, they were transformed into tiny, smooth treasures. Although it is against the law to remove any glass from the beach, visitors have nonetheless taken enough home as souvenirs to deplete the beach of much of the glass after which it was named. While there is still plenty of glass to be found on the beach, there is nowhere near the amount there once was.
Glass Beach is a fun place to take kids to search for (but not collect) the colored glass. Because the water on the north coast can be dangerous, always keep a close eye on them near the shore.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below describes a visit to Glass Beach.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
While peak season is waning, the Dahlia Garden is in bloom through October, and it is one of the favorite locations at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Dahlias were some of the first flowers that the founder of the Garden planted. The collection includes more than 150 varieties of dahlias.
The Botanical Gardens are currently open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and advanced tickets are necessary for non-members and for guests of members. It is located at 18220 California Highway 1 in Fort Bragg. Don’t miss their Fall Plant Sale, which runs from Friday, October 22nd through Sunday, October 31st, during their normal business hours.
MacKerricher State Park
This park, which includes a variety of environments, including forests, wetlands, beaches, and bluffs, is just north of Fort Bragg. It is a beautiful space to birdwatch or to scan the water for marine life.
Fort Bragg Coastal Trail
Part of the California Coast Trail, the Noyo Headlands portion is located in Fort Bragg. It is a five-mile segment and is one of the newer areas of the trail – it is paved, wide, and accessible for all visitors who want to enjoy the expansive views. Ultimately, the plan is that the California Coast Trail will span the state’s entire coastline, from Oregon in the north to Mexico in the south.
Historic Downtown Fort Bragg
Downtown Fort Bragg has much to offer. Take a couple of hours to complete a self-guided mural tour to visit the colorful and meaningful wall art throughout the town. Art lovers will also find a number of galleries in the downtown area.
Shoppers will find a wide variety of unique goods, including clothing, jewelry, ceramics, souvenirs, and gifts.
Getting to Fort Bragg, California
The drive to Fort Bragg from the Sacramento region is around three and a half hours. It takes a little longer to cut over and drive the coastal route on historic California Highway 1, but the views are definitely worth the extended road trip.
Fort Bragg Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for visiting our legal blog. I’m Ed Smith, a Fort Bragg personal injury lawyer. If you have been injured in a car accident and are seeking free and friendly advice, call our law firm at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900. Our injury lawyers have been helping injured Northern Californians for nearly four decades.
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Photo by auttykirk0 on Pixabay
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