 Fort Bragg is a nature lover’s dream. In addition to a beautiful natural setting and a rich cultural life, Fort Bragg is famous for its beach covered in glass, a historical steam train, a botanical garden fronting the ocean, easy access to giant redwoods and a working fishing harbor. There are enough things to do in this natural wonderland to keep you busy for a weekend visit or extended stay.
Glass Beach is just that, a beach covered in glass, not above your head, but rather below your feet. Sounds uncomfortable, but it’s not. This once dumping ground for community garbage and glass items is now, over 30 years later, a clean beach covered in polished, rounded glass pieces of all colors and sizes. Years of pounding wave action have deposited tons of polished glass onto the beach, offering up a rainbow of colors sparkling in the sun. From trash to treasure, it’s now actually forbidden to collect glass pieces and throw them in the garbage or take them home. In addition to the spectacular sight of all the glass, visitors can explore and learn from the array of tide pools, observe crabs, mollusks and other creatures in their natural habitat.
The historic steam train, eloquently named the Skunk Train, runs for 40 miles, carrying riders from Fort Bragg to Willits. The tracks whisk riders across 30 bridges and through two deep mountain tunnels. Whether one-way or round-trip, passengers can stop for a break at the half-way point in Northspur to enjoy a picnic lunch or simply to stretch their legs. The total travel time one-way is 4 – 4.5 hours depending upon the train schedule. Half day trips are available to Northspur only, there and back to Fort Bragg in approximately 4 hours total.
A 47 acre garden by the sea, the tranquil and abundant Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is located on the oceanside of Hwy. 1. Fronting the ocean with magnificent views and fresh sea air, this unique garden further lends to Fort Bragg’s mysterious charm and one-of-a-kind character. A garden of all seasons due to a mild, maritime climate, this garden by the sea offers formal, manicured gardens, a dense coastal pine forest, fern-covered canyons, diverse plant collections, and flower-filled coastal bluffs, inspiring garden enthusiasts to think outside the box. Located along the Pacific Ocean whale route, whale watchers can take shelter in the Cliff House to witness the winter and spring migrations. With over 150 species of bird, birdwatchers will revel in the wide variety of native bird life in these 47 acres.
An entry point to the famous Giant Redwoods of Northern California, bed and breakfast visitors will stand in awe as they experience the sheer expanse, height and integrity of these natural cathedrals. There are 13 Redwood parks in Mendocino County alone, two of which are close to Fort Bragg. Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park is located in Fort Bragg offering walking trails and numerous redwood growths. Jackson State Redwood Forest is a short drive from Fort Bragg consisting of 50,000 acres of redwood forest recently reclaimed from loggers and now public, protected forest. Extensive trails are available, including paths mapped out by local residents for visitor’s use. An hour or two drive from Fort Bragg bed and breakfast travelers will encounter more parks to explore and get lost in.
Once the famous filming location of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s yacht scene in the movie Overboard, today Noyo Harbor is a working fishing harbor where visitors can grab something to eat at the harbor side restaurant or catch a fishing or whale watching charter into the deep blue. This small but productive harbor is the starting point to your day at sea and is worth even just a stroll down to the water.
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