E XPLORING
Fort Bragg
ROY DUFRAIN JR.
Fort Bragg is a small town perched on the edge of the
continent with a rich history in fishing and logging.
In recent years it has become a full-fledged and affordable
tourist destination. Established as a military outpost in
the 1850’s, the fort for which it is named is long gone, but
many other interesting and exciting attractions have taken
its place.
The historic downtown shops and galleries feature
unusual local products and easy nearby parking. There’s
lodging for every preference, including luxurious turn-of-the-century B&B’s, beachfront hotels, economical motels,
and numerous public and private campgrounds. You’ll also
find wonderful places to dine, including an award-winning brewpub, family-friendly cafes, and romantic gourmet
restaurants.
Glass Beach, a short walk from downtown, is one of the
world’s unique beaches. The “sand” is glass – glass that is
colorful and rounded by the sea. The sparkling residue of
an old dump site, it trickles through your fingers like jewels.
Red starfish, green anemones, and purple sea urchins can be
seen in the tide pools at Glass Beach, and striking harlequin
ducks are sometimes visible in the water or on nearby rocks.
The famous Skunk Train leaves Fort Bragg following
the old coastal “Redwood Route,” as it has since 1885. It
meanders through towering redwood forests, crossing over
some 30 bridges and trestles, and passing through two deep
mountain tunnels before completing the day trip back to
the historic 1927 depot.
Nature lovers especially gravitate to Fort Bragg. They
come for world-class abalone diving, deep-sea salmon fishing, and bird watching by boat. Some walk or ride bikes
and horses along pristine sandy beaches and others rent
kayaks and paddle along the shores or on Noyo River.
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens features 47
acres of manicured formal gardens, dense coastal pine for-
est, fern covered canyons, and flower-filled coastal bluffs
overlooking the Pacific.
Performing arts thrive in Fort Bragg. Enjoy free coffee-
house concerts, the Symphony of the Redwoods, Glorianna
Opera, or one of the special productions put on by mem-
bers of the community.
Fort Bragg also hosts lively community festivities that
welcome tourists and locals alike, including the World’s
Largest Salmon Barbecue, Art in the Gardens, a Candlelight
Inn Tour, Winesong! and festivals celebrating Rhododendrons, Mushrooms, and Whales.
