Fort Bragg’s newest park is situated atop the bluffs overlooking Fort Bragg’s dramatic, rocky Pacific shore. Its northern section was opened in 2015, extending the Pacific Coast Trail from Pudding Creek at the northern end of town down to Otsuchi Point. It includes a stairway down the bluffs to Glass Beach. In 2016, the southern section of the park was opened. It comprises … [Read more...]
Fort Bragg
10 miles north of Mendocino, Fort Bragg is the largest city on the Mendocino Coast. Noyo Harbor, on the south end of town, is a working port with a commercial fishing fleet, charter boats, fish markets and processing plants, as well as several seafood restaurants. The harbor is also a haven for local seals and sea lions.
#36 – Abalone Diving in Coastal Waters
Because it’s where the largest number of abalone are found, and because of regulations designed to protect the small populations that live elsewhere, most of California’s abalone-diving is concentrated on the coast of Mendocino County. For decades hordes of recreational divers have descended there beginning in April every year, lured by the legendary red abalone. Traditionally, … [Read more...]
#37 – Historic Skunk Train, Fort Bragg Depot
If you don’t happen to have a time machine, the next best thing would probably be a trip on Mendocino County’s famous Skunk Train. From the restored historic rail cars to the dramatic views of majestic redwood forests, scenic upland meadows, and the pristine mountain waters of Northern California, what you will experience is largely unchanged from the way things were in the … [Read more...]
#38 – Mendocino Chocolate Company
The Mendocino Chocolate Company has been making delectable chocolates and other treats for almost 30 years. Stop by their Fort Bragg store, or their newer store in the Village of Mendocino, and you will see for yourself why the Mendocino Chocolate Company views candymaking as an art form. Their delightful handmade confections are as pleasing to the eye as they are delicious. … [Read more...]
#39 – Gloriana Musical Theater
Since 1976, Gloriana Musical Theatre has entertained Mendocino County audiences with blockbuster Broadway musicals, musicals starring young performers, and one of a kind special productions. Audiences were amazed by the vocal and acting ability of the Gloriana Young Performer’s 2014 spring production of “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,” set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City and … [Read more...]
#40 – Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Lose yourself for an hour—or all day—at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, one of a handful of public gardens that front an ocean shore. The number one Mendocino Coast attraction on TripAdvisor, our 47 acres encompass manicured gardens, fern-ringed ponds, hidden pocket gardens, coastal pine forests, and wildflower-strewn bluffs at ocean’s edge. Enjoy a picnic on a lush meadow … [Read more...]
#41 – Pacific Star Winery
At Pacific Star Winery you can experience stunning views of the ocean while enjoying traditional or unusual Mendocino County wines. The building actually sits atop an active fault line called the “Pacific Star Fault,” named in honor of the winery upon its discovery in 2006. Running directly under the winery, it connects to the San Andreas fault system 12 miles out to sea toward … [Read more...]
#42 – Fort Bragg’s Family-Friendly City Parks
Pomo Bluffs Park offers spectacular views from the southern bluffs above Noyo Harbor. This 25-acre park offers outlook points and benches, coastal pedestrian and bike trails, and interpretive exhibits. From Hwy 1 take Ocean View Drive to Cliff Way to get there. Open dawn to dusk. Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park is located at the east end of Laurel St., southeast of Fort … [Read more...]
#43 – MacKerricher State Park
MacKerricher State Park offers miles of magnificent rocky coastline, beaches, dunes, bluffs and headlands that give way to forests, seasonal streams, grasslands, and a lake. Some of California’s richest tidepools form during low tide along the shore near Laguna Point, where offshore rocks attract black oystercatchers and provide a rookery for harbor seals. The park … [Read more...]
#44 – Horseback Riding at Ricochet Ridge Ranch
Ride along deserted beaches and through ancient redwood forests on the back of a fit, well trained horse. Lari Shea’s Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers both group and private trail rides along Ten Mile Beach, across vast cattle and horse ranches overlooking the ocean and through majestic Redwood forests. California’s unique climate offers unmatched riding days year-round. Horses … [Read more...]
#45 – Old Haul Road (Ten Mile Trail)
Starting at the Pudding Creek Trestle, the Ten Mile Coastal Trail, part of the vast California Coastal Trail system, is located on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast in MacKerricher State Park. The Beachcomber Motel front desk staff provides visiting walkers with the Ten Mile Coastal Trail log book to sign their names and join the ranks of the hundreds of people who have … [Read more...]
#46 – World Famous Triangle Tattoo & Museum
While wandering around the sleepy North Coast town of Fort Bragg, consider a permanent souvenir from the stellar artists at Triangle Tattoo & Museum on Main Street, where the big red heart TATTOO sign hangs over the sidewalk. Climb up the bright red stairway where you will feel enveloped by the spirit, history and excitement of Tattoo. They were founded in 1986 and are … [Read more...]
#47 – Guest House Museum
Resting atop a small knoll in Fort Bragg on the west side of Main Street lies an ancient storehouse of history, a three-story Victorian mansion known as the Guest House Museum. Built primarily of coast redwood, the building has served numerous functions over the years. Its first role upon completion was as the Fort Bragg Lumber Company’s guest house for out of town company … [Read more...]
#48 – Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf & Fun Center
Wow, what a blast! At the Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf and Fun Center, all 18 challenging holes are located in and around gorgeous streams, fountains and waterfalls, and are designed to be tons of fun for all ages and experience levels. Also, the first 9 holes are handicapped-accessible. To top it off, Emerald Dolphin Inn guests receive their first round free (although some … [Read more...]
#49 – C.V. Starr Community Center Pool & More
Much more than a swimming pool, fitness center, community center and outdoor activity area combined, the C.V. Starr Community Center offers people of all ages a wealth of wonderful, exciting things to do and magnificent facilities to do them in. The physical infrastructure is a 4-acre campus that hosts an off-leash dog park, a 10,000 square foot skate park, sun deck, BBQ and … [Read more...]
#50 – Glass Beach Treasures
At first glance you may think this beach is covered with glass that has gathered there for eons. Not so. For centuries it was a common practice of people who lived in seaside cities to dump their trash into the ocean, and from the turn of the century through 1967 it was true of people in Fort Bragg as well. In 1967 the practice came to a halt, however, and the coastal dumps … [Read more...]
#51 – Jackson Demonstration State Forest
Sitting in the spray of a very pretty waterfall on Chamberlain Creek Trail, or staring out at the uninterrupted view from the top of Riley Ridge after a long hike through old redwood forests on the remote Volcano Point Trail, it’s easy to forget the bustling history of the land in Jackson State Forest. A booming industrial logging center from 1862 until 1947, the land now … [Read more...]
#52 – Bird Watching with the Audubon Society
There are hundreds of coastal birds that frequent Mendocino County, and the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society invites you to see them for yourself. Join the MCAS for endlessly fascinating walks and field trips at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, MacKerricher State Park, Van Damme State Park, Virgin Creek and elsewhere. The walks at the Botanical Gardens are regularly … [Read more...]
#53 – Surfing the Mendocino Coast
Whether you are an experienced surfer or a beginner, you will find waves to suit you on the Mendocino coast. Many of the area’s more experienced surfers will be found at Point Arena Pier (35 miles south of Mendocino Village) and Virgin Beach, which is just north of Fort Bragg. Look for “overhead” and “double overhead” (literally higher than your head, or twice as high as your … [Read more...]