1. Stroll through beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are a 47-acre botanical garden facility located in Fort Bragg near California Highway One. The gardens were originally founded by Betty and Ernest Schoefer in 1961 and maintained as a private property until 1982, when 12 acres were donated to the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District.
The remaining 35 acres of the facility were acquired in 1991, developed under a master plan according to the California Coastal Conservancy. Today, it is home to significant collections of native and exotic coastal Mediterranean plants, including camellias, fuschias, magnolias, begonias, rhododendrons, and maple and conifer trees.
Canyon, wetland, forest, and coastal bluff areas are preserved within the gardens, along with a historic 19th-century home, cemetery, and orchard facility. Public special events at the gardens include an annual Art in the Gardens festival in August and a holiday Festival of Lights.
Address: 18220 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-964-4352
2. Take in fantastic views from Fort Bragg Coastal Trail
Fort Bragg Coastal Trail is a 4.5-mile-long paved trail that was constructed by the City of Fort Bragg as part of the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail and Restoration Project.
The first phase of the trail, which was opened to the public in January of 2015, meanders through 82 acres of the city's former Georgia-Pacific Mill site and other industrial lands, stretching along more than a mile of coastal bluff drainage area that has recently been restored to its natural state.
14 interpretive signs detail facts about the region's natural and economic history, and two welcome plazas welcome trail users at the trail's Glass Beach trailhead. In addition, more than a dozen benches are offered throughout the trail, designed by local artists. A second phase of the trail, expected to be constructed in 2018, will add an additional mile to the trail, featuring more interpretive panels and access stairs to the Fort Bragg Landing beach.
Address: 416 N. Franklin St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-961-2823
3. Visit Glass Beach in MacKerricher State Park
MacKerricher State Park is a California State Park that is located near the city of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County.
In 1949, the park was established following the sale of rancher lands to the State of California. Today, it spans along nine miles of coastline, encompassing areas of wetland, forest, headland, dune, and beach habitats. On the park's northern end, Inglenook Fen Ten Mile Dunes Preserve protects a sensitive dune ecosystem, while the Ten Mile River marks the park's northernmost boundary. At its southern end, the park is home to the famed Glass Beach, which is known for its sand-polished glass fields created from garbage deposits in the mid-20th century.
Fishing is offered at the 30-acre Lake Clone, a manmade reservoir created by the damming of a former brackish marsh. Other popular outdoor activities include hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with facilities available for overnight camping. Ranger-led programming includes excursions for coastal whale watching.
Address: 24100 Mackerricher Park Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-937-5804
- Our favorite places to stay in the area:
- The Beach House Inn overlooks the Pudding Creek Estuary.
- Harbor Lite Lodge offers beautiful views as well.
Attractions for Couples
4. Go horseback riding at Ricochet Ridge Ranch
Ricochet Ridge Ranch is a horseback touring company that was originally opened to the public in the 1980s by legendary horsewoman Lari Shea.
Since 2015, it has been owned and operated by competitive rider Judy Langevin and her husband Jake. The company offers group and custom trail rides, riding tours, and riding vacations for small groups and individuals, exploring the beautiful natural wonders of Northern California's coastline and redwood region. It prioritizes ecotourism principles, striving to embark on environmentally-responsible excursions that minimize natural impact and empower the local North Coast community.
Private and group rides are available for riders ages six and older, with horses available to meet every rider ability level.
Address: 24201 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-964-7669
5. See the displays at International Sea Glass Museum
International Sea Glass Museum was founded in 2009 by Cass Forrington as an effort to preserve and collect the region's recovered sea glass.
Following the 1906 California earthquake, the town of Fort Bragg began dumping civic waste into the Pacific Ocean. Today, the city is home to the highest concentration of shoreline sea glass in the world, which often washes ashore as tiny pieces of broken and eroded glass. A large collection of pieces recovered by Forrington are showcased at the three-room museum, including rare and odd pieces.
Displays are organized by color, explaining the common uses and reasons for coloring, including the creation of lavender glass as a result of the oxidation of magnesium-clarified white glass by the sun. Other recovered items such as marbles, bottle stoppers, and terracottas are also showcased in exhibits.
Address: 17801 CA-1, Fort Bragg, California, 95437, Phone: 707-357-1585
6. Go wine tasting at Pacific Star Winery
Pacific Star Winery is the only oceanside winery in California, located approximately 12 miles north of the city of Fort Bragg along Coast Highway 1.
The winery was originally established in 1988 and was fully developed from an open oceanfront field along the northern Mendocino coastline. Today, it sources grapes from nearby Lake and Mendocino Counties to produce a wide variety of classic wines, including petite sirah, chardonnay, moscato, zinfandel, charbono, carignane, and barbera. Unique blends sold by the company include Dad's Daily Red, Charbera, and It's My Fault.
All wines may be tasted at the company's tasting room, which is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the afternoon hours.
Address: 33000 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-964-1155
Recommended Activities for Families
7. Go whale watching in Pomo Bluffs Park
Pomo Bluffs Park is a Fort Bragg city park that is located along a rocky bluff near the Noyo River.
The park is also known by the names Chicken Point and Todd Point and is visible from Noyo Harbor Beach. It serves as a popular gray whale watching spot between February and April during the species' migration season to northern waters. Hiking and biking are offered along a paved path at the bluff's edge, with additional dirt trails branching off toward wild surf points. Free parking is offered at the site, which also offers public restroom facilities, benches, and a number of interpretive signs detailing the region's natural and cultural history.
Dogs are permitted on leashes at the park, though visitors should exercise caution with pets along the steep cliffs.
Address: Cliff Way, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
8. Visit Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society
Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society is a living history museum and model railroad museum located behind Fort Bragg's historic Skunk Train Depot.
The museum is open to the public seven days a week during the morning and afternoon hours and is free to enter with tickets to ride the Skunk Train. More than 1,300 feet of model railroad track are showcased, equal to more than six miles stretched end to end. The track recreates traditional logging railroads along the Mendocino Coast during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, showcasing recreated model mills, logging camps, piers, and other town structures.
Address: 100 W Laurel St, Behind the Skunk Train Building, Fort Bragg, CA 95437-3410
9. Enjoy a tour with Liquid Fusion Kayaking
Liquid Fusion Kayaking is a kayaking tour company that is operated by business partners Jeff Laxier and Cate Hawthorne, offering interactive, educational tours for participants of all ages. Tours allow participants to explore the Noyo River Estuary and the Mendocino Coast in small groups, with expert tour guides elaborating on the region's natural history and wildlife.
Tours include the mild Noyo Meander excursion, the tranquil Sunset Bird Paddle, and the more intense three-hour Whitewater of the Sea excursion. Whitewater, Rock Garden, and Surf Kayak Tours and Safaris are offered for experienced paddlers, combining sea, rock garden, and whitewater adventures. Kayaking classes are also available for novice paddlers, including children's courses for K-12 students.
Address: 32399 Basin St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-962-1623
10. Learn about local history at Guest House Museum
Guest House Museum preserves a historic local mansion originally constructed in 1892 by Fort Bragg Redwood Company business partner Tom Johnson.
The mansion was primarily constructed from locally-sourced coastal redwood and was used as senior official offices and a VIP guest facility for the company prior to its completion. It remained in the possession of the company through several business sales and name changes until it was eventually donated to the City of Fort Bragg by the Georgia-Pacific Company in 1985. Today, it is operated as a living history museum overseen by the Fort Bragg-Mendocino Coast Historical Society, showcasing a wide variety of historic railroad and civic history artifacts inside its rooms.
Address: 343 N Main St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, Phone: 707-964-4251
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