From the early 1900s until the late 1960s, people in Fort Bragg tipped household rubbish, bottles and even old cars over the bluffs here. When the dumping stopped, cleanups removed what they could, and the Pacific went to work on the rest. Waves ground the broken glass into smooth, frosted pebbles of green, brown, white and the occasional red.
Glass Beach is now part of MacKerricher State Park. Decades of collecting have thinned the glass, and it no longer looks like the saturated photos online. Up close, though, the gravel still glitters, especially on a wet, falling tide.
What to see at Glass Beach
Look for glass in the coves
A short path leads from the end of Elm Street to the coves. Look closely at the pebbles at the waterline rather than scanning for big pieces. Please do not take any glass. It is protected in the state park, and every pocketful leaves less for the next visitor.
Walk the bluff top
The Coastal Trail runs along the top of the cliffs, with views of arches and sea stacks. It is the safer option when the surf is up.
See the glass in a museum
A small privately run sea glass museum south of town displays collected pieces. Check that it is open before you go.
Getting to Glass Beach
- On foot: about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Fort Bragg.
- By car: follow Elm Street west from Highway 1 to the small parking area at the end.
- Access: the path to the coves is uneven and rocky, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The bluff trail above is paved.
Tips before you go
- Check a tide table and aim for low tide, ideally falling.
- Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves can reach far up these coves without warning.
- Wear shoes with grip. Rocks are slick and some glass may still be sharp.
- Bring a jacket: wind and fog are normal even in summer.
Tours to pair with Glass Beach
GetYourGuide has few products here. These pair well with a visit to Glass Beach:
Heritage train from $50 Mendocino County: Skunk Train Pudding Creek Train Ride
The easy classic: a short heritage train ride from downtown Fort Bragg along the Pudding Creek estuary and into the redwoods to Glen Blair Junction and back. The right choice with children or limited time.
- About 7 miles round trip along Pudding Creek
- Departs the depot in downtown Fort Bragg
- Listing includes the model railroad museum
Railbike tour from $265 per group Mendocino County: Pudding Creek Railbikes
Ride a small railbike up the old logging line along Pudding Creek, with a long stop among the redwoods at Glen Blair Junction. The price is per bike for up to two. Some reviewers find the riding time short for the price, so go for the setting.
- Pedal the rails through redwood forest
- Crosses wooden trestle bridges
- Layover of about 50 minutes at Glen Blair Junction
