Glass Beach
Glass Beach sits adjacent to Fort Bragg in California. Known for its abundance of sea glass, the city used this area as a dumpsite for glass bottles, jars, and other debris from 1906 to 1967. Little did they know it would become something so beautiful. Over time, the changing tides smoothed and polished the glass, creating a unique sight to behold.
In 1967, the State ordered the dump closed and the area was cleaned up. The glass is now considered a natural resource protected by the state of California as a part of MacKerricher State Park. While it may be illegal to collect any glass, it still makes for a popular tourist destination. Visitors can walk along the beach, admiring the colorful pieces scattered up and down the shoreline, ranging from white, green, and brown to amber, blue, and even pink.
Here are some quick tips if you’re planning a visit to Glass Beach:
- The beach is open from sunrise to sunset, but arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- During low tide, there is more exposed beach and tide pools will be full of sea creatures.
- Wear shoes you don’t mind getting sandy.
- Bring a camera to capture the remarkable beauty of this unusual beach.
- Pack a picnic lunch and stay a while; but be respectful of the environment and leave no trace.
If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience, Glass Beach is definitely worth a visit. It’s the perfect place for kids who enjoy scouring the beach for hard-to-find colors and exploring the numerous tide pools. And adults will undoubtedly enjoy this zen-like atmosphere—vibrant colors glistening under the sun and waves crashing against the shore.
For all visitors, Glass Beach is a poetic reminder of the power of nature to transform even the most polluted areas.
Glass Beach
