The evidence of Fort Bragg being a lumber town is still evident with the Pudding Creek Trestle still standing, the glass and garbage found at Glass Beach, and the Skunk Train ride experience. But all three of these now serve for different purposes. Lumber is no longer transported and now folks like us who enjoy hiking, looking for glass during low tides, and taking train rides, come to Fort Bragg because it is a perfect coastal vacation destination and being surrounded by beautiful nature really helps. We came at a perfect time because gray whales are migrating right now and they were visible from our room.
MacKerricher State Park
The boardwalk is very convenient at MacKerricher State Park which takes you to Laguna Point. Here you can watch for whales or seals. You can get off of the boardwalk at various places and if it is low tides you might get lucky and see a variety of different starfishes. We spent a few hours exploring the tide pools. There are picnic tables here and a lot more to see and do but we had so much fun exploring the tide pools that we did not have time for anything else.
Located at 24100 Mackerricher Park Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
The Beachcomber Motel
It would be very difficult to imagine a better location to stay in at Fort Bragg. First of all, The Beachcomber Motel is right next to Pudding Creek Trestle so you get a view of the trestle from every room. Second of all, the paved path to MacKerricher State Park is right next to the hotel so you can easily walk, run, or cycle to the park, glass beach, or anywhere else in Fort Bragg. You also get a beautiful view of the beach and the ocean right from your room. Today glamping is very popular and lots of state and national park sites are starting to offer cabins and yurts but this here sure beats any glamping because as soon as you cross the walkway you will be standing on the state property and will be able to enjoy all the trails Fort Bragg has to offer. Also, the rooms definitely beat the comfortablilty of any yurt or cabin and makes it a perfect getaway for anyone who loves the outdoors but hates camping. Here breaskfast is compilmantary and they have bikes which you can rent out by the hour.
Located at 1111 N. Main St. Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
Haul Road & Pudding Creek Trustle
This wooden bridge is so beautiful. It is probably one of our favorite foot bridges that we have ever walked across. It is 527 feet long 44 feet high. It once was part of the Ten Mile Railroad in 1915 and was built so that lumber could be brought to nearby towns. Today you can walk on it and it is such a great idea to have a trail that connects downtown Fort Bragg to MacKerricher State Park. This trail gives you unlimited opportunity to explore this part of the Mendocino Coast. This definitely makes lots of coastal cities very jealous of Fort Bragg.
The Haul Road Coastal Trail is a 6.1 mile trail and it one easy trail that takes you to Glass Beach, Pudding Creek Trestle, and MacKerricher.
Skunk Train & Model Railroad
The skunk train was used to transport redwood logs to the coast.
This is probably the most famous attraction in Fort Bragg. After all, National Geographic’s wrote about it. And this is not a tourist trap because it takes you through some beautiful parts of Mendocino Coast. You can say that it takes you from the coast to the redwoods along beautiful creeks and wetlands. We especially enjoyed the open cart because you can stand and enjoy the surroundings with every turn the train takes. You will get a great view of the locomotive which will be pulling you uphill. We enjoyed the Pudding Creek Express which was an one hour round trip. This seven mile round trip lets you see the Pudding Creek Estuary. This isn’t something you can drive up to and see so you’ll want to experience the Skunk Ride is you want to see it. You can take your dog with you on this train ride as well. Fort Bragg is very pet friendly.
Once you get off you will not want to miss the Model Railroad. Our Eve loved the model.
Located at Foot of Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
Glass Beach & Glass Beach Jewelry & Museum
We never knew that a trash dumpsite can be so interesting to explore. To be honest with you in the past when I’d hear about Glass Beach in Fort Bragg I assumed that there was some kind of shipwreck. But when we got to Fort Bragg and went to the Glass Beach Museum (before heading out to Glass Beach) we were surprised to learn that this was the site where the city dumped their trash for many years.
When we got out to the beach during low tides (you want to come during low tide) we got to see more than what most people get to see because we were able to walk out onto the rocks and see infused trash that had become one with the rocks. We saw wheels, spark plugs, nails, a dinner knife, and many more things. Most of the things were metal. We believe that it was too heavy for the waves to carry away and as it rusted, the trash that was metal became one with the rocks. Most of the rocks and ceramics got broken down as the waves smashed against the rocks. The small pieces therefore got shaped by the waves and rocks which now makes up the famous glass beach that we enjoy today. Finding different shades of green, blues, browns, and whites was so fun.
This is a great example of the theory that “one mans trash becomes another mans treasure.” At the museum you can buy beautiful jewelry made out of the glass found at Glass Beach.
It makes us wonder if todays landfills will become archaeologist sites in the near future.
Thank you The Beachcomber Motel and Skunk Train for hosting our stay.
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Joanna
Fort Bragg looks wonderful for a family weekend away. The views are so beautiful and it’s great that there are so many beautiful places to spend some time in nature, like hiking or going to the beach.
Amy-Lynn Vautour
Wow… what a place to explore! I love that your family always seems to have fun no matter what the weather and even if you visit places that some other people may not find all that interesting. I also love the visual effects you add to your photos – like everything is glowing with magic and wonder.
Stephanie
I’ve never been to that area, but now I really want to go! This looks like a great place to visit and your pictures are great!!
Rose
Ooh this place looks beautiful. You can’t better then a hotel next to a trail! I love that wooden walkway and the rocks are really neat. I would love to explore the whole landscape.
Alison Rost
It sounds like the best place to go to for families or people who would like to spend a relaxing weekend away from the city. It’s beautiful out there and you’ll have the best time even when you’re just walking around.
Esme Sy
I’ve never seen a place where I feel like I want to stay forever until I saw these lovely pictures. You’ve described your experience and the place so well, I feel like I’ve rode that train for years now! The sky, the trees, the clean roads…this is the perfect “fort” for me.
Rachel
What attention to detail to a place that brought you and your family so much joy and for others who might want to experience it too! I especially love that photo of your daughter looking down at the glass beach, the photo of the sky behind her is so lovely!
Holly Lasha
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Daisy
This looks like such a cute and fun place to visit! I love all your fun photographs!
Sue Tanya Mchorgh
Fort Bragg is now on my list and i have you to thank for that. I imagine that i would never want to leave here if i ever get to visit. Thanks for sharing this.
Emily Fata, www.EmulatingEmily.com
I love all of your pictures from Fort Bragg Park! It looks like such a great place to spend the day with family, and an amazing spot to capture some gorgeous photography!
Ana Ojha
Fort Bragg looks absolutely amazing for a family getaway. The Beachcomber Motel looks like a nice stay and your pictures speak for itself how amazing was your trip with family!
Nailil
I’ve heard of Ft. Bragg many times but haven’t visited. It looks like a nice and quiet town.
Nailil
Preet
It sounds like a great place to go to for families or people who would like to spend a relaxing weekend away from the city. It’s beautiful and the location is so scenic. Your pictures look like they are from a movie, so perfect background and you all.
Elizabeth O
It looks like you had another wonderful family trip out. Fort Bragg looks full of adventure and your photographs are great!
Glenda
Fort Bragg looks like a great place to visit. Your beautiful family looks like they had a great time. Such awesome pictures.
Ayana
These photos are so beautiful and it looks like such a fun trip! I would totally go there if I got the chance!
Candice
Oh wow what a lovely place. That little museum looks awesome!
Khushboo
I have never heard of Fort Bragg before but it truly looks like a wonderful place for a family vacation. Love the gorgeous photographs, too 🙂
Whitney Roberts Kutch
Your family is beautiful!!! It looks like everyone had a great time and it makes me want to go there soon! Thank you for sharing!!
David Allen Elliott
I have stayed at that hotel in Fort Bragg. Was talking to someone about my stay there just recently. It was a fun trip. Love all the beautiful photos.
Tiffany Yong
Awww… that kissing photo is so sweet! I love the photos of your kids looking out from the train. This place is gorgeous!
jossy
You have such a beautiful family and those shots are such breath-taking beautiful.
Cia Black
Good ol Fort Bragg, I have been there many times but have not taken the train ride. This is going to have to change.
Amanda
The rooms look beautiful. I love that you can see whales. The dump site sounds really interesting. Very educational for the entire family.
Ray Ruzzo
It looks like you had an amazing time. I love grey and misty days.
Taslyn Russell
This looks like a nice family getaway! Never heard of Fort Bragg but it looks like a nice family destination