F.A.Q.

What is Glass Beach?
Glass Beach was the site of the town dump from 1949 until 1967. Now years later, the glass has been ground down into a sparkling display of color. The beach is now part of MacKerricher State Park, and the glass can no longer be collected. The beach is at the West end of Elm Street in Fort Bragg.

Are dogs allowed on the beaches?
See our Dog Friendly section for all your dog-related questions.

Where can I see Old Growth Redwoods?
The nearest old growth Redwoods are along the Avenue of the Giants – approximately two hours north of Fort Bragg. There are still several stands of virgin redwoods in Mendocino County, including Montgomery Woods, Hendy Woods, and Chamberlain Creek.

Where is the Skunk Train and how did it get its name?
From Highway 1, turn West onto Laurel street stoplight. The name came as a result of the switch in 1925 from the steam engine to gas engines, which prompted folks to say, “You can smell ’em before you can see ’em.”

Is it okay to light fires on the beach?
Only on Big River Beach within the fire rings that are provided. Everywhere else is prohibited.

Where can we ride ATV’s or Motorcycles?
Jackson State Forest is the only area that Motorcycles are allowed to ride. There are no areas for riding of ATV; they are off limits completely.

Which route is better (less curves): Hwy 20 vs. Hwy 128?
Both take the same amount of time to get to Cloverdale. Hwy 20 is through the redwoods and takes 1 hour to get to Hwy 101 and is freeway the rest of the way. Hwy 128 takes 2.5 hours to get to Hwy 101 but is a more scenic drive through wine country with some small towns.

Does Fort Bragg have a Fort?
There was a fort here until around 1860. It wasn’t a military fort, but an Indian encampment. There are a few posts around downtown that show the original area of the fort. The small white house next to City Hall (Laurel & Franklin) used to be part of the fort, but now is Congressman Mike Thompson’s coastal office. There is a plaque and some information outside the house.