Glass Beach

Glass Beach is not a typical seashore where you sunbathe on the golden fine sands. This seashore is mostly visited after the storm because then is when its famous sea glass is best spotted. The souvenirs smoothed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean are of great value now and considering that decades ago they were part of the household garbage coming from Fort Bragg, these colorful frosted shards are a unique and not so common attraction.

Dumps turned to Jewels

Glass Beach is part of the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and is located in an area known for being inhabited by Native American Indians, mainly the Pomo tribe. Near the city Fort Bragg, in Mendocino county, California, the rugged Northern Californian coastline has been in close proximity to what was known as ''the Dumps'' during the early 20th century. The dump associating was nothing metaphoric since the residents of Fort Bragg used to actually throw their household garbage over the cliffs above the present Glass Beach. In 1967, the area was closed for a cleanup meant to correct the damage.

Shades of Glass

The Glass Beach with the precious sea glass was formed over the next decades after the cleanup. Other coastlines exhibiting the now wanted colored glass are found in the North East of the United States, California, North West England, Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia, Australia, Italy or in the South of Spain. The souvenirs smoothed by water and sand are usually found in different colors depending on their original source. Originally from bottles, jars, plates, windows, windshields, ceramics or other sorts of pottery, the water brushed shards of glass are mostly green, brown, blue or purple. Rare exponents, much appreciated by sea lovers come in brighter shades of gray, pink, teal, black, yellow, red, orange or turquoise. Glass Beach does not officially allow tourists to chose their Pacific Ocean souvenirs even though most of them visit here to do so. The best time to gather the jewels of the sea is during spring tide or while the low tide after a storm.

The Skunk Train

When you are not out on Glass Beach looking for its abundant treasures, Fort Bragg can be enjoyed by visiting the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The nature appreciative area was founded in 1961 and comprises canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs and a pine forest. The Fort Bragg harbor was made famous in movies like ''Humanoids from the Deep'' or ''Dying Young'' and the North Coast Brewing company has earned several awards in the the competition entitles World Beer Cup. The Skunk Train is another local attraction, which was baptized accordingly to its gasoline engines and the long-chain hydrocarbons left behind.

Appreciate the power of nature which managed to reinvent the thrown away glass transforming it into attractive souvenirs. Visit Glass Beach after the storm and spot the abundant sea glass that the Pacific Ocean has to offer.