A visit to MacKericher State Park near Fort Bragg, California will leave you with more than memories. If you know where to look, you could go home with pockets full of brilliant sea glass. This West Coast spot is home to one of the best “glass beaches” in the world.
There’s something weird and wonderful about this beach in Fort Bragg, California.
Flickr/David Dufresne
As soon as you step onto the “sand,” you’ll realize you’re actually sinking your toes into millions of smooth, sea glass pebbles.
Wikimedia Commons/Bab Buceo
Glass Beach in MacKericher State Park is a former dump site that has been transformed by nature into a massive seaside swathe of colorful glass.
Wikimedia Commons/Bab Buceo
The glass has been tumbled smooth by the waves and sand since the site’s closure in 1967, so it’s all perfectly safe to handle and admire.
Flickr/Images by John K
There are three beach sites in Fort Bragg where amazing sea glass can be found. The largest one is known as Glass Beach, or Site 3.
Tripadvisor/LorraineMontana
Because people have been collecting glass here for years, the main beach is actually becoming depleted.
Flickr/Images by John K
For this reason, taking glass home with you is not allowed on the section within and adjacent to the state park.
Flickr/Images by John K.
However, most of the glass is actually found at Sites 1 and 2, which are separate from the state park. Collecting here is perfectly fine.
Flickr/Images by John K.
Glass Beach has a surreal beauty that has to be seen to be appreciated.
Wikimedia Commons/Charles Nadeau
Click here for directions to Glass Beach. To reach the beach area where it’s legal to collect, head south (left) at the end of the bluff near the parking lot.
Flickr/David Dufresne
Wikimedia Commons/Bab Buceo
Flickr/Images by John K
Tripadvisor/LorraineMontana
Flickr/Images by John K.
Wikimedia Commons/Charles Nadeau
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