It was once a dump where all kinds of glass objects were trashed. After decades of rolling in the surf, Glass Beach, at the southern reach of MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, is roiling in pieces of smooth, colorful glass that are a delight to behold. Rules prohibit collecting souvenirs, but you’ll find plenty of jewelry in town crafted from the colorful pieces. Keep your pup on a leash and watch your kids and pups near the water, as the surf can be dangerous.
Want immediate gratification when staying in Fort Bragg? Noyo Beach Off-Leash Dog Area is a small but popular off-leash strand that sits where the Noyo River enters the Pacific Ocean. The parking area is under the Highway 1 bridge over the Noyo River and Harbor Channel.
Seaside Beach, six miles north of town, is roomier than Noyo and has segments where your dog can run off-leash (but please pay attention to the signage). You’ll have to travel south past much-photographed Mendocino Village, to access other dog-friendly beaches such as Big River State Beach, Mendocino Headlands State Park and Van Damme State Beach, Gualala Point Regional Park and Beach and Cook’s Beach. (All of which require leashes.)
