How a Former Trash Dump Became California’s Most Colorful Beach Thanks to the Ocean

The Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California

Glass Beach is exactly what it sounds like – a beach where the sand mixes with sea glass in different colors. Located in MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, California, this shoreline was created from what was once garbage.

The smooth pieces come mostly in white, brown, and green from old bottles and jars, though you might get lucky and spot rarer blue or red pieces. While there’s less glass now than in past years, it’s still worth checking out.

It Was an Actual Dump Site

Glass Beach has a strange history as Fort Bragg’s former dump site. From 1906 to 1967, locals tossed household waste, broken appliances, and all kinds of trash off these coastal cliffs.

When officials finally closed the dumps, they cleaned up the big stuff but left the glass behind. Over decades, ocean waves crushed, tumbled, and polished the broken glass into the smooth, colorful pebbles you see today. Nature really does know how to clean up after us.

The Secret Spots Most Tourists Miss

Most people don’t realize there are actually THREE glass beaches in Fort Bragg. They’re known as Sites 1, 2, and 3, each from different dumping periods between 1906 and 1967.

Site 1 is reached via the Coastal Trail, while Sites 2 and 3 are found at the end of the path starting at Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive.

Ironically, the main tourist spot has the least glass. For better hunting, check out the harder-to-reach areas during low tide by following the small trails between the bluffs.

You Can Tell What Kind of Glass It Is from the Color

The color of glass you find tells you what it once was. Common clear, brown, and green pieces come from everyday bottles that were tossed away. Blue pieces are more special – they’re from old medicine bottles or Milk of Magnesia containers.

Red glass is the real prize, usually from old car taillights or boat lights. Purple pieces contain manganese, which turns purple in sunlight.

Why the Glass is Slowly Disappearing

Despite rules against collecting and possible fines, visitors take pieces home every day. Recent reviews from 2024-2025 often mention disappointment at how little glass remains compared to years past.

With 1,000-1,200 tourists daily in summer, plus natural wave action grinding down what’s left, the glass supply keeps shrinking. If you visit, please leave the glass for others to enjoy.

Tiny Animals Love Living Among the Glass

One cool thing about Glass Beach is how sea creatures have made it their home. The glass-filled shore creates a unique habitat unlike anywhere else.

Many recent visitors say the abundant hermit crabs in the tidepools are a highlight, with some joking it should be called “Hermit Crab Beach” instead. When you visit during low tide, you’ll see all sorts of tidepool animals nestled between colorful glass pieces.

Some Glass Pieces Glow in the Dark

Something most people don’t know: certain pieces at Glass Beach actually glow under UV light. Old uranium glass from pre-1940s dishware contains tiny amounts of uranium oxide that gives off an eerie green glow under blacklight.

“Fire glass” is another special find – it formed when glass was exposed to flame during trash burning at the dump sites before falling into the water. Bring a UV flashlight on your trip and try hunting for these unique pieces after sunset for a totally different experience.

Best Local Food Spots After Beach Exploring

You’ll work up an appetite after exploring Glass Beach, so head to some local spots afterward. Cowlick’s Ice Cream has been a Fort Bragg staple since 2001, making small batches of artisan ice cream using local ingredients.

Their famous candy cap mushroom ice cream tastes like maple syrup and draws visitors from hundreds of miles away. North Coast Brewing Company offers award-winning beers with good food, while Headlands Coffeehouse serves great coffee and often hosts live music.

Ride a Train Through Redwood Forests

Take a break from the beach and hop on the Skunk Train, which has been running since 1885. The Pudding Creek Express offers a 7-mile, 90-minute round trip through the redwoods from downtown Fort Bragg.

You’ll stop at Glen Blair Junction to stretch your legs and explore. Note that the route is shorter now due to tunnel damage that prevents the full journey to Willits. For something different, try their “railbikes” that let you pedal along the same tracks at your own speed.

More Outdoor Fun Near Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg offers plenty more outdoor adventures beyond Glass Beach. The Noyo Headlands Trail provides scenic walks along rugged coastline with incredible ocean views.

Nearby Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens showcases beautiful coastal plants, while MacKerricher State Park has even more natural areas to explore. You can also try kayaking through sea caves, booking fishing trips, or riding horses along the shore to fully experience the wild beauty of the Mendocino coast.

Museums and Art From Beach Trash

Fort Bragg has other unique spots worth visiting after you see Glass Beach. The Guest House Museum in an 1892 redwood mansion tells the story of the area’s logging history. The Sea Glass Museum features exhibits on how sea glass forms and efforts to preserve it.

The museum’s founder, Captain Forrington, works on research about how glass minerals benefit marine life and dreams of creating glass reefs to support ocean ecosystems. You’ll also find galleries displaying art made from beach debris and driftwood throughout town.

Visiting Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

Glass Beach is at the end of West Elm Street in Fort Bragg, about 3.5 hours north of San Francisco. It’s open daily from sunrise to sunset and free to visit.

Visit during low tide when more glass is exposed. Remember that collecting glass isn’t allowed in the state park area. There are no facilities at the beach itself, but you can find restrooms nearby.