FORT BRAGG

And for good reason! There are lots of whale watching opportunities along the Mendocino coast, but Noyo Harbor of Fort Bragg, is the major harbor for whale watching trips asea!

WHAT'S FORT BRAGG ALL ABOUT?

(CC) Art Poskanzer

This charming little town is only 10 miles from Mendocino Village, but Oh, the difference between the two!

They both started out as logging towns, but somehow the former maintained it's rustic and pragmatic blue-collar feel, while Mendocino Village emerged into the 21st Century with a sophisticated artsy flair.

One of the more interesting things about Ft. Bragg's history lies in the aftermath of the 1906 Earthquake. Although the little town itself was nearly destroyed by fire, its logging and mill industries brought the community back from the brink of disaster by furnishing the lumber needed for the rebuilding of San Francisco!

Today this little town offers a variety of experiences for its visitors - you'll find museums, a fishing harbor, shopping, redwood forests, ocean views and access, scenic train rides, and festivals to celebrate the wonderful bounties offered by land and sea.

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND FORT BRAGG

• You can shop for antiques, local artists works in a variety of media, African crafts, hand-crafted folk art, rare and out-of-print books, ecosmart clothing, garden art objects, home decor, and more
• Stroll, kayak, board a whale-watching or sports-fishing boat, dine on fish and chips - all at Ft. Bragg's Noyo Harbor
• Ride the Skunk Train as it criss-crosses the Noyo River through coastal mountains and scenic redwood forests
• Visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - the only botanical gardens in the continental United States that has ocean-front footage; 47 acres of beauty, and you can bring your pooch along to meander the paths with you




• Explore Ft. Bragg's Glass Beach - a fascinating example of how Mother Nature can correct man's mistakes! At one time people were using this spot to dump all kinds of trash into the ocean - sort of an unofficial city dump - the practice was finally stopped and over the years the pounding waves have polished the pieces of broken glass into smooth-sided gem-like rocks to delight us; you'll find lively tidepools to explore as well
• Mendocino Village is the one with the reputation as an artsy place, but Fort Bragg has at least as many galleries and resident artists as Mendocino does - visit during First Friday, when the galleries and shops highlight local artists' works - and don't forget to visit the Tattoo Museum!



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• Take the self-guided Ft. Bragg Oddities Walking Tour and discover a stagecoach step, horse-and-buggy hitching rings, the Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park, and many other strange little things you wouldn't expect to see in the 21st Century

If you have time (and be sure to make time if you possibly can!) visit some of the other areas of Mendocino County as well - you won't be sorry you did!

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