Fort Bragg Tourist Attractions
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Mendocino CountyLocation and originThis town, founded in the year 1884 and situated on the U.S. 1, is on the site of a fort built in 1857 to suppress the Indians. The fort was given up only ten years later and most of the land sold to woodcutters. The reason for the low population density of the coastal region is made clear when you realize that in spite of having only 5,500 inhabitants it is actually the largest town between San Francisco and Eureka. The timber industry continues to be of importance. One of the many saw-mills, Georgia Pacific Mill, is open to visitors on weekdays.
Jackson State Demonstration Forest
The Jackson State Demonstration Forest is public land run by the Forest Service. The most common trees in the Demonstration Forest is coast redwood, but other types are also found including Douglas fir, grand fir, hemlock, bishop pine, tanoak, alder, madrone and bay myrtle. There are three trails to inform visitors about the ecology, history and management of the redwood forest.Other activities that can be enjoyed in the Jackson State Demonstration Forest include camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming and picnicking.
Skunk Train California Western Railroad Depot
The biggest tourist attraction in Fort Bragg is undoubtedly "Skunk Railroad", as the 40mi/64km long railway line of the California Western Railroad to Willits is called. Pulled by an old diesel locomotive, it travels through redwood forests along the Noyo. The journey to Willits takes about two hours. There are two round trips each day from the end of June to the middle of September; in the remaining months there is only one, to Northspur.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Two miles south of Fort Bragg on the U.S. 1 you come to Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, about 20 acres of rhododendrons, fuchsias, native plants and trees.The gardens were founded in 1961 by Ernest Schoefer a retired nurseryman.
MacKerricher State Park
Three miles north of Fort Bragg MacKerricher State Park has 90 species of birds, seals and a lake. There is a nature trail that is accessible to wheelchairs.
