Glass beach, Fort Bragg, Mendocino, CA

The Mendocino Coast of California is often called the "Lost Coast"—and for good reason. It's stunningly beautiful, rugged, and blissfully uncrowded. So, when our family planned a road trip for Presidents' Day weekend, we chose the Mendocino Coast over Big Sur or Monterey to avoid the usual tourist crowds.

We stayed overnight in Fort Bragg, a charming coastal town about four hours from Menlo Park. A storm rolled in, bringing overcast skies for most of the weekend, with a few welcome bursts of sunshine. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Glass Beach—a unique stretch of shoreline that was once a dumping ground. Over time, nature worked its magic, transforming discarded glass from old bottles, car windows, and headlights into smooth, colorful sea glass.

I was especially excited to bring my macro lens to capture creative compositions of the tiny, polished glass pebbles. The clouds parted for a few hours, casting a soft, diffused light that made for some interesting photography. However, the waves at Glass Beach can be unpredictable. My son learned this firsthand when a sudden waist-high wave caught him off guard—so if you visit, remember never to turn your back on the ocean!

I also experimented with some abstract shots of the water under the overcast sky, with mixed results. I’d love to return in the summer, when the weather is clearer, to explore new compositions and see how the beach changes with the seasons.

Glass Beach is a fascinating example of nature’s ability to reclaim and transform human waste into something unexpectedly beautiful. If you're looking for a quiet, scenic getaway with a bit of history and a lot of character, Fort Bragg is well worth the trip.