Huddle Around A Fire
Huddle Around A Fire
Few things make winter more welcoming than a warm fire. In Fort Bragg you have a few options to lose yourself in the crackling comfort of an open flame. On the spacious oceanside decks at Beachcomber Hotel there are beautiful gas fire pits along with barbecues and picnic tables. Everything you need for a perfect cool weather picnic. The historic Weller House, built in 1886 is the oldest house in Fort Bragg, with accommodations that include the 4-story water tower and antique working fireplaces. For an option that involves a meal, head down to Noyo Harbor and grab a seat at Sea Pal restaurant around a cozy fire pit overlooking the harbor.
Watch A Storm Blow In
Watch A Storm Blow In
If you’re lucky (yes, lucky) enough to be in Fort Bragg for a big rainstorm, you’re in for a treat. If you are suitably dressed and looking to be in the elements, hike the Coastal Trail along the bluffs just outside of town (Otsuchi Point arguably has the best vantage point). It’s quite a sight to see. If you prefer a comfier vantage point, North Cliff Hotel has a suite set-up. Imagine a gas fireplace and a spa overlooking the ocean – in your room. Other spots up for consideration include the Weller House Water Tower, the highest spot in town, or Silver’s At The Wharf with its massive glass windows looking west into the dark seas of a coming storm.
Shop The Shops
Shop The Shops
The Fort Bragg Downtown Shopping District is the perfect place to pass a chilly afternoon with an array Fort Bragg-flavored shopping choices. If antique and vintage is your thing, start your shopping on Redwood Avenue. From top to bottom, start with The Larry Spring Museum and Lost Coast Found (they share adjoining spaces), and then Little Cup Ceramics and Doorward. All four locations with a different twist on “vintage” that you won’t want to pass up. Head northwest via shops on Laurel Street (Ficus&Fern and Lunar Tide are perfect if looking for local-style gifts to bring home to your family or house sitter), and end up at the Depot Mall for even more shops of interest, from Shirts and More to Beautiful Earth.
Get Immersed In Marine Biology
Get Immersed In Marine Biology
Come face to face with an orca at the Noyo Center For Marine Science Discovery Center in downtown Fort Bragg. Don’t worry, it’s actually an orca skeleton (the world’s largest) that washed up on the Mendocino Coast. Equally impressive to both kids and adults, there are many interactive exhibits including the Ocean Immersion Dome that puts you underwater in 360-degree video. Cabrillo Lighthouse has a 240 gallon salt water tank and marine animal exhibits and a museum dedicated to the lighthouse itself. Weather permitting, get outside and venture into a natural marine habitat at MacKerricher State Park tide pools. Follow the boardwalk out to Laguna Point.
Wait For Night – Look Up
Wait For Night – Look Up
Photo: Mitchell Ritter
On cold, clear nights, the sky above the North Coast is incredible for stargazing. From downtown Fort Bragg just hike out to the Coastal Trail and leave all forms of light pollution behind. We recommend a warm blanket, wool cap, a reclining lounge chair and maybe something warm to sip. With the sound of ocean waves breaking you’ll get an eyeful of distant galleries and see the stars like you’ve never seen them before.
Hike The Redwoods In The Rain
Hike The Redwoods In The Rain
Of course, there are lots of gorgeous places to meander among the big trees along the Mendocino Coast. But few will reward you as richly as locations close to Fort Bragg. Hike the ecological staircase at JugHandle Beach, venture into Russian Gulch State Park, or choose Otis John Johnson Park, accessible from the east end of Laurel Street. In the wintertime the forest comes to life with mist that falls from the trees, glistening ferns, mushrooms of all shapes, colors and sizes, and banana slugs slithering across the trails.
Extreme Beauty. Moderate Temperatures.
Extreme Beauty. Moderate Temperatures.
Photo: David Shockey
Yes, it’s pretty cool up here on the North Coast this time of year. And gorgeous. But before you pack the parka, keep in mind that being this close to the ocean keeps the temperatures fairly mild, even when it’s freezing inland. Not to go all meteorological on you, but Fort Bragg’s rainforest-like climate means you may find the weather a little warmer than you expected.
Watch For Whales
Watch For Whales
There’s something so unforgettably thrilling about seeing the majestic Gray Whales as they pass the Fort Bragg coastline on their annual migration. Winter months are best, as the leviathans swim south from Alaska to the breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico. High vantage points, like the Cabrillo Lighthouse, the Coastal Trail at Otsuchi Point and MacKerricher Park offer good views, particular on calm mornings. If you’re up for the high seas, consider a whale watching charter out of Noyo Harbor, like Telstar Charters, The Kraken, Hooked on Mendo, and The SeaHawk.
Winter Visit
Maybe you thought that when the first storm blows in the North Coast closes its shutters and settles in for the winter. Well, we’re here to show you just how much you would miss by not planning an off-season trip to Fort Bragg. What if we said you could have a beach to yourself? Maybe a hike in the misty magic of a redwood grove in the rain. Whale watch. Deal shop. Or cozy up in your room with a fireplace and a view of the ocean. At Fort Bragg in the winter, without a lot of visitors, you’ll feel more like one of the locals. So, pack a few layers, your rain boots and knit cap and join us on a journey to enjoy Fort Bragg before the summer fog blows in and the crowds come back. Be sure to check in beforehand, however. Hours and policies can change because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Eat Fresh Chowder
Eat Fresh Chowder
Fort Bragg is a great place to warm your insides, too, especially down at the Noyo Harbor where the fishing boats come in, and especially now that crab season is finally in full gear. Pop in to Noyo Fish Company for chowder and a side of beer battered fried pickles. Silvers at The Wharf does clam chowder in a bread or, even better, garlic bread bowl. They do an equally bang up job with chowder at their sister restaurant, Mayan Fusion, located right downtown. And to add to the embarrassment of riches, find excellent freshly made chowders at Princess Seafood’s new location at the far end of the wharf and enjoy some chowder with a sweeping harbor view at the Noyo Harbor Inn.