Beautiful Earth & The Minerals
Beautiful Earth & The Amazing Minerals
Gary Mason has been collecting rocks since he was a little kid. But, trust us, Beautiful Earth is no junior geologists rock collection. And Gary has gone from a kid with heavy pockets to teaching college labs in minerology, geology and chemistry. But it’s his truly awe-inspiring shop full of every kind of mineral imaginable that you have to see to believe. A visit to Beautiful Earth is like walking into a museum, gem store, jewelry shop and prehistoric history classroom combined. Who knew you could come to Fort Bragg and come home with a Megaladon tooth.
Gary And Rob
Bring Stones To Life
There’s more to all of these beautiful rocks than meets the eye and, besides Gary, Field Paleontologist Rob Sula is often on hand to tell each incredible story. Ron studies the late Cretaceous period, so, if he’s not in the shop, he’s probably out somewhere rummaging among the bones of dinosaurs that lived over 66 million years ago. His travels take him to some of the most important geological digs in the country. But if you catch him at Beautiful Earth, he or Gary would be more than happy to send you home with a gift or keepsake with a timeless story to tell.
“I was retired and needed something to do. Now I live 5 miles from the ocean and get to work with what I know and love.”
– Gary Mason
Heather, Wendy & The Princess
Heather, Wendy
& Princess Seafood
Whoever said that a bad day fishing beats a good day working probably never spent a week at sea in 40 knot winds. But that’s not a completely uncommon work day for the fisherwomen of Princess Seafood. And yet, with everything they have going on in Noyo Harbor, Wendy Holloway and Heather Sears might tell you that the fishing is the easy part. The Princess’s Empire, once just Heather and a small boat, now includes The Princess herself, a 42-foot freezer trawler, a full, all-female crew, a fish market and a new restaurant right on the harbor.
Female Fishing Royalty
It’s been quite a ride for Heather, who started fishing with her father off California’s Central Coast as a young girl. At 21 she bought her first boat and worked her way up to The Princess. Now she, Wendy and the rest of the crew fish what the seasons offer out of Fort Bragg. That can mean anything from salmon to Dungeness crab, tuna, ling cod, halibut, sablefish and, well, you name it, they’ve caught it.
Everything they harvest from the sea has long been available fresh from the Seafood Market. But the new treat is the Princess Seafood Restaurant, now serving harborside meals in the Old Django’s Rough Bar location.
“We got the prime spot on the harbor. Now you can eat fresh fish on our deck as you watch today’s catch come in.”
– Heather Sears
Local Tip:
You won’t find a fresher seafood special than what’s on the menu board at the new Princess Seafood Restaurant in Noyo Harbor. Choose from 12 beers on tap while tapping your toes to live music every Saturday and Sunday.
Fort Bragg Independence Day Fireworks
Fort Bragg Independence Day Fireworks
Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Mikael & The Golden West
Mikael &
The Golden West
The Golden West Saloon palpably holds down the fort in central Fort Bragg. It is an understatement to call it iconic, with its venerable wood-carved bar running the length of the room, walls covered in memorabilia, high coffered ceilings, and pretty much everything else that any respectable saloon should have. All boxes are checked on that list.
Holding Down the Fort
As regular patrons themselves of the Golden West back in the early 2000’s, current owners Jessica Morsell-Haye and Mikael Haye, loved the 130 year old establishment, it’s rich history and significance to Fort Bragg, and actually talked and dreamed of owning it one day. They were living in Petaluma in 2013, where Mikael bartended and took care of their first child, and Jessica commuted to a job in the fashion and textile industry in San Francisco – when they found out the saloon was up for sale.
“History gives a place soul. The old materials and aesthetics were made to last. We love that we can see where an old wall was built to section off the bar during prohibition. Stories come alive when you can see the marks they left on their environment.”
—Jessica Morsell-Haye
Local Tip:
Every Tuesday afternoon is Taco Tuesday at the Golden West. It gets going early afternoon and lasts until the tacos run out.
© 2020 Visit Fort Bragg – This Fort Bragg Story was created in September of 2020 and may contain information that is outdated or no longer relevant. Please reach out to Fort Bragg merchants directly or click here for more recent information.
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.