FORT BRAGG: LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND PRESERVE THE
PAST
by Skip Taube
With the closing of the Georgia-Pacific lumber mill in Fort Bragg,
visions of future
uses for this coastal site stray far from its industrial past.
Blessed with a headlands runway built to accommodate corporate
jets, a rail line, and the neighboring port of Noyo harbor, this
unique transportation hub could become an international smuggling
ring nirvana or a bustling regional locus of tourism.
Though a small edge of it (still) belongs to native Pomo
first-peoples, they have (so far) ruled out a coast-hugging
casino. Other ideas range from aquaculture farms to golf course to
amusement park to performing art and conference center to
university or even to (gasp!) open space. Next time you visit Fort
Bragg or Mendocino ask some locals for their opinions and add to
the list.
The Chamber of Commerce and the current
corporate landlords haven't yet offered a reward for the best plan
but, if passion for a point of view were the criteria, there'd be
almost as many front-runners as residents. In the meantime, go to
Noyo harbor while it is still the unpolished gem of the north
coast, visit the cloudcuckooland gallery, take a charter boat to
fish and crab or whale watch, and enjoy a meal on the docks.
Sharon's Restaurant By The
Sea provides up-close observation of the new Noyo bridge
construction and passing boats and seals.
Holding down the title to tradition and
authentic hospitality for over fifty years is Carine's Fish Grotto
& Cappy's Bar. Mama Carine's smile and greeting is as generous as
the portions–the burger and mountain of fries is to be shared
unless you are a really big eater!
For more history, visit the Guest House Museum next to the Skunk
train depot and the remnant fort building next to city hall.
For historical ambiance while dining, try the
beautifully restored Old Coast Hotel or the popular Mendo Bistro
on the old Company Store's spacious mezzanine. Equally old and as
fascinating is Glass Beach at the end of Elm St. Site of an old
over-the-cliff trash dump where the ocean was used as a recyling
center, this is a great access point to tide pools, trails and end
of summertime blackberries.
For easier hiking and biking, there is access
next to the Beachcomber Motel on Hwy. One just north of town to
the old lumber hauling road, stretching north for 10 miles along
the bluffs and thru the sand dunes that are part of MacKerricher
State Park.
After recreating, head back into Fort Bragg to the North Coast
Brewing Company for some award winning beer and comfort food, or
check out Harvest Market's (Hwy. 1 & 20, at the Boatyard shopping
center) deli, bakery and picnic supplies. They have an incredible
selection of artisan cheeses, affordable fine wines, fresh
seafood, sushi, local organic produce and gourmet foods made in
Mendocino County.
A great place to enjoy a picnic is the Mendocino
Coast Botanical Gardens just south of Ft. Bragg. With 47 acres to
the sea, this is one of the few public gardens in the world with
direct ocean frontage. Their retail nursery, gift shop and Audubon
bird center will insure that you find the perfect gift or souvenir
for just about anyone.
For more info, visit the Chamber Of Commerce on Main St./Hwy. 1 in
downtown Fort Bragg, the Ford House visitor center at the
Mendocino Headlands State Park on Main St. in Mendocino or the
Chamber website at www.mendocinocoast.com.
|
