Pacific Coast Highway

2019-12-27
Sea Glass Beach and Point Reyes National Seashore, CA

Sea Glass Beach is a small section of beach in California that is mostly covered with glass. As you'd guess, it is really just the result of an offshore garbage dump; sort of like those landfill parks you see here and there only more coastal. Long ago they dumped a lot of bottles (and other trash) off the coast, and the residual broken glass has washed up on shore. It’s a big tourist attraction. However, for many years people have been taking the glass while the sea continues to pulverize what remains, making it a disappear. Furthermore, a couple years back the stairs to the beach itself washed out, and now you are not permitted to go down to the actual shore which - if enforced - may actually extend it for a while. There was a plan to dump more bottles to replenish the beach (and maintain the tourist trade), but the council figured they'd never get the necessary permits. However, the view from the coast is still great, and the beach itself still sparkles.

From there, it was a long ride down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) which stays pretty close to the shore for the duration. The road is an arm workout with all the turns, and as a bonus it has incredible views to distract you. I'd recommend it if you get the chance.

At Point Reyes National Seashore the Laguna Trail and Coast Trail Loop hike awaited. It starts near the hostel and runs about 5.5 miles through some of the scrub and back along the shore, which is mostly beach at this point. It’s important to note that the Pacific is much colder than the Atlantic (although maybe about the same this time of year) so there was no swimming or even swimsuits for us. Still, a great hike along a very easy trail.

After the hike we headed to the city, dropped off our luggage at the hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf, and returned the rental car. I took my first Lyft to get back to the hotel. I think it was my first time in a Prius as well. It was a fine experience all around.