Day 1 –

Glass Beach is a wonderful spot for a treasure hunt. You and the kids will have great fun searching for beautiful pieces of smooth glass in all colors and shapes. Once the city dump, the area is now a pristine part of MacKerricher State Park.

Afterward, drive three miles north to MacKerricher’s Visitor Center where you’ll find a real Gray Whale Skeleton, a small natural history museum with local wild animals (preserved and on display) and a store that sells hats, toys, t-shirts and other park related goodies.

Lunch and dinner possibilities: pack a picnic from local sandwich shops and markets or dine on hot dogs, pizza or fish and chips at local restaurants. For dessert you might consider fresh-baked cookies or handmade ice cream at a shop on Main Street.

Alternatives: Take a trip on the Skunk Train; spend the day at the C.V. Starr Center with pool and skateboard park. Younger children will love the Wiggly Giggly Playground.

DAY 2 – It’s Beach Day! Slather on your sunscreen, grab your hats and cameras and head for Virgin Creek Beach just 1.5 miles north of Downtown Fort Bragg.

You may see nesting Snowy Plovers (endangered so don’t disturb), pelicans or Black Oyster Catchers. This is home to the Western Gull as well. Want to know more?

You’ll also find great tide pools (careful where you step!).

Other possibilities: how about flying a kite or building sand castle or watching local surfers brave big waves?

For dinner on this all-beach day: fish and chips, of course.

Alternative: play at the Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf Course. From there, drive a few blocks to Pomo Bluffs Park and walk the short trail. There are interpretative panels and sweeping views of the ocean and harbor.

Day 3 – Sign up at Ricochet Ridge Ranch for a horseback ride on the beach or in a redwood forest. For evening entertainment: pizza, followed by a movie at Coast Cinemas.

Day 4 – Let Jeff and Cate at Liquid Fusion Kayaking take you on paddle along the  Noyo River Estuary (dogs welcome).

Day 5 –  Make the C.V. Starr Center you destination for the day: there is a pool, waterslide and workout equipment (and lots of classes). There's also a skateboard park and dog park.

Alternatives:  a great adventure any day is to to see beautiful redwoods and relive some history during a ride on the old Skunk Train, which operates year-around. The train station is at the end of Laurel Street in Downtown Fort Bragg. Food is sold at the Northspur turnaround and beverage service is provided on the train. Check the Skunk Train website for special events.

If you need another beach day, check out family-friendly Caspar State Beach.