Sonoma coast sea glass can be found along many of the beaches in Sonoma county. Sonoma coast in Northern California has more than 55 miles of shoreline. There are more than a dozen beaches to explore. There are sandy beaches, rocky beaches, and cliffs to explore. Whether your passion is sea glass collecting like mine, or beachcombing, birdwatching, hiking, whale watching or photography. There is sure to be a beach that will satisfy your passion.
The beach I chose to explore was a beach with many shingles. A shingle is a beach made up of stone, pebbles, and small rocks. At this beach, as seen in the photo below, the rocks were very colorful. This added to the challenge of finding sea glass. I find different methods of collecting sea glass work well depending on my mood and the conditions. I sometimes walk along the beach and look for sea glass as I slowly walk by. When the weather and the tide conditions are favorable, I like to walk along the water’s edge and get my feet wet, as I look for sea glass at the water’s edge. This beach was so inviting that I sat down in the midst of one of the large shingles, and sorted through the tiny pebbles, raking the pebbles with my fingers. I found several tiny pieces of sea glass hiding in the piles of pebbles. I love collecting these tiny pieces and putting them in a glass locket necklace or a little corked treasure bottle.
Collecting sea glass in California means being prepared for all weather, as it may be hot at times, but also it may be cold and foggy. Of course just after a winter storm may be the best time, as the stormy seas cause more sea glass and other materials to wash up on the beach. It is important to know the tide times when you visit an area, as it is possible to get a stranded on a beach when the tide is rising, if you are not attentive to these details.
In addition there are other treasures to discover. We enjoyed a stay at The Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay to allow a little more time to enjoy the surrounding beauty. Our room had an ocean view, the grounds were lovely, and the staff were welcoming and provided us with a bottle of wine to celebrate a special occasion. We dined at Terrapin Creek, a Michelin guide rated restaurant, and were so happy not only with the warm welcoming vibe, but the wonderful service and mouth watering meals.
Before cities used landfills, people buried or burned their garbage on the outskirts of towns. Unwanted glass was often dumped onto beaches, finding its way into the rivers and oceans. This is where transformation to sea glass begins.
Because glass is unrivaled in its sustainability , what was tossed in to the ocean 30-50 years appears on our shores today as sea glass. The history of a location is key to understanding found sea glass .
The ocean’s currents transforms the appearance of ordinary glass. Chemical changes result in the cloudy appearance of sea glass. The soda and lime, used in the making of the glass are leached out by the salt water. Minerals are deposited which contributes to its sparkle.
Sea Glass Transformed
Sea glass is known for its polished, smooth appearance. The sharp or rough edges of glass are polished by the oceans currents, rocky shores and coarse sand.
Sea glass is seen as a symbol of renewal and healing with a new purpose found for broken pieces. Broken bottles, dishes or decorative glass previously of no use, are transformed into a thing of beauty over time. Sea glass is valued by collectors world wide.
