:: California Sea Glass Association::
Articles:
Why collect sea glass? What is it about a piece of worn surf-tumbled glass that is so alluring? Is it the hunt? Is it the surprise treasure of an emerald green gem washed up after a high-tide? Is it the memories that sea glass invokes of quiet walks along the beach? Collecting sea glass can encompass all these things, or it can be a personal passion of unexplained origins. Whatever the reason you collect sea glass, California has some of the best sea glass collecting beaches in the world!
As a native Californian I was lucky to live by the Ocean. My parents also share a deep love and respect for the Pacific waters and my family would often vacation at rugged northern California beaches. It was then that I think my first interested in sea glass was ignited. I would spend hours at the shores of the beaches in Northern California. We would explore the tide pools and hunt the rocky shores for treasures from the deep. It was during these hours of exploration along the sandy shore that I would find pieces of sea glass. It was the colors I was drawn to, the fact some pieces so closely resembled raw gems as the sun illuminated them on the wet sand. I couldn’t stop picking them up and I still can’t!
Being able to spend time at the beach gives me a sense of connection with my surroundings and the environment. The ocean has and will continue to provide me with excitement, mystery, respect and humility. I love watching the huge winter storms hit the coast, the sheer power of the Mother Nature is always humbling and amazing to watch!
California beaches are some of the best for sea glass hunting because of the long continental shelf, abundant course sand, and the consistent surf that pounds our shores year round, plus a long historical maritime presence of people and trash make for a fantastic combination for sea glass collectors. We also have the beautiful sunsets that make California the best place to live and be at the beach.
Please share your reasons for collecting sea glass with us – we will publish them on this site along with any pictures you would like to share.