There are some places in Northern California that are just too weird for words. This is one of those places. Referred to as “The Albany Bulb”, this tiny little peninsula was once a landfill. Today, it’s one of the most unique places you can visit. In fact, it’s hard to even categorize what this place exactly is. It’s filled to the brim with bizarre pieces of urban art, graffiti-laden objects, and breathtaking sculptures. Simply put, it’s one of those places you have to see with your own eyes in order to believe it. Are you ready for an urban adventure? Here’s all you need to know about this one-of-a-kind destination.
There are some places that seem to exist within their own little world. When you visit them, you can't help but feel like you are leaving reality and stepping into a vacuum. That's exactly how you'll feel when you visit The Albany Bulb.
You'll find this unique gem located on a thin strip of wetland in the town of Albany. Officially, it's considered an ex-landfill. In 1963, the city of Albany permitted it to be used for the dumping of construction debris.
Dumping officially stopped in 1987 after various lawsuits and efforts that were made by "Save The Bay". To this day you can still see dumped materials such as concrete and rebar all over the place. However, the community has turned what used to be considered a blemish on the Bay into something truly extraordinary...
Over the years, The Bulb has been turned into something of an "art gallery", featuring a plethora of one-of-a-kind pieces that are sure to leave you in awe. The ugliness of the landfill is gone. In its place is a unique blend of urban and natural elements.
There are several more notable pieces that are certainly worthy of checking out. For instance, "The Castle" is actually a dilapidated concrete shelter that has been covered head-to-toe in graffiti.
At one point, The Bulb even contained a "Landfillian Library" which was comprised of approximately 300 donated books. The books were free for visitors to both borrow and keep. Unfortunately, the library burned down in January 2014.
As you walk down to the beach, you'll come across various stunning sculptures. The path is lined with various human-esque sculptures, with the most breathtaking being what seems to be a woman with her hands to the sky.
Over the years, The Albany Bulb has come to mean a lot to the community. It's not just a place to walk the dog and get some fresh air. It's more than that. It's a poignant reminder of what can occur when human and nature combine—both the bad and the good that can come of it.
The future of The Bulb is uncertain. Last year it was integrated into McLaughlin Eastshore State Park and nobody really knows how the park will continue to be managed in the future. For now, it makes for a delightfully surreal adventure.
