Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve protects one of the wilder stretches of coast north of Fort Bragg, where dunes, beach, wetlands, and the Ten Mile River meet the Pacific. It is part of MacKerricher State Park but feels more open and less visited than the areas around Glass Beach or the main park facilities. The draw is space: wind, sand, surf, and fragile coastal plants holding their ground.
This is a place for walking, birdwatching, and letting the Mendocino coast feel untamed. Stay on established paths where signed, since dune habitats are easily damaged, and bring layers even when town feels mild. It pairs naturally with the Skunk Train or Noyo Harbor if you want a day that mixes Fort Bragg's built history with its raw shoreline.