Fort Bragg, California Boasts Some Of The World's Best Beaches

Are Fort Bragg beaches the best in the world? We think they could be!

Over a 12-mile stretch of Northern California's Mendocino Coast, the beaches near Fort Bragg offer more things to do, more rugged coastline, more hidden coves and sea caves, more interesting rocks, more birds, more clear water and more solitude than anyplace else we know of.

You can picnic, run, beach comb, explore tide pools, watch whales, go birding, ride horses, or photograph big waves … and even bigger sunsets. Three of our beaches are world renown for colorful frosted sea glass, tumbled into myriad fanciful shapes by majestic waves.

Jug Handle Beach, two miles south of Fort Bragg, CA

Although these beaches are enjoyed by surfers, abalone divers, sea kayakers, families, couples, adventure seekers, equestrians and pet lovers, you'll rarely see a crowd.

Fort Bragg also is proud to be the official "Gateway" to the California Coastal National Monument along the Mendocino Coast. Located off the 1,100 miles of California coastline, the California Coastal National Monument comprises more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles between Mexico and Oregon. All those beautiful rocks are home to sea lions, harbor seals, pelicans, gulls and abundant marine life.

In addition to the Coastal National Monument, here are seven great Fort Bragg beaches to explore:

Ten Mile Beach
Virgin Creek Beach
Glass Beach
Pudding Creek Beach
Hare Creek Beach
Jug Handle Beach
Caspar Beach

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Safety Reminder:

As with beaches everywhere, beware of possible hazards, including slippery rocks, crumbling cliffs, and sneaker waves (large waves that seemingly surge out of nowhere). Our clean clear waters are cold (52-54 degrees Fahrenheit) so wetsuits are essential for swimming, surfing, or diving. Keeping children (and dogs) out of the water during big surf days is just good commonsense.