With over 800 miles of coastline, the state of California is a beach lover’s dream. While humans can usually frequent any beachfront, dog owners commonly find that the sandy shores are off-limits to their canine companions. That’s not the case everywhere, and this list of 11 amazing dog-friendly beaches in California is a handy resource to let you know which coastal locations welcome you and your pup.
The 11 Dog-Friendly Beaches in California
1. Rodeo Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍1049 Mitchell Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965
🕐 Open Times:
Open 24 hours, parking lots open between sunrise and sunset
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash::
Yes, dogs must be under voice control
Part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Unique pebble beach
Dog-friendly hiking trails located nearby
Picnic spots and restrooms on site
Keep your pup out of the nearby lagoon, home to many endangered species
2. Rosie’s Dog Beach
LA County’s only official dog beach
Dogs must stay on a leash until reaching the beach
Limited poop bags available, bring your own
Restrooms and trash cans onsite
Also popular for families, parking can get crowded
3. Moonstone Beach
Quiet beach located at a river mouth
Popular for swimming, rock climbing, and surfing
Limited parking and portable restroom only
A beach of the same name located elsewhere in California is not dog friendly—don’t get them confused!
4. Dog Beach San Diego
One of the first dog beaches in America
Extremely popular, can get crowded fast
Shallow water for swimming and rocks for climbing
Restrooms and trash cans available
Easy walk to local restaurants and breweries
5. Arroyo Burro Beach
Located in Arroyo Burro County Park
Dogs allowed in the entire park, but off-leash only in one area
Dog wash station available
Picnic spots, restrooms, showers, and a restaurant on site
6. Baker Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍12 25th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121
🕐 Open Times:
Open 24 hours, parking lots open between sunrise and sunset
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash::
In one section only, check signs to confirm
Part of the beach is clothing-optional for humans
Dogs must be on leashes in most of the area
Beautiful view of Golden Gate Bridge
Parking lots fill up quickly
Restrooms, picnic spots, and grills available
7. Carmel Beach
Dogs must be on a leash everywhere but the beach
Use the ramps and access path only to prevent damage to the bluffs
Restrooms available
Doggy waste bags available
8. Huntington Dog Beach
Restrooms and picnic tables available
Water fountains for dogs and humans
Dogs must stay on-leash until reaching the beach
A dog license is recommended for safety
9. Del Mar Dog Beach
Dogs allowed on leashes in all areas
North Beach is off-leash during the off-season
Gentle surf, excellent for swimming
Dogs must wear tags
10. Coronado Dog Beach
Street parking only
Dog waste bags provided
Beautiful scenery
Restrooms available
11. Fort Funston
Features 200-foot cliffs
Dog-friendly hiking trails located nearby
Very windy location
Watch dogs closely in the surf, strong undertow
Conclusion
For this article, we focused on beaches that allow dogs off-leash for at least part of the year. However, dogs are allowed on-leash at many state beaches and other locations in California as well. Check local regulations before setting out for your day at the seaside .
Always be sure to pick up after your dog and properly dispose of waste bags . Not every dog will enjoy the experience of saltwater rushing towards them; introduce your pup to the ocean slowly to see how they react.
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Featured Image Credit: 220 Selfmade Studio, Shutterstock