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Top 14 Dog Friendly Beaches in San Francisco, CA (2024 Update): Sunny Spots for Your Pup

Gregory Iacono

By Gregory Iacono

bernese mountain dog at the beach

San Francisco is an incredible city and one of the best in California to explore with your dog by your side. There are so many places to walk, visit and have fun with your furry pal, including several dog-friendly beaches. Several of San Francisco’s beaches are ideal for dogs, with plenty of space, safe access to the water, and lots of off-leash opportunities.

If you live in the city or you’ve just arrived for a visit with your canine chum, San Francisco’s 14 amazing dog-friendly beaches are all well worth visiting. You and your dog are sure to find one that you’ll go back to over and over. To examine them all as well as hours, leash rules, and more, read on.

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The Top 14 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Francisco, CA

1. Albany Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍24 Buchanan St, Albany, CA 94710
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • A phenomenal and popular off-leash dog beach in San Francisco
  • The off-leash area is a smaller sandy beach that almost disappears at high tide
  • The views of San Francisco Bay are phenomenal, and the water is usually calm
  • Lots of birds and wildlife around to get your pup excited
  • Bring water and waste bags

2. Albany Bulb Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA 94710
🕐 Open Times: 24/7, 365 days a year
💲 Cost: Free but possible parking fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes and no
  • Small archipelago near Albany Beach with on-leash walking trails
  • Beautiful views of San Francisco Bay and the surrounding area
  • No water or waste bags are provided
  • The garbage dumped here years ago has been made into modern art, and the area is very clean
  • Some areas tolerate off-leash walking with well-behaved dogs
  • Port-a-potties are available in the parking area

3. Baker Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 12 25th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
🕐 Open Times: 24/7, 365 days a year
💲 Cost: Free but possible parking fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
  • Beautiful, wide beach with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Dogs can go off-leash north of Lobos Creek but not south
  • Picnic facilities are available, as well as restrooms
  • Be aware that car break-ins are reported near the beach
  • The beach is very busy in summer and on the weekend
  • No waste bags are provided

4. Bolinas Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 Unnamed Road, Bolinas, CA 94924
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Fantastic off-leash beach for all dogs
  • When the tide comes in, the beach gets smaller quickly
  • The shoreline and waves are usually safe for dogs
  • The beach is rather small, so it’s best to visit during the week
  • The beach is very popular with surfers
  • Bring water and waste bags

5. Crissy Field Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 1199 E Beach, San Francisco, CA 94129
🕐 Open Times: 24/7, 365 days a year
💲 Cost: Free but possible parking fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
  • Grassy fields meet the sand and sea at this lovely beach
  • Designated off-leash area for your pups, or you can use the other areas leashed
  • A water fountain and washing station for dogs are available
  • No waste bags are available
  • A great place to bring active, social dogs to meet others

6. Esplanade Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 360 Esplanade Ave, Pacifica, CA 94044
🕐 Open Times: 24/7, 365 days a year
💲 Cost: Free but possible parking fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
  • This is the only off-leash beach in Pacifica
  • Dogs are allowed off-leash at the beach’s north end
  • You’ll find parking on the street along Esplanade Ave
  • Waste bags are provided and located where the ramp to the beach begins
  • One of the highest-rated dog parks in San Francisco
  • Be aware of strong undertows

7. Fort Funston Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 206 Fort Funston Rd, San Francisco, CA, US, 94118
🕐 Open Times: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • A true dog beach with off-leash allowed year-round
  • A very popular place with many dogs
  • Bring foul-weather gear, as the wind and temperature can change quickly
  • The climb back to the parking area can be difficult for older dogs
  • Bring plenty of water and waste bags

8. Land’s End Beach Off-Leash Dog Area

🗺️ Address: 📍 545 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
🕐 Open Times: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Off-leash dog area located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
  • Your dog must be well-trained and obey voice controls
  • This is a popular beach with ocean access
  • There are trails to enjoy
  • Bring water and waste bags

9. Montara State Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 Montara, CA 94019
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • This is more of a place to walk your dog on fantastic trails than on the beach
  • No garbage cans are near the beach
  • Access to the beach can be limited at times and problematic for older dogs
  • Many people go there with their dogs to fish in the surf
  • There are several tidal pools to explore with your dogs

10. Muir Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 Parking lot, Muir Beach Overlook, Muir Beach, CA 94965
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
  • A 450-foot bridge connects parking to this amazing off-leash beach
  • The waves here can get rough
  • No waste bags or water are provided
  • Keep an eye open for whales
  • The beach is popular but quiet, and best at low tide

11. Ocean Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 1095 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in a designated area
  • Several areas on the beach are off-leash
  • The beach gets very crowded on the weekends, and the parking fills fast
  • Be aware of the changing tides and check tide reports
  • From the north end to stairwell 21, dogs are allowed off-leash

12. Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)

🗺️ Address: 📍 5000 CA-1, Pacifica, CA 94044
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: $7 for 4 hours of parking
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • This is a popular beach that is on-leash, but many allow their well-trained dogs to go off leash
  • No water or waste bags are provided
  • Parking is $7 for 4 hours and is a short walk to the beach
  • There are several restaurants near the beach
  • Beware of the changing tides and strong currents

13. Pillar Point Harbor

🗺️ Address: 📍 Pillar Point Harbor Blvd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: $7 for 4 hours of parking
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • On-leash dog beach that’s also a bird and animal sanctuary
  • Visitors are encouraged to keep their dogs on leashes when visiting to protect wildlife
  • This is a great place for your dog to swim
  • Weekends at this beach are very crowded
  • There is a fishing pier and a boat launch nearby

14. Stinson Beach

🗺️ Address: 📍 3514 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach, CA 94970
🕐 Open Times: 8:00 AM to sunset, 7 days a week
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • A county beach that dogs can enjoy on-leash
  • No waste bags or water are provided
  • Dogs aren’t allowed on the nearby Stinson State Beach
  • There are picnic areas set up
  • The beach is gorgeous

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Final Thoughts

San Francisco is a great city to be a dog that adores the beach! The 14 beaches in and around the city all have their charms and their small drawbacks, but the fun and memories they provide are priceless. While some provide water, showers, and waste bags, most don’t, so it’s always recommended to bring your own. Whichever dog-friendly San Francisco beach you choose to visit, we hope you and your four-legged friends have a safe time filled with the surf, sand, and lots of sniffing around!

Featured Image Credit: ArtTower, Pixabay

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