19 Best Dog Friendly Beaches in California

Looking for the best dog friendly beaches in California?

I’ve got you covered. 

The Golden State has some of the most beautiful beaches and rugged coastline in the world, and many are dog friendly. 

From San Francisco to Los Angeles, there are so many places you’ll want to visit. And of COURSE you need to bring your dog with you!

I recently took my golden retriever out for some adventures in California and we decided to explore some of these dog friendly beaches together.

We ventured to Tahoe, Half Moon Bay, San Fran, and Truckee to check out some of the best beaches – and immediately booked trips back to San Diego and LA so he can see even more of the Cali coast.

Using my first-hand experience, let me tell you about California’s best dog friendly beaches.

Get ready to have a paw-some time!

Best Dog Friendly Beaches in California, USA

1. Fort Funston Beach

Fort Funston is an incredible beach that’s super popular among wind gliders. The bluffs are beautiful and a wonderful place to come in the evening. 

I recommend visiting Fort Funston about an hour before sunset. The views are absolutely breathtaking!

One of the best things about Fort Funston is that there’s plenty of space to walk your dog, it’s usually not too busy, and you can let your dog off their leash to roam free. 

But be prepared for some cooler temperatures. The beach is known for constant wind and cool ocean temperatures year-round. 

2. Baker Beach

Another ideal beach to bring your dog to in the San Francisco area is Baker Beach. This part of the coastline is spacious, sandy and has a mesmerizing view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Although this is another off-leash beach, it is one of the most crowded beaches near SF. Consider walking through the trails nearby with your pup or heading to the beach’s northern end for more peace and quiet. 

Just be aware that clothing-optional naturists often spend time in the less touristy parts of this beach. 

3. Moonstone Beach

This beach is an absolute hotspot in Central California for both humans and their furry companions.

Fitting to its name, this charming beach offers the chance to discover stunning, luminescent rocks (like moonstones), and you can even see marine life in the beach’s tide pools. 

You can also enjoy walking paths along the coast, sunbathing, and watching the surfers when the waves are big enough is really fun.

If you enjoy surfing, you may also want to come to this beach without your dog.

4. Montara State Beach

Montara State Beach is a great spot for dog owners to enjoy a day at the beach!

Located near the majestic Pacific Ocean, the temperature here usually hovers around the mid 18 °C (60ºF) during summer, and there is plenty of room to play fetch or lounge on the beach. 

The park is surrounded by some of the most beautiful coastal cliffs in the Bay area. It’s the perfect backdrop for a day of beach fun with your pup.

5. Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach (a.k.a. OB) is a fantastic place for dogs to play and have fun in San Francisco. It’s 3.5 miles (5.6 km), making it the longest beach in the city, with ample space for dogs to explore.

It’s a great place to soak up some sun without venturing too far from the city, but it’s also the busiest beach in San Francisco, so it can be hard to find much solitude here. 

To make it even better, they provide a dog litter station right at the entrance to the park.

6. Rosie’s Beach

Rosie’s Beach is a long stretch of sand located next to Long Beach City in Los Angeles. 

The beach, also known as Rosie’s Dog Beach, is very convenient to visit while staying in LA. You can come here with your pup for a morning walk or visit in the evening and enjoy the sunset together! 

If you are visiting during summer, it can get very hot – up to 85ºF (30ºC), so bring extra water and an umbrella if you plan to spend a few hours in the sun. 

Also, since it is a “designated dog beach,” bags and pooper scoops are usually available for visitors, and there is even a puppy water fountain!

7. Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach is one of California’s most unique dog-friendly beaches, with soft, white sand made of quartz crystals. 

Not only is the beach beautiful, but you can also explore scenic paths along the coast, free parking, clean restrooms, and the quaint town of Carmel-By-The-Sea just off the iconic Highway 1 (aka. the Pacific Coast Highway). 

The stores on Downtown Ocean Ave let you bring your pup along to shop. 

Carmel Beach is an off-leash beach, but dogs must be controlled by their owners at all times. Also, Mutt Mitts are at the top of every staircase, so cleaning up after your dog is easy.

8. Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington Beach is one of the best beaches to enjoy with your dog near Long Beach and Irvine, California. Huntington Beach is known for warm, sunny weather, so expect your dog to get right into the water!

It’s not just the beach that is dog friendly. You will find that many of the cafes and restaurants in the area allow dogs on the patio, and most hotels/resorts are pet friendly, too! 

Huntington Dog Beach is much warmer than beaches in central California, so your dog can safely play in the water. 

You must keep your dog on a leash until you reach the sand, and it is ok for the dogs to be off-leash from there.

9. Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado Beach is a pet friendly paradise. 

The views at the beach are stunning, with the iconic Hotel del Coronado and the city skyline in the background. 

For your convenience, Coronado Dog beach provides dog poop bags and trash cans to help keep the beach clean. Your dog is also allowed to wander off-leash.

Many local businesses, including restaurants and hotels in the surrounding area, also welcome pets, making Coronado Dog Beach the perfect afternoon destination for you and your dog while on vacation.

10. Arroyo Dog Beach

Arroyo Burro Beach, also called Hendry’s Beach, is one of the best spots to bring your dog for a beach day in Santa Barbara!

There is plenty of space for you and your dog to run around in the sand, and the view is so pretty with the mountains surrounding it.

This off-leash beach is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon having a picnic or hanging out by the sea on your California vacation.

11. Dog Park Fiesta

Dog Park Fiesta is a fantastic place for dogs and their owners to spend time together during a vacation in California.

Located in San Diego, this dog park is an excellent area to walk your dog along the ocean, with plenty of space to run and play by the water.

The park is fully fenced in, ensuring your dogs cannot escape or get injured from outside danger, and the sand is soft and gentle on your puppy’s paws.

Water fountains and showers are also available to keep them hydrated and clean during hot sunny days. The area is also wheelchair accessible, and a parking lot is nearby for convenience.

12. Limantour Beach

Limantour Beach is an amazing spot to visit if you want a pet friendly beach with breathtaking scenery in Point Reyes, California.

The National Park Service allows dogs in certain designated areas of Limantour Beach, making it safe and convenient to bring your pup along for a nice walk on the beach. 

The beach has plenty of parking nearby, and the walk to the beach is short and convenient. The shore has plenty of sand and space for your dog to play.

This is truly a wonderful place to 9spend the day with your furry friend. Just be sure to pick up after them to help keep the beach clean for everyone to enjoy.

13. Avila Beach

Avila Beach is a fantastic destination with stunning natural beauty, rocky shorelines, and rolling hills. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Avila Beach is a great place to spend a day with your pup on the central coast.

The wide beach has plenty of space for you and your dog enjoy the sand, and swim in the ocean. The surrounding landscape also makes it possible to enjoy various outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and even kayaking!

The town surrounding the beach is also very dog friendly, with many shops and restaurants welcoming pets with open arms.

Just keep in mind that your dog must be on a leash during their time at Avila Beach.

14. Del Mar North beach

Del Mar North Beach is another dog friendly beach located in San Diego.

The beach is split into two parts by the San Dieguito River mouth. It is easy to find and offers warm, swimmable water, and plenty of space for both people and pets to stretch out in the sand.

Plan to visit during low tide, when the beach is at its widest, to ensure that your dog has extra space to run around and explore! No leash is required at Del Mar Dog Beach, but be sure always to have eyes on your pet.

Some areas may require that you pay for parking, so be sure to look out for extra fees.

15. Leo Carrillo State Park

Leo Carrillo State Park is a must-see if you’re searching for an adventure in Santa Monica.

The park is known for its wide sandy beaches, rocky tide, and easy hiking trails, all of which are perfect for exploring with your dog. Visitors love walking along the trails with their pup and enjoying the sites.

The nearby tide pools are another special location where you can explore and may even get up and personal with aquatic life.

Keep in mind that your dog has to be on a leash while exploring Leo Carrillo State Park. 

16. Pismo State Beach

Pismo State Beach is renowned for its breathtaking ocean vistas, picturesque trails, and close proximity to sand dunes. 

The beach provides a calm and inviting ambiance, with a charming downtown area that features unique shops and delectable restaurants.

It boasts several facilities that cater to both pets and their owners, such as dog waste stations and pet-friendly accommodations. 

All dogs are welcome! Just remember that they must be on a leash at all times.

17. Poplar Beach

Poplar Beach is a fantastic beach spot for dogs, located near a neighborhood in Half Moon Bay, California. The beach is managed by the city of Moon Bay, and it’s free to access.

The beach can be reached by walking or car, with the western end of Poplar Street being the best access point to the shore. 

If you are visiting on the weekend, arriving early is a good idea, as the beach can get really busy. The ocean currents at Poplar Beach are known to be strong, so remember to be careful if you are hoping to go swimming.

Your dog is welcome to roam off-leash, where there is plenty of beach space to play!

18. Dillon Beach 

This beach is unlike any other beach you’ve been to before.

Located in Marin County, this private-owned beach is a great place for dogs to run and play, and many local businesses are also happy to welcome dogs into their space. 

Dillon Beach is also known for its hiking trails, fishing, and water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.

Dogs are free to run off-leash, and restrooms are available for convenience.

Its convenient location and commitment to being a dog-friendly destination make it a special and beloved destination for dog owners. 

19. Original Dog Beach

Original Dog Beach is one of the first official leash-free beaches in the country, and it remains a popular destination for dog owners.

The beach is approximately one mile long and provides plenty of shore space for dogs to run around in the sand.

Original Dog Beach is perfect for activities such as early morning playtime in the sand, sunset strolls along the coast, and relaxing by the ocean.

Some popular entry points include the northernmost end of the beach at the intersection of Voltaire Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. 

The beach is open 24 hours a day, dogs are free to explore off-leash, and parking is available for $2 an hour.

Even More Dog Friendly Beaches in California

• Cornado Dog Beach, Sunset Park and Ocean Boulevard in Cornado
• Leo Carrillo State Park, Santa Monica
• Cardiff State Beach, Encinitas
• Monterey State Beach, Monterey

Packing List

FAQs About Dog Friendly Beaches in California

Final Thoughts: California Dog-Friendly Beaches

California has plenty of pretty beaches where dogs are welcome with open arms!

Whether you are looking for a wonderful picnic spot on the coast, want to go swimming with your pup, or just want to spend a sunny day in the sand, California has the perfect dog friendly beach location for anyone’s ideal vacation.

So pack your bags, grab your dog’s leash, and head to one of these awesome dog friendly beaches on the Golden Coast!