Beaches Blog
Here are our favorite stories about the best dog-friendly beaches in California! Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, we’ve got you covered with the most paw-some spots for your furry friends to enjoy some sand and surf. Check out our list below and get ready for some tail-wagging adventures!
Bike or hike to the beach
The Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila Beach is a 2.5-mile paved path from Highway 101 to the ocean, passing apple orchards and a golf course. At trail's end, off-leash Olde Port Beach rewards you and your dog.
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Beaching it in South SLO County
SLO County's south coast stretches from Pismo Beach to Avila, offering dog-friendly sand, oceanfront dining, and scenic trails. Pismo's Dinosaur Caves Park has blufftop views, while Avila's Olde Port Beach lets dogs play off-leash in the surf beside evening bonfires.
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It takes a (dog-friendly) village
Mendocino village and its surrounding headlands are a dog lover's dream. Hike bluff-top trails to Big River State Beach, explore Point Cabrillo Light Station, and dine with your pup at Ravens restaurant inside the Stanford Inn.
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Surf and woof
For a Valentine's day trip from the Bay Area, head to Point Reyes National Seashore for clear winter views and a beach romp with your dog. Stop at Nick's Cove for fresh oysters on the way back.
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San Francisco is for dog lovers
San Francisco offers dogs an embarrassment of riches, from off-leash romps at Fort Funston and Crissy Field to the stunning Lands End Trail and 24 miles of paths winding through the historic Presidio.
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A weekend for romance
Plan a romantic, dog-friendly Valentine's weekend along the California coast. Pacific Grove's Andril Fireplace Cottages, Bodega Bay's rugged shoreline, and Mendocino's Stanford Inn all offer fireplaces, ocean views, and warm welcomes for your four-legged companion.
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Have dog, will travel to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is a dog lover's playground. Walk the coastal path along West Cliff Drive, let your pup run off-leash at Mitchell's Cove Beach, hike through redwoods at Henry Cowell, or ride a steam train at Roaring Camp.
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Dog-friendly San Simeon Cove
San Simeon Cove offers off-leash beach time just steps from Hearst Memorial State Beach. Hunt for sea glass and jade, watch otters and pelicans, hike the bluff-top trail, then head to Cambria for patio dining.
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Dog-friendly guide to Stinson Beach and Bolinas
Stinson Beach and Bolinas offer contrasting dog experiences in West Marin. Leashed dogs are welcome on Upton Beach at Stinson, while Bolinas Beach allows off-leash romps on a wide sandy stretch.
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Let’s go coasting: Pacifica to Carmel
Highway 1 between Pacifica and Carmel packs 122 miles of dog-friendly beaches, coastal trails, and charming towns. Walk the Devil's Slide Trail, lunch seaside in Santa Cruz, and let your pup run off-leash on Carmel Beach before exploring the village.
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Coastal cabins and cottages
California's coast is lined with dog-friendly cabins and cottages, from retro-themed seaside inns on the Mendocino coast to charming 1940s cottage motels in Pacific Grove and vacation rentals along Big Sur.
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Heritage House: Same time, next year
Heritage House Resort on the Mendocino coast, the filming location for Same Time Next Year, has reopened with fresh interiors, four-star service and a warm welcome for dogs. Ocean-view cottages and bluff-top trails await.
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Paws for a park
Sonoma County's parks offer everything from coastal trails to wooded ridgelines for you and your dog. Hike Hood Mountain, explore Tolay Lake's grasslands, or walk 17 miles of coastline at Sonoma Coast State Park.
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Dog surfing competitions and lessons in Southern California
Southern California hosts dog surfing competitions in Huntington Beach, Imperial Beach, and Del Mar throughout summer. If your pup wants in, lessons are available on Dog Beach in Del Mar with board and life vest included.
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Mendocino coasting with your canine
The Mendocino coast offers leash-free beaches, bluff-top trails, scenic Skunk Train rides, and dog-welcoming inns from Fort Bragg to Little River. Dine at Ravens restaurant with your pup beside you or paddle Big River.
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Russian River Adventures
Russian River Adventures in Healdsburg rents dog-friendly inflatable canoes for a nine-mile float down a secluded stretch of the Russian River. Pack a picnic, let your pup splash at swimming holes, and catch the shuttle back.
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Adventure awaits on the north coast
California's North Coast is a top dog-friendly destination, with the Point Arena-Stornetta preserve, scenic trails, botanical gardens and welcoming lodgings like the Beachcomber Motel and Surf and Sand Lodge in Fort Bragg.
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Downtown dogs in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz lifted its longtime ban on dogs downtown, and the new policy is now permanent. Leashed pups are welcome from sunrise to sunset, opening up cafes, pizza joints, and seafood spots along the way.
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Off-leash beaches for chasing waves
California's 840-mile coastline has some wonderful off-leash beaches for dogs who love chasing waves. From Mendocino's Seaside Beach to Carmel's famous strand, Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur and Coronado Dog Beach in San Diego, here are top picks by region.
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Swimming with fido
Swimming is great exercise for dogs, but it can lead to ear infections, hot spots, and swimmer's tail. A vet explains how to prevent these issues with drying ear cleaners, towel drying, and gradual increases in water time.
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Sit, stay and snore in dog-friendly San Francisco
San Francisco may be the most dog-friendly city in California for overnight stays. From the vintage Ocean Park Motel near Fort Funston to Victorian B&Bs in the Mission, the options for pup-welcoming lodging are endless.
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Dog-friendly road trip through the Sacramento River Delta
The Sacramento River Delta is a watery maze of old-time bridges, levee roads, and farm towns where time moves slowly. Drive Highway 160 with your dog, stroll through historic Locke, and sample Delta wines.
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Cruising with Cosmo in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County's 29 miles of coastline offer beaches, off-leash dog parks with ocean views, and dog-friendly restaurants for a coastal getaway. Mitchell's Cove provides leash-free sand time, while Seacliff State Beach features a quirky concrete freighter from 1910.
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Take a walk on the wave side
When the heat rises inland, the coast calls. Half Moon Bay's six-mile Coastside Trail, dog-friendly beaches at Montara and Bean Hollow, and patio dining with ocean views make it an ideal cool-weather escape with your pup.
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