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!
Just beach it, beach it, beach it
San Diego's beaches are a paradise for dogs. Ocean Beach allows off-leash romping around the clock, Fiesta Island offers 1.5 miles of waterfront freedom, and Coronado and Del Mar provide seasonal off-leash access on gorgeous sandy stretches.
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Breed restrictions are the pits
Finding dog-friendly hotels can be tough when you have a large or restricted breed. One DogTrekker reader shares her great experience traveling with two pit bulls to San Luis Inn and Suites, where the staff treated her dogs like royalty.
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Where to Cruz with your pup
Santa Cruz County pairs gorgeous coastline with a growing wine scene, and many tasting rooms welcome dogs. Follow the Corralitos Wine Trail for organic pinots, visit MJA Vineyard, or stop at Bonny Doon on a scenic Highway 1 cruise.
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Sip and stroll in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County offers dog-friendly wine tasting from the Danish village of Solvang to the Urban Wine Trail downtown. Let your pup run free at Arroyo Burro Beach and sip local Rhone varietals at pet-welcoming tasting rooms.
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Kissing the Santa Cruz coast
Santa Cruz County 29-mile coastline has 15 dog-friendly beaches, from Seabright and Manresa to Davenport and Lighthouse Field. Add a stroll along West Cliff Drive and dog-welcoming hotels for a full coastal getaway.
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Lake County dog-friendly waterfront getaways
Pet-friendly cabin resorts line the shores of Clear Lake and Blue Lakes in Lake County. From waterfront cabins with full kitchens and boat launches to the meticulously renovated Lodge at Blue Lakes, lakeside getaways with your dog abound.
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Get wet at a Monterey County splash spot
Carmel City Beach tops the list of Monterey County splash spots where dogs run free on powdery sand. Beyond that famous strand, leash-friendly beaches from Asilomar to Pfeiffer Beach offer stunning scenery for you and your pup.
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Dog-friendly Lake County adventures
Lake County offers dog-friendly water adventures from Clear Lake to the spring-fed Blue Lakes. Rent electric boats, splash at state park beaches, hike wildlife areas and watch for bald eagles and wild tule elk at Cache Creek in cooler months.
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Feeling fine in Felton
Just seven miles from Santa Cruz, Felton offers dog-friendly steam train rides through redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads, trails at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and the quirky Bigfoot Discovery Museum.
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Become a water dog in Mendo County
The Mendocino Coast is a perfect summertime retreat, and the dog-friendly Little River Inn makes an ideal base. Their Water Dog package pairs ocean-view rooms with kayak tours through sea caves, plus easy access to beaches and state parks nearby.
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Swirl, sip and savor at Santa Cruz’s dog-friendly wineries
Santa Cruz County is home to more than 100 wineries, and many welcome dogs in their tasting rooms. From Bonny Doon Vineyard in Davenport to the Surf City Vintners collective, it is a great Highway 1 wine tour.
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Go coast crazy with your dog along Highway 1
Highway 1 along the California coast offers far more than stunning views. From dog-friendly beaches in San Luis Obispo County to redwood forests and wineries in Santa Cruz, there are endless reasons to explore with your pup.
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GGNRA dog-walking saga: The backstory
After years of legal battles over dog walking restrictions in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service withdrew its controversial dog management plan in 2017. The original 1979 rules allowing dogs on GGNRA lands remain in effect.
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Make it Marin for dog-friendly GGNRA trails/beaches
More than 12,000 acres of GGNRA land in the Marin Headlands offer long on-leash walks and off-leash beach romps within view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rodeo Beach, Muir Beach, and Fort Baker top the list of dog-friendly favorites.
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San Francisco county’s GGNRA bounty
San Francisco's GGNRA lands wrap nearly the entire shoreline, from Fort Mason to Fort Funston. Dogs can romp off-leash at select beaches, explore 24 miles of Presidio trails, and take in million-dollar views along the Lands End path.
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Choose Redding for new dog-friendly scenery, experiences
Redding and Upstate California offer a refreshing change of scenery for dogs and their people. Walk the Sacramento River Trail, marvel at Shasta Dam, explore Whiskeytown Lake, and chase waterfalls along the McCloud River.
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Hop on a houseboat with your pup
A houseboat vacation means water, sun and quality time with your dog. Trinity Lake and Lake Don Pedro both offer dog-friendly houseboat rentals through Suntex Marinas, with fishing boats and pontoons available too. Here's what you need to know.
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California labradors, retrievers and more rescue
San Diego-based California Labradors, Retrievers and More Rescue saves dogs who need it most, including injured, senior, and mixed-breed pups. Meet Mai Tai, a three-legged boxer with perfect manners ready for her new family.
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Cruising for history and scenery in Santa Cruz County
Roaring Camp Railroads in Santa Cruz County sends steam trains through towering redwoods on tracks once used for logging. The 75-minute ride to Bear Mountain includes a picnic stop, and the historic village offers kid-friendly activities and hiking.
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Water safety guidelines
Before heading to the pool, beach, or lake with your pup, brush up on water safety. Not all dogs can swim, and even strong swimmers face risks from waves, rip currents, and pool exits. These tips help keep everyone safe.
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Make it a family affair in Marin County
Marin County rolls out the welcome mat for families with dogs. From the shops and farmers market at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur to off-leash romps at Rodeo Beach and scenic trails through the Marin Headlands, there's fun for everyone.
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Dog-passionate places to rest heads and paws
The Mendocino Coast has hotels that truly love dogs, greeting them with treats, beds and bowls. From the eco-luxury Stanford Inn to the Victorian-era Little River Inn and Fort Bragg's Beachcomber properties, pet pampering is the standard here.
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A pedigreed playground for your pup
Fort Bragg Noyo Harbor Inn puts you steps from a fishing village, state park beaches, the Skunk Train, and Glass Beach. Off-leash dog areas at Noyo Beach and Seaside Beach make this Mendocino Coast stretch a pup paradise.
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Cruz the California coast
Santa Cruz County's 29 miles of coastline include 15 dog-friendly beaches. Walk West Cliff Drive's coastal path, explore Seabright and Davenport beaches on-leash, and choose from dozens of pet-welcoming hotels, inns, and cottages for your stay.
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