San Mateo County stretches along the stunning Peninsula coast between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, offering dog-friendly beaches, redwood forests, and charming seaside towns. Half Moon Bay welcomes dogs on its blufftop Coastal Trail and several sandy beaches, while nearby Pacifica features the popular dog-friendly Pacifica State Beach and scenic Pedro Point Headlands.

Inland, leash up for a walk among towering old-growth trees at Huddart Park or explore the vast network of trails maintained by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The county’s San Mateo County Parks system offers miles of dog-friendly hiking through coastal bluffs, oak woodlands, and redwood groves. After a day outdoors, enjoy pet-welcoming patios in downtown Burlingame, San Carlos, or Half Moon Bay, where the coastal dining scene pairs perfectly with salt-air appetites.