Dog-Friendly Hikes near Central Coast

Featured hikes

Arroyo Verde Park

Ventura

Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura, Ventura County, Southern California, spans 132 acres of rugged terrain, offering a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Bay Pines Travel Trailer Park

Morro Bay

Bay Pines Travel Trailer Park in Morro Bay, conveniently located in San Luis Obispo County along the stunning Central Coast, offers a range of amenities for a comfortable camping or RV experience.

Bishop Peak Trail

San Luis Obispo

Discover Bishop Peak, the tallest of the Nine Sisters, a stunning chain of volcanic Morros that grace the landscape of San Luis Obispo.

The hike to Black Hill summit is 3 miles round trip with 600-foot elevation gain. Black Hill is the second of the Nine Sisters, a string of ancient volcanic peaks that span the 12 miles between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.

Cerro San Luis Trailhead

San Luis Obispo

Located in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, on the Central Coast, the Cerro San Luis Trailhead offers a scenic escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Douglas Family Preserve

Santa Barbara

The 70-acre Douglas Family Preserve (DFP) is located near the intersection of Cliff Drive and Las Positas Road in the Mesa neighborhood.

Eolian Dunes Preserve

Monterey

Eolian Dunes Preserve, spanning 28 acres in the Sand City section of the Coastal Trail, offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions in Monterey County.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Bluff

Cambria

Take Hwy. 1 to Cambria, then through 3 traffic lights. Turn left at 4th light, Windsor. Drive to end of road approx.

Frog Pond Wetland Preserve

Monterey

A local treasure in Del Rey Oaks, the 17-acre Frog Pond Wetland Preserve is composed of a unique arrangement of habitat including frogs, deer, hummingbirds, towhees, mallards and western fence lizards.

Graham Hill Trail

Felton

This trail is located inside of Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

Hillcrest Open Space Preserve

Thousand Oaks

Hillcrest Open Space Preserve, located in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, Southern California, offers a moderately strenuous 4½-mile loop trail with a total elevation gain/loss of about 1300 ft.

Indian Creek, Paradise Falls

Thousand Oaks

This trail is a part of the Conejo Recreation & Park District; managed by the Conejo Open Space Foundation. This is an easy 4 mile loop with a total elevation gain/loss of about 500 feet.

Irish Hills

San Luis Obispo

Irish Hills Natural Reserve is a geographically discrete 720-acre riding area, yet it contains over 8 miles of trails. Many loops are possible on mostly single-track trails. The rocky, serpentine landscape contains chaparral, oak, grasslands, and riparian habitats.

Jacks Peak County Park

Monterey

Jacks Peak Park, part of Monterey County Parks, overlooks the spectacular Monterey Peninsula and is located about two miles from Scenic Highway 68. A natural preserve, the park's 525 acres of ridgetop is set amidst native Monterey Pines.

Laguna Lake Trails

San Luis Obispo

Laguna Lake Park lies south of Cerro San Luis. This 375-acre park includes a 25-acre lake and several hiking trails.

Lake San Antonio

Bradley

Lake San Antonio, part of Monterey County Parks, is Monterey County’s premier freshwater recreation area.

Lampton Cliffs Park

Cambria

Lampton Cliffs Park in Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, on the Central Coast, offers a serene 2.1-acre retreat for visitors and their furry companions.

Lizard Rock, Paradise Falls

Thousand Oaks

This trail is a part of the Conejo Recreation & Park District; managed by the Conejo Open Space Foundation. Moderate 4.5 mile round trip, with a total elevation gain/loss of about 700 ft.

Loch Lomond Recreation Area

Felton

Loch Lomond Recreation Area, located in Felton within the Santa Cruz Mountains of Santa Cruz County along the California Coast, offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Los Robles Nature Walk

Thousand Oaks

This trail is a part of the Conejo Recreation & Park District; managed by the Conejo Open Space Foundation.

Meadow Trail

Felton

This trail is located inside of Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

Puma Road Winery

Soledad

Puma Road Winery, located along the scenic River Road Wine Trail in Soledad, Monterey County, is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and dog lovers alike.

Rattlesnake Canyon Trail

Santa Barbara

This is probably the most popular canyon trail hike in the Santa Barbara front country. It's especially popular with dog walkers due to the year-round stream and lush habitat that provide water and shade along the route.

Antonelli Pond

Santa Cruz

Please note: Natural Bridges State Beach, which is also located on Delaware Ave., (on the opposite side of the street from Antonelli Pond), is NOT...

Arroyo Burro Trail

Santa Barbara

This hike is a challenge. It's one of the rare front country hikes that has uphill both on the way up and on the way back, and all of it is steep. It's a...

Asilomar Natural Dunes Natural

Pacific Grove

Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve in Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, offers a serene escape for both two-legged and four-legged visitors.

Bacon-Butterfield Ranch trail

Soledad

East Side Trails, Easy Hikes, Bicycle and pet friendly

Big Falls Trail

Arroyo Grande

The 1.5-mile trail is in the Santa Lucia Wilderness portion of Los Padres National Forest. Big Falls flows year-round, plunging 80 feet into a pool that makes for a popular swimming hole come summer.

Bob Jones City

Avila Beach

The Bob Jones City to the Sea Trail in Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California, offers a picturesque journey along the Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way, meandering alongside the serene San Luis Obispo Creek all the way to the vibrant Avila Beach promenade.

Byrne-Milliron Forest

Santa Cruz

The Land Trust owns and manages this property as a working forest, and takes pride in making it available to its members and the public. The forest is a...

Camarillo Grove Park

Camarillo

The dog-friendly Upper Loop is a moderate hike, over 1 mile in length, with an approximate 600 foot vertical differential. You will see both dry southern exposures and northern exposures with cactus species, monkey flower, sumac, and the ever endearing poison oak. This trail crosses

Cave Landing Trail

Shell Beach

Shell Beach, located in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast, offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

El Moro Elfin Forest

Los Osos

The El Moro Elfin Forest in Los Osos, adjacent to the Morro Bay estuary, is a 90-acre natural area belonging to San Luis Obispo County Parks and California State Parks. A 4/5 mile boardwalk loop, constructed in 1999, provides access for young and old, walkers

Emma McCrary Trail

Santa Cruz

Located along the eastern boundary of Pogonip in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, the Emma McCrary Trail offers a picturesque outdoor experience for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and dogs on leash.

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Carmel Valley

Located 8.6 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, Garland Ranch Regional Park is 4,462 acres in size with many trails.

Hearst San Simeon State Park

San Simeon

Six miles of SLO County coast near Hearst Castle — leashed dogs welcome at the campgrounds, picnic area, and San Simeon Creek beach.

Islay Hill Open Space

San Luis Obispo

Islay Hill at the eastern tip of the chain of volcanic plugs in San Luis Obispo, is the place to be for our four-legged adventurers.

Johnson Ranch Open Space

San Luis Obispo

Enjoy a hike through Johnson Ranch Open Space, a 3.7-mile loop that treats you and your leashed dog to breathtaking vistas of the rolling hills in San Luis Obispo, all conveniently located off the 101 Freeway.

Laguna Lake Park

San Luis Obispo

Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, on the Central Coast, is a beloved 375-acre recreational haven. The park boasts a picturesque 25-acre lake, perfect for fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, row-boating, and bird watching.

Land of Medicine Buddha

Soquel

Land of Medicine Buddha is located on 108 acres of ancient redwood groves and sunny oak meadows; it's a perfect place to allow the serenity and magic to wash away your cares and woes.

Lopez Lake

Arroyo Grande

Located just ten miles east of Arroyo Grande, California, Lopez Lake Recreation Area is one of the top choices for camping and leisure trips.

Mathews Trailer Lodge

San Luis Obispo

Mathews Trailer Lodge, located in the City of San Luis Obispo, offers a prime location in the "Happiest Place in the USA." Situated within walking distance to downtown, guests can enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Hikes near Central Coast

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Hikes near Central Coast

Hikes near Central Coast

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