174 dog-friendly beaches in California

Featured beaches

Alder Creek Beach

Big Sur

Alder Creek Beach, located along Highway 1 in Big Sur, Monterey County, offers a serene escape for both humans and their furry companions.

Carmel Beach is known for its white sands and the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is particularly popular among dog owners because dogs are allowed to roam off-leash under the supervision of their owners.

Carmel Meadows Beach

Carmel By The Sea

Carmel Meadows Beach, located in Carmel By The Sea along the Monterey County coast, is a serene destination offering a perfect blend of nature and relaxation.

Carmel River State Beach

Carmel By The Sea

Carmel River State Beach, located in Carmel By The Sea along the Monterey County coast, offers a picturesque one-mile crescent of blue waters that attract both locals and visitors.

Faria Beach Park

Ventura

Campsites at Faria Beach Park in Ventura, Ventura County, California, are highly sought after by outdoor enthusiasts seeking a picturesque coastal retreat.

Garrapata State Beach

Carmel By The Sea

Garrapata State Beach, located in Carmel By The Sea, Monterey County, California Coast, is a haven for water enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Harbor Cove Beach

Ventura

Harbor Cove Beach, also known as "Mother's Beach," is a beloved destination in Ventura, California, offering a safe and family-friendly environment for visitors of all ages.

Hidden Beach

Aptos

Hidden Beach in Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California Coast, is a serene oasis within a 1.5-acre neighborhood park, offering a delightful escape for both locals and visitors.

Hobson Beach Park

Ventura

Located North of Faria Beach Park and the Rincon Parkway along Highway 1 off the Ventura Freeway, Hobson Beach Park in Ventura, Ventura County, California offers a picturesque coastal escape for visitors and their furry companions.

Its Beach

Santa Cruz

Its Beach, located in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California Coast, is a hidden gem for dog lovers seeking a tranquil coastal retreat.

Little Sur River Beach

Carmel By The Sea

Little Sur River Beach, located in Carmel By The Sea, Monterey County, is a delightful destination for water fun enthusiasts and their furry companions. This picturesque beach offers a serene escape for visitors seeking a tranquil coastal experience.

Manresa State Beach

Aptos

Manresa State Beach, located in Aptos, Santa Cruz County along the California Coast, offers a serene getaway for beach-loving travelers and their furry companions.

Mill Creek Picnic Area

Big Sur

Mill Creek Picnic Area in Big Sur, Monterey County, is a serene spot that offers more than just picturesque views.

Mitchell’s Cove Beach

Santa Cruz

Mitchell's Cove Beach, located in Santa Cruz, offers a picturesque coastal retreat for both locals and visitors. Administered by the City of Santa Cruz, this serene beach welcomes leashed dogs at all times.

Mondos Beach

Ventura

Mondos Beach in Ventura, Ventura County, California, is a versatile destination catering to families, sunbathers, beginner surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, and longboard enthusiasts. The beach offers a picturesque setting for a day of relaxation and water activities.

Moran Lake Park

Santa Cruz

Moran Lake Park surrounds a lagoon in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz. The park has its own parking area, restroom facilities, and even has a dirt trail running along the north side of the lagoon.

Morro Bay State Park

Morro Bay

Let Morro Rock, a 581-foot-high volcanic plug and major coastal landmark within Morro Bay State Park, be your guide as you explore two dog-friendly beaches. Both beaches require dogs to be on a six-foot leash.

Moss Landing Beach

Moss Landing

Romp on this beach tucked in behind a main street in Moss Landing. This beach is located behind MBARI. There is an entrance next to Phil's Fish Market and at the end of Sandholt Road.

New Brighton State Beach

Capitola

Named for its British namesake, New Brighton State Beach in California is a scenic marvel that has attracted both humans and wildlife for generations, including those with four-legged companions.

North Point Beach

Morro Bay

The scenic North Point Beach in Morro Bay allows dogs on a leash, making it a great spot for a quiet walk along the sand or a relaxing afternoon by the ocean.

Oil Piers Beach

Ventura

Oil Piers Beach is a long stretch of sand located between the Ventura County communities of Mussel Shoals and Seacliff Beach Colony, right next to Highway 101.

Pfeiffer Beach

Big Sur

Pfeiffer Beach, a renowned spot on the Big Sur coast in Monterey County, California, offers a picturesque setting for water fun enthusiasts and their furry companions. Managed by the U.S.

Pismo State Beach

Oceano

Pismo State Beach in California is a welcoming location for dogs and their owners. Dogs are allowed at this beach and on the park trails as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet.

Rio Del Mar State Beach

Aptos

Located in Aptos along the stunning Santa Cruz County coastline, Rio Del Mar State Beach is a must-visit destination for water enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove

Big Sur

Sand Dollar Beach & Jade Cove, located along Monterey's Big Sur coast in Monterey County, California, is a must-visit destination for dog owners seeking a picturesque and dog-friendly beach experience.

Seabright Beach

Santa Cruz

Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, California, is a welcoming destination for dog owners looking for a beach day with their furry companions.

Seacliff State Beach

Aptos

Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, California, offers a welcoming retreat for dog lovers and their furry friends.

Surfer’s Point Beach

Ventura

Surfer’s Point Beach, located off Figueroa Street in Ventura, is renowned as one of California’s top surfing and windsurfing destinations.

Willow Creek Beach

Big Sur

Willow Creek Beach, located along Highway 1 in Big Sur, Monterey County, California, is a picturesque destination offering stunning scenic views of the California Coast.

Arroyo Burro Beach

Santa Barbara

While DogTrekker regularly updates off-leash rules, it is important to check to be sure that this area still allows voice control prior to removing your dog’s leash.

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.

Asilomar State Beach

Pacific Grove

Please note: leashed dogs are allowed at Asilomar State Beach. Please consider families with infants and young children who frequent the beach when walking dogs by keeping them under control and picking up after your pet.

Avila Beach

Avila Beach

Please note: dogs are allowed on Avila Beach (leashed) before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Dogs are not allowed on Avila Beach between the hours of 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Butterfly Beach

Montecito

Butterfly Beach, located in Montecito along the California coast in Santa Barbara County, is a picturesque on-leash beach that stands out as one of the loveliest spots in the area for both locals and visitors.

Cayucos State Beach

Cayucos

Cayucos State Beach is known for its beauty, fishing pier and historical buildings. Many of the buildings left over from the prospering old town still stand as a variety of shops such as restaurants, antique stores, and specialty items.

Davenport Beach

Davenport

Davenport Beach, located in Santa Cruz County along the California Coast, offers a serene escape for water-loving visitors and their furry companions.

Fisherman’s Beach

Avila Beach

While DogTrekker regularly updates off-leash rules, it is important to check to be sure that this area still allows voice control prior to removing your dog’s leash.

Greyhound Rock Beach

Davenport

Greyhound Rock Beach, named for the mudstone sea cliffs, offers a serene coastal escape about seven miles north of Davenport in Santa Cruz County, California.

Monterey State Beach

Seaside

Monterey State Beach, located in Seaside along the Monterey County coast, offers a unique experience for dog owners seeking a beach getaway.

Morro Strand Beach

Cayucos

Morro Strand Beach in Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County, along the California Coast, is a prime destination for dog owners seeking a pet-friendly beach experience.

Oceano Dunes State Park

Oceano

Oceano Dunes State Park offers a unique outdoor experience where sandy beaches meet rolling dunes. This coastal area is known for allowing vehicles directly on the beach, providing opportunities for off-road activities.

Oceano Dunes SVRA

Oceano

This off road area is among the most popular and unique of California State Parks.

Olde Port Beach

Avila Beach

Olde Port Beach, located in Avila Beach along the San Luis Obispo County coast, is a haven for both two-legged and four-legged beach enthusiasts. This sheltered cove boasts soft sand, gentle waves, and plenty of off-leash fun for furry companions.

Palm State Beach

Watsonville

Palm State Beach, located in the vicinity of Pajaro Dunes at the southern end of Sunset State Beach west of Watsonville, offers a delightful day-use area along the Santa Cruz County coastline.

Pleasure Point Beach

Santa Cruz

Pleasure Point Beach, located on the northern Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County, California, is a renowned surf destination.

Santa Claus Beach

Santa Barbara

Santa Claus Beach, a local favorite along the California Coast in Carpinteria, is a hidden gem just a short drive from downtown Santa Barbara. This wide...

Silver Strand Beach

Oxnard

Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard, Ventura County, along the California Coast, is a haven for water enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. This mile-long stretch of silvery sand attracts local surfers, boogie boarders, and body surfers seeking the perfect wave.

Beaches near Central Coast

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Beaches near Central Coast

Beaches near Central Coast

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