Five California Dog Beaches You Should Know
I’m not sure there’s anything Boone enjoys more than a day at the beach! He loves the waves and sand between his toes, venturing into the water (as long as his feet can touch!), digging around for buried treasure, and soaking my beach blanket with his smelly, sandy, wet body! 😂 If there’s a dog heaven, I bet it has a beach! Below are some of our favorite dog-friendly California beaches we’ve visited over the past few years. We’re constantly exploring, so if you have a local dog-friendly beach you think we should check out, please let us know! For now, here are our most-loved spots:
1. Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach
Huntington Dog Beach is our most-frequented local beach. It’s convenient to Los Angeles (just about a 50 minute drive), has a few (fee) parking lots right next to the beach, and some free parking to be found in the neighborhoods just a quick walk across the PCH. This beach is considered an off-leash* beach by the locals, although signs and beach rules indicate dogs should be on-leash. However, for the past several years only unruly and potentially dangerous off-leash dogs have been cited or removed, so as long as Fido plays well with others and you can confidently maintain control of your pup at all times, you can feel pretty safe off-leash here. 🤍
2. Rosie’s Dog Beach, Long Beach
Another So-Cal favorite is Rosie’s Dog Beach. This is the only truly legal off-leash beach in Los Angeles. While this is not a dedicated dog beach, the ‘Dog Zone’ is a stretch of beach between Roycroft and Granada Aves that allows pups between 6AM-8PM every day. Dogs are not permitted outside of scheduled hours or outside of the ‘Dog Zone’ and access paths! 🐾
3. Leo Carrillo Dog Beach, Malibu
Leo Carrillo is a State Park in Malibu. Dogs are allowed on-leash in the day-use areas, the campground, and on the beach NORTH OF LIFEGAURD TOWER 3. Dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails or the beach south of lifeguard tower 3. There is a parking lot (fee) for convenient dog beach access, although you can usually find free parking on the street as well. This beach is relatively private, and scattered with large rocks and boulders typical of other picturesque Malibu beaches.
4. Arroyo Burro Beach aka Hendry’s Beach, Santa Barbara
Arroyo Burro is the only beach in Santa Barbara that allows dogs off-leash in select locations. Your pooch will be thrilled to get to play in the sand and chase some waves! As an added bonus, there’s a coin operated, very nice dog wash in the parking lot, so you can rinse your pup off after all the fun in the salt and sand!
5. Muir Beach, Bay Area/Marin County
Muir Beach is a beautiful, crescent shaped, sandy beach bordered by high bluffs to the north and south, and wetlands behind the strand. Enjoy a cool, breezy beach day and spectacular views with your pup. Dogs are allowed on-leash in most areas, or off-leash on the beach if they are under voice control, meaning they come when called. 🐶 Dave, Boone, and I saw lots of wildlife here, included some surfers throwing crab traps from their surfboards! This local beach and community is such a treasure. Be sure to be respectful, obey all posted signs, and leave only pawprints! 🐾
Have we missed your favorite CA Dog Beach? Know a secret spot we should check out? Boone would love to hear your suggestions! Leave a comment or send us an email! Also, be sure to check out the video below of our family trip to Huntington Dog Beach on one of the hottest weekends of the year! 👇
