The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in California

California is one of the best dog friendly states in the USA and one of the best joys of owning a dog in this beautiful part of the world is visiting a beach with your furry friend.

Although sadly not all the beaches in California allow dogs. From pretty Carmel-on-Sea to serene half moon bay, here are some of the best dog friendly beaches to visit in California…

Carmel Beach

The draw of any dog beach is the opportunity to enjoy some much needed free time with your best friend and at Carmel Beach that is exactly what you will find! Walk along the sandy coast or play games with your pooch. When all the fun is over, take a leisurely stroll through their dog friendly downtown.

The rest of the popular seaside community is very dog friendly with many fantastic dog friendly hotels to stay in Carmel-on-Sea as well as a good selection of bars, restaurants and even art galleries in the downtown area, which also welcome four legged visitors too.

Ocean Beach Dog Beach aka “The Original Dog Beach”

Traveling down I-8 you will see a lot of sights, but follow this highway to its end and you will come upon Ocean Beach Dog Beach, or as the locals refer to it, “The Original Dog Beach.”

This strip of land at the mouth of the San Diego River was the first place to relax leash laws plaguing most beaches. The town is a mix of old world California beach charm, so expect a lot of fun in the sun and surfers galore. Your dog will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Original Dog Beach.

Arroyo Burro Beach Park, Santa Barbara

A day at the beach with Fido is well spent at Arroyo Burro Beach Park in Santa Barbara. This dog friendly beach boasts plenty of room to run with a family friendly atmosphere. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grass covered picnic area or consider bringing your dog to The Boathouse.

This outdoor eating established welcomes dogs with open paws. Once you are finished running and playing with your friend, the dog was is just at the end of the beach for your convenience. Comfortable, fun, and relaxing is what you can expect from Arroyo Burrow Beach Park in Santa Barbara.

Kiva Beach, Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe beaches are not all known for being dog friendly, but Kiva Beach is one of the remaining pet friendly beaches available.
At Kiva Beach, located in South Lake Tahoe, your dog is able to run and play, but this beach is known to be a bit rocky, so be aware before taking small or sensitive dogs into the beach. There is an excellent beachside dog friendly restaurant at this beach as well.
Generally, Kiva Beach is less crowded than other Lake Tahoe hot spots, so your dog may be more at ease without heavy crowds.

Fort Funston, San Francisco

For the dog socialite in your family, Fort Funston in San Francisco is ideal. The beach is a regular hot spot for San Francisco’s furry friend population, so your dog will have plenty of other pups to play with and an endless supply of fun activities. Getting to the beach is a bit tricky as there is a little hike involved. There are a number of trails throughout the area, but rest assured, no matter which one you choose you and your pup will end up on this beautiful beach. Not only is Fort Funston an excellent dog beach, but generally, you will see a few horses and their riders roam through the area. Fort Funston is fun, safe, and enjoyable for all.

Coronado Beach – Dog Park

Those that visit Coronado Beach Dog Park truly enjoy the surroundings, but first time visitors should realize that not all of Coronado Beach is dog friendly. Coronado’s dog beach is clearly marked with signs, so be sure to keep your dog safely on the pup friendly side.

Dogs are free to roam leash free on the western side of the beach. Once there, you and your friend will enjoy crystal clear waters and a comfortable atmosphere. Plenty of dog friendly activities and marvelous views await you at Coronado Beach – Dog Beach.

Poplar Beach at Half Moon Bay

Poplar Beach at Half Moon Bay is a very popular dog friendly beach, but it can be a bit crowded at times, so if your dog is easily agitated by too many people, it is best to visit this popular dog beach during the week. When visiting, remember to wear comfortable, hiking friendly footwear. From the parking lot to the actual dog beach is a little hike, but once there, strip those shoes off and run happily with your dog. This is another beach where you are likely to encounter horses as it is a regular route for horse riders. Poplar Beach at Half Moon Bay offers plenty of paid parking and walking trails so you can spend an entire day here.

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Guest Post author, Becky @ Global Grasshopper