Dog-Friendly Beaches Across The USA

Check out our pick of Dog-Friendly Beaches in California

San Diego

The City of San Diego has two designated leash-free exercise areas for dogs.
Dogs are allowed at Dog Beach and on Fiesta Island.
Dogs are restricted at other beach and bay locations.

Dogs are allowed on beaches after 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31 or after 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31.
Licensed dogs are allowed on the beach, and on sidewalks and park areas near the beach, during the night and early morning hours until 9 a.m., but they must be leashed.

Dog Beach / Ocean Beach
This beach area is located at the west end of the San Diego River Floodway, also known as the Ocean Beach Flood Control Channel.

Fiesta Island on Mission Bay
This island in Mission Bay Park allows dogs anywhere outside the fenced areas.

City of San Diego: Approved leash-free areas

Family & Pet-Friendly Guide: San Diego

Visitor Info, Dog-friendly Accommodations
Including 12 hotels where Dogs Stay FREE!

Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Ocean Blvd., Coronado, CA 92118
Set directly across from Sunset Park on Ocean Boulevard, bordering Coronado’s North Island U.S. Naval Station, Coronado’s Dog Beach "offers leash-free romps year-round".

Del Mar Dog Beach
Del Mar's three beaches - North, Main and South - are located between Solana Beach to the North, and Torrey Pines State Beach to the South.

A section of the Main Beach - between 25th and 29th streets - is open to off-leash dogs before 8 a.m. during the off-season.

Del Mar Dog-Friendly Beaches: Current Rules:

North Beach (29th Street to Solana Beach border) 
Off-leash dogs permitted 

Main Beach (North boundary of Powerhouse Park to 29th Street)
Leashed dogs allowed - 25th to 29th Street - Off-leash dogs allowed dawn to 8:00 a.m.

South Beach (Powerhouse Park to Torrey Pines State Beach boundary, at 6th Street)
Dogs must be leashed

Powerhouse Park
Dogs prohibited in the children’s "Tot Lot" and adjacent grass area south of the beach path at the southern end of the park. Dogs are permitted, leashed, on all adjacent walkways and sidewalks in the park.

La Jolla Shores
8302 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
During the winter time, dogs are only allowed on the beach after 4 pm and, during the rest of the year, after 6 pm.

Solana Beach
Beach Rules: Dogs
Dogs are NEVER allowed on the beach. Leashed dogs are allowed at the Community Center and Fletcher Cove parking lot and viewpoint only between sunrise to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to sunset.
Check Solana Beach Rules here.

Fletcher Cove
111 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075, USA
Dogs will be allowed on-leash year round North of the Tide Park Beach (Tabletops) stairway access (located at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Solana Vista Drive) to Cardiff State Beach and South of the Del Mar Shores Beach (Rock Pile) stairway access (located at 180 Del Mar Shores Terrace) to Del Mar. Dogs will NOT be permitted on the beach or access at Fletcher Cove or Seascape Surf at any time of day year round. 
Check out Fletcher Cove details and rues here.

Surf City USA / Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach officially adopted the Surf City USA nickname in January 2008. Located just 30 miles south of Los Angeles, HB as it is known, boasts 10 miles of sandy beaches which hold more than 50 surf contests each year, including the legendary US Open of Surfing.

Huntington Dog Beach
20211, Huntington Beach Bike Trail, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The 1.5 mile Huntington Dog Beach sits along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street. Dogs are allowed on the beach, but must be kept on a leash. Check out the rules here.

Pet-friendly places to stay in Surf City USA / Huntington Beach CA

Los Angeles

Santa Monica Beach / Venice Beach / Manhattan Beach
Pets are not allowed on Santa Monica State Beach, Venice Beach or Manhattan Beach.

Long Beach: Rosie’s Dog Beach
5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
Between Granada Avenue and Roycroft Avenue.
Note: This area is not fenced in and is not a dedicated "dog beach."
The Dog Zone is in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Dogs are not permitted at times other than scheduled hours, or any other place than Dog Zone and access paths.

Rosie's Dog Beach - Location & Rules

Long Beach Dog Parks - Locations & Rules

Malibu

Little Dume Beach
Located near Point Dume in Malibu, the only access to Little Dume Beach is via a private path that leads from Whitesands Place. Access to the public portion of the beach is by walking from Paradise Cove Beach or Big Dume Beach at Point Dume State Park.

Sycamore Cove Beach Point Mugu State Park
Located just north of Malibu, Sycamore Cove Beach is one of three beaches within Point Mugu State Park, the others being Point Mugu Beach, and Thornhill Broome Beach. Dogs on a leash are allowed on beaches and campgrounds within Point Mugu State Park.

Leo Carrillo State Beach
Located north of Mailbu, Leo Carrillo State Beach allows on-leash dogs on a section of North Beach north of Lifeguard Tower #3. This also includes the area known as Staircase Beach.

Ventura

Surfer’s Point at Seaside Park
Located off Figueroa Street, Surfer’s Point at Seaside Park allows on-leash dogs on the beach.

Harbor Cove Beach (Mother's Beach)
Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
On-leash dogs allowed on beach.
Sometimes referred to as Mother's Beach as it is seen to be very safe.

Marina Park Beach
2950 Pierpont Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
On-leash dogs are allowed on Marina Park Beach.

Other Ventura beaches:
Silver Strand Beach
Oxnard Beach Park
Hollywood Beach On-leash Dogs allowed before 9am / after 6pm
Pierpont Beach at South Seaward Avenue 
Ventura State Beach at Ventura Pier
Emma Wood State Beach

Pet Friendly Ventura, CA | Dog Parks, Beaches & Hotels (visitventuraca.com)

Santa Barbara

The southern border of Santa Barbara contains four miles of beaches including East Beach, West Beach, Leadbetter Beach, Shoreline Park, and the beach in the Mesa neighborhood accessed by Mesa Lane and Thousand Steps (end of Santa Cruz Boulevard).

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from the eastern City limits west to Leadbetter.
Dogs may be exercised off-leash on the beach from the Shoreline Park Staircase to the eastern edge of the Arroyo Burro Estuary.
Dogs are allowed on-leash in Shoreline Park.
Dogs are not allowed on West Beach.

Check out Santa Barbara beaches and rules here.

San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway – Pismo Beach

Pismo State Beach
Dogs are permitted on Pismo State Beach but must be on a leash at all times.
Dogs are not permitted on Pismo Pier.

Morro Bay Dog Beach
Toro Creek Road, Cayucos, CA, US, 93430
Located north of San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay Dog Beach allows on-leash dogs.

Avila Beach
Located north of Pismo Beach, and near Avila Hot Springs, Avila Beach allows off-leash / under voice-command control dogs on Olde Port Beach.
Dogs are allowed off-leash and under voice-command control on Avila Beach before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. daily.
No dogs are allowed on Fisherman’s Beach.
Check out Avila Beach regulations here.

Big Sur

Pfeiffer Beach
Access via Sycamore Canyon Road, Big Sur, California 93920

Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park is located on Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel (18 miles north of Big Sur).

Dogs are ONLY allowed on the beach at Gate 19 (south end of park) and on the trails leading to it. Dogs are NOT allowed in all other areas.

Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea

Monterey State Beach
The north access point of Monterey SB, is west of Hwy 1.
Take the Hwy 218 (Seaside) exit. Proceed west to parking lot.
The south end is accessible west of the intersection of Figueroa St & Del Monte Av.

Dogs are not allowed at Monterey State Beach North of the Monterey Beach Resort hotel.
Dogs on leash are allowed at Monterey State Beach South of the Monterey Beach Resort hotel.
Dogs on leash are allowed at Asilomar State Beach, Carmel River State Beach, and Garrapata State Park.
Dogs not allowed from Seaside lot north.
Dogs are not allowed on Monterey State Beach north of Roberts parking lot.
Monterey State Beach is open to dogs on leash south of Roberts parking lot.

Monterey State Beach (ca.gov)

Carmel Beach
Located at the foot of Ocean Avenue, Carmel Beach allows off-leash dogs under voice control.

Carmel Beach - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (carmelcalifornia.com)

Santa Cruz

Lighthouse Field State Beach (aka Its Beach) on West Cliff Drive
740 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
On-leash dogs allowed.

Bean Hollow State Beach
Located on the San Mateo Coast, Bean Hollow is 17.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 3 miles south of Pescadero on Highway 1.
On-leash dogs allowed on beach.

Mitchell's Cove Beach
Mitchell's Cove Beach is located in west Santa Cruz, below the bluff between Woodrow Avenue and Almar Avenue on West Cliff Drive.
Off-leash dogs allowed before 10am, and after 4pm.

Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay Beach is located a half-mile west of Highway 1 on Kelly Avenue in Half Moon Bay. 
Dogs are prohibited on the beaches at all times.

Other beaches in Santa Cruz County:
36th Ave Beach, Santa Cruz
38th Ave Beach, Santa Cruz
Blacks Beach, Santa Cruz
Corcoran Lagoon Beach, Santa Cruz
Moran Lake Beach, Santa Cruz.

Your Guide to Dog-Friendly Beaches - Visit Santa Cruz County

San Francisco

Fort Funston Doggie Beach
Fort Funston Doggie Beach is the southernmost beach on the Pacific Coast side of San Francisco.
Pet Policy: Off-leash dogs under voice control.

Baker Beach
Located west of the Golden Gate, the mile-long Baker Beach is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
North of Lobos Creek: off-leash dogs under voice control.
South of Lobos Creek: dogs must be leashed.
https://www.nps.gov/prsf/planyourvisit/baker-beach.htm

Other beaches near San Francisco
Ocean Beach
Crissy Field
Point Reyes

Dog-Friendly Beaches Florida

Miami

Miami Beach’s Bark Beach
Between 80 & 81 Street Beach. East of the North Beach Oceanside Park, entrance on Collins and 81 Street. 305.673.7730

There are currently seven designated Bark Parks (see below) and one Bark Beach within the City of Miami Beach.

Hours
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Pet Policy
Dogs permitted in designated beach area only. Dogs shall be on leash at all times except in designated area. Owner must carry leash at all times in the Bark Beach area.

Bark Parks/ Bark Beach | City of Miami Beach (miamibeachfl.gov)

Pensacola Beach West Dog Park and Pensacola East Dog Park

Pensacola Beach is a located on the Gulf Coast barrier island of Santa Rosa, and includes Opal Beach, part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, which stretches into the Gulf of Mexico.

Pet Policy
Dogs are welcomed at designated dog beaches only, located at lots 21E and 28B. All other beaches and parks on the island are off limits, including Casino Beach.
Santa Rosa Island| Things To Do Dog Beach (visitpensacolabeach.com)

Pensacola

Pensacola Beach Dog Parks
Pensacola Beach offers two dog parks; the dog parks are open to dogs only and they must be on a leash.

Dog Park Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset except during turtle season (May 1-Oct. 31) when open 7 am to Sunset.

The West End Park is located at Parking Lot 21.5, the first parking lot past the last condos on the Gulf.

The East End Park, Parking Lot 28.5, the first parking lot past Portofino. Numbers 21 E (west) and 28 B (east) on our reference map.

Flagler Beaches & the Palm Coast

The designated pet-friendly areas of Flagler Beach are either north of N 10th Street. or south of S 10th Street.

Flagler Beach North
A1A between North 11th Street to North 23rd Street

Flagler Beach South
A1A between South 11th Street to South 27th Street
Pet-Friendly Flagler Beach & Parks (visitflagler.com)

Haulover Beach Park, Miami Beach, FL

Haulover Beach Park, Miami Beach, FL

Delaware

Fenwick Island
Delaware Seashore State Park
Beach Plum Island Nature Reserve
Cape Henlopen State Park

Pets are allowed in Delaware seashore parks, but Delaware state law prohibits them on all swimming and sunbathing beaches from May 1 to September 30.

Park rules and regulations also restrict pets from areas such as surfboarding and sailboarding beaches and shorebird nesting areas.

To access beaches open to pets, use the pedestrian crossings located at designated parking areas. Pets are not permitted on bathhouse boardwalks.

At Gordons Pond and Fenwick Island, access is limited to the pedestrian dune crossing at the northern end of the parking lot. Boundary markers for areas open or closed to pets will typically be designated by signs posted at the seaward toe of the dune. The signs will be located at the extreme boundaries of the closed areas, unless affected by adverse tidal conditions.

Oregon

Cannon Beach

"Cannon Beach is one of the best places to be if you happen to be a canine. As long as you stay within sight of your human and come back when called, you are free to play on the beach off leash, provided you are well behaved and don’t harass other people, wildlife or other dogs."

South Carolina

Myrtle Beach

Pet Policy: The City of Myrtle Beach

From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach only before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. From the day after Labor Day to April 30 each year, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day. (Note: At all times, dogs must be on a leash seven feet or shorter, and you must pick up and properly dispose of droppings.)

Dogs are allowed on the Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade only between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. From the day after Labor Day through April 30 each year, dogs are allowed on the boardwalk at any time. (Note: At all times, dogs must be on a leash seven feet or shorter, and you must pick up and properly dispose of droppings.)

Pet Policy:  The City of North Myrtle Beach

In North Myrtle Beach from May 15 to September 15: No dogs allowed on the beach 9 am - 5 pm. Surf only in designated areas 9 am - 4 pm. The leash law is in effect at all times; the maximum leash length is 7 feet. Pet owners must pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.

The reason why pet owners should pay attention to these is that these rules prevalent at North Myrtle Beach function as state laws, which means that there may be certain repercussions that one may have to encounter if these are not followed.

It is important to note that there are certain parts of North Myrtle Beach that restrict entry for pets. Even though these are small stretches of the beach, trespassing onto them can result in disciplinary action being taken.

To make up for the restricted spaces, North Myrtle Beach does offer pet owners a good alternative. The North Myrtle Beach Park And Sports Complex have a special dog play area that has been specially designed for dogs. This is a good space to go to if you want your dog to have a good time. Learn more about the North Myrtle Beach dog rules here.

Pawleys Island and Georgetown County

On Pawleys Island and Georgetown County beaches, pets are allowed year-round, but they must be on a leash between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., they can be off-leash if they are trained for voice command.

North Carolina

Duck

Looking for recommendations please!

If you've been somewhere dog-friendly you'd like to share with other dog lovers, please do!

Could be a Beach, Campsite / Campground, Hiking Trail, Accommodation....