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Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Southern California in 2024

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Dogster Team

dog lying in the beach with sunglasses

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Southern California in 2024

If sun, sand, and surf sound like your idea of a good time, Southern California is the place to be! Whether you’re a resident or just passing through, you can easily find a gorgeous beach to spend the day. The good news for dog lovers is that many of these beautiful beaches also welcome pups for both on and off-leash play. Here are the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Southern California.

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The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in SoCal

1. Ocean Beach

Address: Dog Beach, San Diego, CA 92107
Open Times: 24 hours
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes
  • One of the first dog beaches in America
  • Parking lots get crowded quickly
  • Showers, restrooms, trash cans, and picnic spots are available
  • Quick walk to breweries and restaurants

2. Coronado Dog Beach

Address: 100 Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118
Open Times: 6:30 am–9 pm
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes
  • Neighborhood street parking only
  • Long walk to get to the beach
  • Located next to a Naval Air Station
  • A dog foot wash station is available
  • A local favorite

3. Fiesta Island

Address:  1750 Fiesta Island Rd, San Diego, CA 92109
Open Times: 4 am–10 pm
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in certain areas
  • Island park features a walking path and a fenced dog area with beach access
  • Watch out for horses and manure
  • Fire rings available
  • No permanent restrooms

4.  Del Mar Dog Beach

Address:   3902 29th St, Del Mar, CA 92014
Open Times: 24 hours
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: On the Main and North Beach, with seasonal and hourly restrictions
  • Visible license is required for all dogs
  • Follow signs carefully, dogs are prohibited on one stretch of beach in the area
  • No leashes longer than 6 feet are allowed
  • Portable restrooms only

5. Huntington Dog Beach

Address: 100 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Open Times: 5 am–10 pm
Cost: $2/hour parking
Off-Leash: Yes
  • Dogs must be on a leash until reaching the beach
  • Water fountains, picnic area, waste bags, and restrooms are available
  • Well-maintained by a dedicated non-profit group
  • Busy highway nearby
  • Remove all used waste bags or risk a ticket

6. Rosie’s Dog Beach

Address: 5000 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
Open Times: 6 am–8 pm
Cost: Free, with some metered parking
Off-Leash: Yes
  • The only dog beach in L.A. County
  • The free parking lot fills up quickly
  • Keep dogs on leashes while walking to the beach
  • Restrooms, trash cans, and limited waste bags are available
  • Beach may close due to weather conditions or special events

7. Leo Carillo State Beach

Address: 35000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Open Times: 8 am–10 pm
Cost: $12/day parking fee
Off-Leash: No
  • Great place to camp with your dog
  • Follow the posted signs—dogs aren’t allowed everywhere in the park
  • On-leash dogs only
  • Restrooms, showers, and a camp store on-site
  • Gorgeous scenery

8. Arroyo Burro Beach

Address: 2981 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Open Times: 8 am–sunset
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas only
  • Known locally as Hendry’s Beach
  • Follow signs carefully to find the off-leash area
  • Located in gorgeous Santa Barbara
  • Dog wash station, restrooms, and picnic spots are available

9. Surfer’s Point at Seaside Park

Address: Shoreline Dr, Ventura, CA 93001
Open Times: 5 am–6 pm
Cost: $4 parking fee
Off-Leash: No
  • You’ll share the beach with surfers and windsurfers
  • No off-leash dogs are allowed
  • Restrooms, showers, and picnic areas are available
  • Walk to the Ventura Pier

10. Carmel Beach

Address: Ocean and Scenic Ave, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Open Times: 24 hours
Cost: some parking may be metered
Off-Leash: Yes, dogs must be under voice control
  • Located in one of the most dog-friendly towns in the country
  • Stay on the marked paths when walking down to the beach
  • Dog waste bags are provided
  • Surfers and swimmers also share the space

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Conclusion

However you and your dog are enjoying one of these 10 Southern California beaches, be sure to be respectful of others who are sharing the space. Not everyone loves being approached by dogs, so always maintain voice or leash control of your pup. Pack water, snacks, doggy sunscreen, and extra poop bags just to be safe before heading to the beach. Remember that dogs can become overheated quickly so stay aware of the weather and give your pup plenty of breaks in the shade as needed.

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Featured Image Credit: Ivonne Wierink, Shutterstock

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