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Home > Dogs > Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, CA (with Pictures)

Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, CA (with Pictures)

By Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture Nicole Cosgrove
Last updated:
dog sitting on the beach

San Clemente, CA is a beach destination ideal for all types of travelers. The sun, sand and surf make it an enjoyable place to spend the day or weekend with family or friends. What’s even better is that San Clemente and the area surrounding it has some of the best dog-friendly beaches in California! Here are our top 10 picks from dog-friendly beaches in and near San Clemente, California

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The Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, California

1. San Clemente State Beach

🗺️ Address: 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672
🕐 Open Times: 8 am – 5 pm
💲 Cost: $15 per car
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
  • Beautiful views of the San Clemente Pier and surrounding coastline
  • The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
  • Cabanas are available for rent
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

2. Cress Street Beach

🗺️ Address: 616 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672
🕐 Open Times: 7 am – 9 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • The waves are great for surfing or boogie boarding
  • It has a small grass area perfect for picnicking
  • The beach is lined with palms trees and other coastal vegetation
  • A few beach chairs are dotted along the sand
  • No dogs allowed on beach 9am to 6pm June 15 to Sept 10
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

3. San Onofre State Beach

🗺️ Address: 28200 Pacific Coast Hwy, San Clemente, CA 92672
🕐 Open Times: 8 am – 5 pm
💲 Cost: $15 per car
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
  • The beaches that are dog-friendly include Beach 1 and Beach 6
  • Beautiful views of the San Onofre Bluffs and surrounding coastline
  • The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
  • Camping is available in designated areas of this state park
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

4. Capistrano Beach

🗺️ Address: Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, CA 92624
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 8 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • 10-minute drive from San Clemente
  • From June 15 to Sept. 10 dogs are not permitted on the beach between 9 am and 6 pm
  • There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent
  • The beach has a concession stand with snacks and drinks
  • Some areas are occasionally closed due to climate damage or erosion
  • Dogs must remain on a leash and owners must clean up after their pet

5. Doheny State Beach

🗺️ Address: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: $15 per car
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • 15-minute drive from San Clemente
  • Beautiful views of the harbor and marina
  • Several areas are designated for surfing, fishing, and swimming
  • The boardwalk is great for taking a leisurely stroll with your pup
  • A concession stand is located near the entrance of the beach so you can grab snacks on the go
  • Amenities include restrooms, showers, and BBQ grills
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

6. Aliso Beach Park

🗺️ Address: 31131 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • 20-minute drive from San Clemente
  • Dogs are not permitted on the beaches between 9 am and 6 pm from June 15 to Sept. 10
  • This beach is packed with amenities such as restrooms, showers, BBQ pits and picnic tables
  • The beach offers beautiful views of the ocean and is great for swimming or building sandcastles
  • Several areas are designated for surfing, fishing, and body boarding
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

7. Huntington Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: Huntington Beach, 20211, Huntington Beach Bike Trail, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes – dogs allowed off-leash in designated areas only.

Dog Regulations: Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas and owners must clean up after their pet.

  • 45-minute drive from San Clemente
  • One of the only off-leash dog beaches in the area
  • This is an ideal beach for pups to play off-leash with other dogs
  • Beautiful views of the Huntington Beach pier and surrounding coastline
  • Concession stands are available for snacks on the go

8. San Elijo State Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjmA9A2p8ks/

🗺️ Address: 2056 Highway 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
  • 45-minute drive from San Clemente
  • This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
  • Beautiful views of the nearby surf spots and cliffs
  • The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
  • Several areas are designated for camping in the sand dunes
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet.

9. Coronado Dog Beach

🗺️ Address: Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes – dogs allowed off-leash in designated areas only.
  • 1 hour 15-minute drive from San Clemente
  • Great off-leash beach and dog park
  • This beach is great for swimming or playing with your pup
  • The sand is soft and perfect for lounging on a sunny day
  • Beautiful views of the Coronado Bay and San Diego skyline
  • Several areas are designated for picnicking, fishing, and surfing
  • A concession stand is available for snacks
  • Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas and owners must clean up after their pet

10. Dog Beach San Diego

🗺️ Address: 4500 Ocean Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109
🕐 Open Times: 6 am – 10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes – dogs allowed off leash in designated areas only.
  • 1 hour 15-minute drive from San Clemente
  • Great off-leash dog beach
  • The sand is soft and perfect for laying out on a sunny day
  • Beautiful views of the San Diego skyline and surrounding coastline
  • A concession stand is available for snacks
  • A nearby parking lot makes it easy to access from the main road
  • Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas and owners must clean up after their pet

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Conclusion

There are a plethora of dog-friendly beaches in and near San Clemente, California for you and your pup to enjoy! Whether you’re looking for an off-leash beach or just somewhere to walk, there’s something out there that’s perfect for both of you. From San Onofre Bluffs to Cardiff State Beach and everything in between, explore the beauty that these diverse beaches have to offer and make some fur-tastic memories with your canine best friend! Happy exploring!

See also: Top 9 Dog-Friendly Beaches in & Near Santa Cruz, CA

Featured Image Crerdit: Olesya Kuprina, Shutterstock

Written by

Nicole Cosgrove

Lead Pet Expert & Pet-ditor in Chief

Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more

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