Living in Bodega Bay, CA, is fantastic, especially when you have a dog in the family. The California coast is impressive to see and explore with a canine companion. Of course, not all beaches allow dogs, and Bodega Bay is no different. To help you decide where to go with your dog when a day at the beach is what you’re dreaming about, we have the top seven dog-friendly beaches in Bodega bay below.
The 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Bodega Bay, CA
1. Dillon Beach
| ️ Address: | 60 Beach Ave, Dillon Beach, CA 94929 |
| Open Times: | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday to Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday to Saturday |
| Cost: | Parking = $10 (weekdays) and $20 (weekends) |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- A beautiful but small beach that gets smaller as the tide comes in
- Sunsets on this beach are incredible
- Weekends are crowded
- Conflicting reports about whether the beach is off-leash or not
- Bring waste bags and water
- A possible safety risk is a small lagoon that has standing water
2. Doran Regional Park
| ️ Address: | 201 Doran Beach Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 |
| Open Times: | 24 hours |
| Cost: | Possible parking fee |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, a small area |
- Large beach where dogs can be on their leash and a small but rocky area for off-leash play
- Off-leash area is covered at high tide so check the local tide charts before you go
- Significantly larger at low tide with more space for dogs and humans
- Very little shade anywhere on the beach
- Popular and pretty beach
- Bring waste bags and water
3. Kehoe Beach
| ️ Address: | 1391 Pierce Point Rd, Inverness, CA 94937 |
| Open Times: | 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Although beautiful, Kehoe Beach is on-leash only
- From March 1 through September 30, dogs aren’t allowed south of the trail
- The walk from the parking lot is about ½ mile
- During the week, this beach is one of the quietest and most peaceful in the area
- Doesn’t provide waste bags or water
- Tide doesn’t affect the size of Kehoe Beach as much as other local beaches
4. Limantour Beach
| ️ Address: | Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 |
| Open Times: | 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM |
| Cost: | Free (possible parking fee) |
| Off-Leash: | No (Protected animals) |
- Walk from the parking to the beach takes about 20 minutes over rough terrain
- Usually tranquil and perfect for water dogs
- Be aware that, from October through May, the water temp is frigid
- Like most, this beach doesn’t provide waste bags or water
5. Monte Rio Public Beach
| ️ Address: | 20488 CA-116, Monte Rio, CA 95462 |
| Open Times: | 24 hours |
| Cost: | Free (possible parking fee) |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, in a small area |
- Small beach with an even smaller off-leash area
- Off-leash park is on the western side of the small bridge
- Beach is on the Russian River and has fresh water
- If your dog likes to chase birds, be aware that mallard ducks fly all over the area
- Waste bags are sometimes provided but bring your own
6. Point Reyes Beach (AKA Great Beach)
| ️ Address: | Point Reyes Beach South Rd, Inverness, CA, US, 94937 |
| Open Times: | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Cost: | Free (possible parking fee) |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- If your dog loves to play in the ocean, this will be their favorite beach
- North of the north beach entrance: dogs aren’t permitted
- Gets significantly smaller at high tide
- Coastline is protected here and very peaceful
- Doesn’t provide water or waste bags
7. Sonoma Coast State Park
| ️ Address: | 3095 CA-1, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 |
| Open Times: | Dawn until 1 hour after sunset |
| Cost: | Possible $7 parking fee |
| Off-Leash: | Possibly |
- State Park offers a collection of long, gorgeous beaches
- There are six beaches in the Park that are dog-friendly beaches, including Blind Beach, Wright’s Beach, Shell Beach, Gleason Beach, Carmet Beach, and Goat Rock Beach
- Look for Blind Beach, where it’s reported that off-leash play is well tolerated
- Includes a campground, Bodega Dunes, where dogs are allowed to stay
Final Thoughts
Bodega Bay is a gorgeous location on the coast of California with some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Now you know which of these beaches will let you visit with your furry friends and have a day of fun in the sun! As mentioned, remember to bring poop bags and water so that your dog doesn’t get too thirsty and doesn’t leave behind a stinky mess. Other than that, we wish you and all your canine companions a fantastic time on the seven dog-friendly beaches in Bodega Bay, California!
Featured Image Credit: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock
The 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Bodega Bay, CA
