Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Southern California in 2026
If sun, sand, and surf sound like your idea of a good time, Southern California is the place to be! Whether you are 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 on and off-leash play. Here are the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Southern California.
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 |
- A 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
- The 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 are not 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 stations, 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
Conclusion
Whenever 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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Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
