Most dogs love beaches (some do not) and the experience is a joy for pet owners to share with their beloved best friends. When Santa Monica tried to get a dog beach during the past several years, the state beaches operating in Santa Monica nixed the idea. If a city controls its sandy shores, it can make rules to permit pets, however. If you're heading with your dog to the beach, you owe it to your pet and yourself to check first before going.
California State Beaches that allow dogs on the sand:
Central Coast --
Oceano Dunes on leash, campsites at
Montana de Oro and San Simeon State Park
campgrounds
Los Angeles --
Thornhill Broome Beach at Pt. Mugu and
one marked area of Leo Carillo State
Beach
Mendocino -- Leashed
dogs are permitted in traditional
campgrounds and in other designated
areas.
Monterey--
Leashed dogs at Monterey State Beach
from Wharf #2 to Seaside SB, Asilomar
SB, Garrapata beach at Garrapata State
Park, Carmel River SB, and paved or
developed areas of Monterey District
state beaches and parks.
North Coast Redwoods--
Gold Bluffs Beach
Russian River--
Dogs are allowed except on coastal
trails and at Goat Rock
San Diego Coast County--
San Onofre State Beach
Santa Cruz -- Leashed
dogs are permitted at Rio del Mar and
Seacliff State Beach
Ventura--
Leashed dogs at Seaside Wilderness
Beach, Harbor Cove, Promenade park and
Marina Park Beach
Los
Angeles District 818-880-0350
Dogs are permitted at Thornhill Broome
Beach (at Pt. Mugu) and in one marked
area of Leo Carillo State Beach.
North Bay Area District (707) 865-2391
Channel Coast District 805-585-1850
Dogs are not permitted on Channel Coast
District State Beaches. City of Ventura
has some areas (Seaside Wilderness
Beach, Harbor Cove, Promenade park and
Marina Park Beach) where leashed dogs
are allowed.
Monterey District 831-649-2836
Leashed dogs ARE allowed on Monterey
State Beach from Wharf #2 to Seaside SB,
Asilomar SB, Garrapata beach at
Garrapata State Park, Carmel River SB,
and paved or developed areas of Monterey
District state beaches and parks. Dogs
are NOT allowed on Zmudowski SB, Moss
Landing SB, Marina SB, Salinas River SB,
Seaside SB, Andrew Molera SP, and Point
Lobos State Reserve, because these areas
are nesting sites for the federally
listed threatened Western Snowy Plover.
North Coast Redwoods District
707-445-6547
Dogs are permitted at Gold Bluffs Beach
ONLY (in designated areas).
Orange Coast District 949-492-0802
Dogs are allowed on beach bike paths
only. Some city beaches and
unincorporated county areas allow dogs –
check with them for rules.
Oceano Dunes 805-473-7230
Dogs are permitted on beach, but must be
leashed.
Russian River 707-865-2391
Dogs are permitted except on coastal
trails and at Goat Rock.
Russian River District Dog Guidelines
San Diego Coast District
Dogs are not permitted within this park
district.
(*Exception is San Onofre State Beach
which is under Orange Coast District
administration.)
San Luis Obispo Coast District
805-927-2074 (Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30
pm)
Dogs are not permitted on beach or
trails, except at campsites at Montana
de Oro and San Simeon State Park
campgrounds.
Santa Cruz District 831-429-2850
Leashed dogs are permitted at Rio del
Mar and Seacliff State Beach.
Mendocino District 707-937-5804
Leashed dogs are permitted in
traditional campgrounds and in other
designated areas. Contact the District
Office for more information!