If there’s one thing that Los Angeles is particularly well-known for, it would have to be the county’s beautiful beaches.
From sunbathing and making sandcastles to splashing in the water, you’ll always find a perfect spot to relax with the whole family — including your belovevd pup!
However, dog-friendly beaches are surprisingly hard to come by in LA, so it’s important to know where you can bring your pooch.
To help you choose, we’ve gathered a list of the seven best dog-friendly beaches in and around Los Angeles, California. With these places in mind, you’ll have an easier time planning your day under the sun!
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Tips for taking your dog to the beach
- The best dog-friendly beaches in and around LA
- The different features that make these beaches special.
Let’s dive right in!
Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach in Los Angeles, CA
Bring a Leash
Some beaches on this list may allow your dog to explore the place off-leash, but no matter how well-trained your dog is, it’s important to always bring a leash with you. This will ensure the safety of your dog and other visitors on the beach.
Even if your dog is allowed to roam on its own, it’s best to take things slow and keep your pup near if you’re unsure about how it will behave.
This also applies if your dog doesn’t have a good recall or if it’s still getting used to socializing with other animals or people.
Some on-leash beaches have rules regarding how long your leash can be (usually around six feet), so keep that in mind when choosing what equipment to bring along.
Make Sure Your Dog is Hydrated
Dogs get thirsty too! Running around a beach under the hot sun is plenty of fun, but it’s vital to keep them hydrated throughout.
Remember to bring a water bowl with you, and always watch out for the possibility of your dog slurping a bit of seawater.
We recommend that you bring a collapsible water bowl as they’re compact, light, and easy to carry, though a regular water dish (or any wide bowl) will do just fine!
Most beaches will have taps where you can fill the bowls, but it’s a good idea to bring a bottle of water from home just in case. Don’t forget to bring some for yourself too!
Pack Poop Bags
Nothing’s more frustrating than dog owners who turn a blind eye to their dog’s poop. After all, it doesn’t take that much effort to pick it up and throw it away hygienically!
For your dog’s toileting needs, make sure to bring along a couple of old plastic bags or a roll of doggy poop bags. This way, you’ll do your part in keeping the beach clean and looking pristine.
Most dog-friendly beaches will have designated bins to throw away your poop bags as well, making it super simple to dispose of your dog’s waste properly.
Watch Out for Signs of Aggression in Dogs
Always keep an eye on your dog, especially if it’s going off-leash.
You may know its temperament, but you can’t always read its mind – especially if it’s in an unfamiliar spot with other beachgoers and canines.
If your dog is playing with or showing interest in other pets at the beach, make sure to be aware of the other pooch’s behavior as well. Be ready to intervene at any time!
Rosie’s Dog Beach
Address: 5000 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90803
Located in Long Beach, this four-acre-long stretch of beach is very popular with LA dog owners as it’s one of the few in LA County that allows dogs to roam off-leash.
Open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Rosie’s is perfect for a day out under the sun. With its location behind the breakwater, this beach also has a relatively calm surf – making it perfect for dogs (and little ones) that love to splash around in the water.
Because of its popularity, the beach is often fairly busy, especially during the weekends. If you want to avoid the crowd, head there on the weekdays when it’s much quieter.
However, if you’re specifically looking for a place to socialize your pup with other dogs and to meet fellow dog lovers, this beach is ideal for you!
Rosie’s Dog Beach extends out to Granada Dog Beach, giving you plenty of open space to explore with your pup.
The wide stretch of the coast is also near plenty of metered parking spots, so you won’t have to look too hard for a nearby place to park if you’re driving there.
Del Mar Dog Beach
Address: 3902 29th St, Del Mar, CA 92014
With its beautiful stretch of sand, calm surf, and impressive seaside cliffs, Del Mar Dog Beach is a great place to visit!
The beach is located in San Diego, which is a bit of a drive out. However, if you’re looking for a fun day trip or a short weekend getaway with your furry friend, this beautiful seaside spot should be at the top of your bucket list.
Del Mar is actually made up of three dog-friendly beaches along the coast: South Beach, Main Beach, and North Beach.
These different sections have variable dog regulations that change depending on the time of the year, so it’s best to keep them in mind when you’re planning to visit.
For instance, South Beach is open for dogs all throughout the year but requires them to be kept on leashes at all times. Meanwhile, Main Beach prohibits dogs during the peak season and necessitates that dogs must be leashed during the off-season.
If you’re headed to North Beach, dogs must be leashed during the peak season. However, you can freely let your pup wander during the off-season.
For something to tug on your heartstrings a bit, visit the Dog Beach Memorial at the entrance.
This garden is filled with all sorts of beautiful plants and mementos dedicated to dogs who have passed—a great spot to pause and reflect on the special furry friends that have touched your life.
Leo Carrillo State Beach
Address: 35000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265-2376
Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu offers scenic views, things to do, and places to explore with your dog.
Whether you’re interested in surfing and going for a dip at North Beach or lying down on the soft sand to work on your tan, this stunning beach is the perfect spot to appreciate the sunny California weather!
At low tide, you can take your pup on a walk and explore the tide pools, rock formations, and sea caves that the beach has to offer.
If you’re interested in camping with your pooch, Leo Carrillo also has a campground by the beach – perfect for a short getaway from the city.
Dogs are allowed in all areas of the park other than the hiking trails and South Beach (just stay North of Lifeguard Tower 3), so there’s plenty to do with your furry friend. Just be sure to keep them on a leash, as this beach has a strict on-leash policy!
There are plenty of paid parking spots at this site with rates ranging from $3 an hour to $12 a day. Because of this, it’s an easy place to drive to despite its being on the edge of LA County.
Huntington Dog Beach
Address: 100 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA, US, 92648
Although it’s located in Orange County (slightly outside of LA), Huntington Dog Beach is still one of the best in SoCal. It’s extremely popular with dog owners from LA who don’t mind traveling a bit further out from the city.
Open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, Huntington Dog Beach allows your dog to enjoy the sand and water off-leash. Just make sure to remove the leash only when you’ve hit the beach sand, as per the rules.
Cliffs keep the space enclosed so your pup can’t run out of sight or onto the nearby road. Just make sure to always keep an eye on your pup, especially when it’s running free!
All that’s left is to have fun! Here, you can play fetch, take a dip in the water, and even have picnics on the beach’s provided tables and benches.
While we encourage you to bring your own poop bags, there are doggy bag dispensers available around the beach if you ever need them. This speaks volumes about the beach’s desire to keep the space dog-friendly and clean.
It’s also a great place to get to know other dogs and dog owners, especially during special events like the iconic Corgi Beach Day.
As for getting there, the beach is situated down Pacific Coast Highway. Parking costs $2 an hour, but you can also purchase an annual parking permit if you decide to head to the beach regularly.
Point Fermin Park Beach
Address: 807 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
Located at the southernmost point of LA County, Point Fermin Park is a popular spot to walk dogs and appreciate some seaside tranquility.
The beach itself is rocky and dogs aren’t allowed down there; you can only bring your leashed pup to the park.
Despite not having doggy access to the beach, Point Fermin Park is still a great place to visit because of its gorgeous and relaxing sea views.
As you stroll across the grass, you’ll witness picture-perfect views of the Point Fermin Lighthouse, a beautiful Victorian building overlooking the ocean, and Santa Catalina Island in the distance.
It’s also the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with the whole family thanks to its seating area, barbecue facilities, and children’s playground. With all the green space around, you can even fly a kite on windier days!
From Point Fermin Park, you’ll also have walking access to other nearby dog-friendly spots such as Angels Gate Park, where the Korean Friendship Bell is found, and Joan Milke Flores Park.
Coronado Dog Beach
Address: Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118
Another spot just out of LA County in San Diego, Coronado Dog Beach is a scenic stretch of coastline where your furry friend can enjoy exploring off-leash.
Just make sure that your dog is kept safely on their leash until you get to the beach itself!
Once there, you can enjoy almost cinematic views of the Pacific Ocean as your feet sink into the fine warm sand (which literally sparkles thanks to specks of naturally occurring mica).
If you look around, you’ll also see the Hotel del Coronado, a gorgeous historic beach resort that stands out in the scenery with its red roof and 757 guest rooms.
The Del – as the hotel is also commonly known – is dog-friendly too. If you’re looking to spend an overnight stay in the area, why not treat yourself (and your pooch) here?
As for doggy facilities, the beach has poop bags available if you happen to run out. When you’re all done for the day, Coronado Dog Beach even has a dedicated dog washing station to ensure that your pup is clean and ready to head home!
Miramar Park
Address: 201 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Overlooking Torrance Beach sits Miramar Park, a serene greenspace that’s perfect for a peaceful stroll while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
While your dog won’t be allowed on the sand itself, Miramar Park is still a wonderful place to exercise your pup as it provides a quiet spot with stunning ocean views.
As you explore the area, take the time to admire interesting sculptures such as a dolphin and frog admiring the ocean.
There’s even a “Fido Fountain”, a water fountain specially designed for your furry friends!
With many benches overlooking the waters, you’ll be close enough to smell the sea breeze while you appreciate the quieter moments. Miramar Park is also an excellent place to just take in the sights of the landscape and watch people going about their day.
This picturesque spot is especially perfect for watching the sun go down with your pup by your side after a long day out!
Key Takeaways
While there aren’t many dog-friendly beaches within Los Angeles itself, there are still plenty of options to explore in and around LA County.
So get ready, strap your pup in, slap on some sunscreen, and head out on your beach day under the SoCal sun!
Wherever you decide to visit, always be fully aware of the beach’s rules regarding your furry friend and make sure that you remain considerate of others.
Keep your dog under control at all times and clean up after yourself and your pup. Most importantly, remember to have fun!