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Dog-Friendly Activities in California

Don’t leave Fido in the hotel room when you’re on vacation. Get out and play! No matter where you’re headed in California, we can point you towards the nearest off-leash dog park, the most popular dog beach, a really great hiking trail, and lots of other places to play with Fido.

Pet Friendly Mad Dogs & Englishmen Carmel

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Carmel

Mad Dogs & Englishmen Carmel

Mad Dogs & Englishmen is a unique, dog-friendly bike shop located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It specializes in high end bicycles and dog accessories "for biking with your best friend." Electric bikes can be rented for the day that include pup-friendly sidecars and trailers.

Pet Friendly Fiesta Island Park

Fiesta Island Park

Fiesta Island Park

Most of Fiesta Island Park, a large sandy island in San Diego, CA is designated leash-free for dogs. It has lots of sandy dunes to romp in, and the calm bay waters allow the more adventurous dogs to take a quick dip. There's a designated off-leash location on the backside of the island. Bring water for your dogs.

Rosie's Dog Beach

Rosie's Dog Beach

Take Fido for a splash at the pet-friendly Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, CA! While not a fully fenced or officially designated dog beach, dogs are welcome to enjoy the sand and surf during the daily Dog Zone hours from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Be sure to keep your pup leashed on the way in, but once inside the designated area, they’re free to roam and play off-leash. For full guidelines and rules, check out their website.

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado's Dog Beach is a dog-friendly, leash-free area on the western part of the shore in Coronado, CA. Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, but it can be a rather long walk to the beach, so be sure to keep your pup leashed until you reach the sand, as there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for unleashed dogs. Owners are asked to monitor their dogs at all times, clean up any messes and ensure that Fido has all current licenses before visiting. Make sure to bring a camera and snap some photos of Fido with the stunning scenery! The Point Loma headland and iconic Hotel del Coronado are visible from the shore.

The Original Dog Beach

The Original Dog Beach

Perhaps the most popular canine hotspot in San Diego, CA is The Original Dog Beach located at the northern end of Ocean Beach. Here, dogs can roam off-leash at any time of the day. Owners should take care to pick up after their pets. After a day at the beach, you may want to head over to the Dog Beach Dog Wash to give Fido a bath.

Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington Beach, CA

Huntington Dog Beach

Huntington Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA is considered a dog-friendly heaven by most visitors. Dogs come from all over the world to play in the sand and splash in the surf. Visitors are asked to abide by good doggy etiquette which includes properly disposing of pet waste and ensuring that your dog is non-aggressive and under control at all times. Dog Beach amenities include public restrooms, grassy area with picnic tables, and drinking fountains for dogs and humans.

Roaring Camp Railroads

Roaring Camp Railroads

Roaring Camp Railroads offers dog-friendly train rides in Felton, CA, through the California Redwoods. Located just a few miles from Santa Cruz, you and Fido can climb aboard an authentic 19th century steam train for a trip through the magnificent redwood forest. As you travel along the historic, winding narrow-gauge track to the summit of Bear Mountain, the conductor will entertain you with the history of the railroad and its locomotives, which were once used to haul giant redwood logs out of the forest. Tours are offered daily and departure times vary by season.

Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach in California is a beautiful beach with the happiest dogs on the planet! You'll see every shape, size, and age, running in the dog-friendly sugar sand and splashing in the aquamarine surf. Public restrooms and a public telephone are available at the Ocean Avenue end of Carmel Beach.

Ocean Beach

San Francisco, CA

Ocean Beach in San Francisco, CA is pet friendly. From the north end to stairwell 21, dogs are allowed on-leash or voice control. From stairwell 21 to Sloat Boulevard, dogs are required to be on-leash all year except from May 15th to July 1st when dogs can be under voice control. Dog owners are reminded to clean up after their pups and to keep an eye on them while playing in the sand.

Seaport Village

Seaport Village

Seaport Village in San Diego, CA, is a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex recreating a harborside setting of a century ago. This vast property includes one-of-a-kind shops, casual dining eateries, and fine dining waterfront restaurants. If you need a bite to eat, there are numerous pet-friendly restaurants with harbor views! There's also a large park with lots of grass and room for dogs to run if Fido needs to stretch his legs.

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Dog-friendly Garland Ranch Regional Park is a gorgeous park in Carmel, CA, with the Carmel River running through it. Dogs are allowed off-leash in certain areas, including in the river and on selected trails (not the horse trails). Atop the northern crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the trails encounter open oak savannas and spectacular vistas. Along the way, you will travel through maple-filled canyons, dense oak woodlands, and thick stands of chaparral. There are trails for nearly all abilities, from beginner to advanced hiker. Trail maps can be found at the park's visitor center. The park is open dawn until dusk.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch

Monterey Bay Whale Watch

Share a one-of-a-kind whale watching experience with your canine companion aboard one of the dog-friendly Monterey Bay Whale Watch boats. Open year-round, this tour company has the area's highest success rate for whale and dolphin sightings. Piloted by captains with over 20 years of experience, each boat trip is led by knowledgeable and experienced marine biologists. Sightings are dependent on the season but include Gray, Humpback, Killer and Blue Whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea otters, seals, and sea lions.

Trees of Mystery and SkyTrail

Trees of Mystery and SkyTrail

Trees of Mystery in Klamath, CA, is a fun, dog-friendly tourist stop with a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue, gift shop, Native American Museum, and trails through the redwoods with redwood "oddities and examples of growing patterns." They also have a SkyTrail - a sky tram that takes you and Fido up through the redwoods to a lookout with views of the ocean from the top. Dogs are welcome in all areas except for The Redwood Canopy Trail. Please note that there is an admission fee to enjoy the park.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Leashed dogs are welcome to join you at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria, CA, a beautiful 440-acre sanctuary featuring remarkable biological diversity and home to 150 different native plants and 430 species of birds. Accessed by miles of dog-friendly trails, visitors can admire expansive coastal views along a scenic forested ridge. A popular trail for hikers and their leashed companions is Ridge, Bluff, Arch and Dolphin Trail.

Donner Memorial State Park

Donner Memorial State Park

Donner Memorial State Park is one of the most pet-friendly state parks in California. Located in Sierra Nevada in Truckee, CA, you and Fido will discover camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking at this state park. Although pets aren't allowed on all of the trails, like most state parks in California, they are permitted to join you in the water, on paved roads, and in camping and picnic areas. Keep an eye out for the dog entrance signs for an easy access to the lake for you and Fido. Dogs are allowed on the Lakeside Interpretive Trail, Zig Zag Trail, fire roads, and along the shore of Donner Lake except for China Cove Beach. Dogs are not allowed in the visitor center, on the half-mile Nature Trail, or China Cove Beach, nor can they be on designated ski trails when snow is present.

OstrichLand USA

OstrichLand USA

OstrichLand USA is a pet-friendly attraction in Solvang, CA. This popular destination is a great first stop when you’re headed to the quaint Danish themed town of Solvang, the Chumash Casino, or Santa Ynez Valley wineries. You and your leashed dog can hang out with 50 ostriches and emus, feed them from a bowl, and watch them go about their days. The ostriches actually feature in the cult classic movie, Sideways. Check out the gift shop before you leave, too.

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

You'll love exploring this gorgeous botanical garden, and you're welcome to bring your pet along as long as they remain on-leash.

Truckee River Rafting

Truckee River Rafting

Truckee River Rafting in Tahoe City, CA, offers dog-friendly, self-guided rafting trips along a peaceful 5-mile stretch of the Truckee River for you and your pup. The scenic rafting trips are appropriate for nearly all ages and athletic abilities. The rafting trip takes 2-4 hours to complete. You are welcome to bring a small cooler with snacks and beverages to enjoy on your trip. Leashed dogs up to 50 lbs are permitted.

Fun Zone Boat Company

Newport Beach, CA

Fun Zone Boat Company

Your pup is welcome to join for a dog-friendly tour of Newport Beach, CA, from the water on a Fun Zone Boat Company harbor cruise. Watch the sea lions frolic and enjoy sights of celebrity homes as you cruise on the 45-minute or 90-minute harbor tours. Just leash up your dog and make sure he's comfortable on the water, and you both will have an unforgettable time.

Olde Port Beach

San Luis Obispo, CA

Olde Port Beach

Olde Port Beach is a dog-friendly beach in San Luis Obispo, CA. This popular spot is the first beach you will find after crossing the bridge out of Avila and into Port San Luis. It welcomes dogs to play off leash. This stretch of sand is enclosed on each end by a cliff, so pups can’t get too far. It has parking along the road and a ramp down to the sand along with one pet waste station. The beach is accessible all the time, but lifeguards are seasonal.

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