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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 Rosie's Dog Beach

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.

Pet Friendly The Original Dog Beach

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.

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 in Monterey, CA. 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.

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.

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.

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado Dog Beach

The Coronado 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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Take in the beauty of the pet-friendly Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg, CA, where your leashed dog is welcome to join you. Savor the breathtaking botanical bliss of formal gardens, coastal bluffs, pine forests and fern-covered canyons. The mild coastal climate ensures that something is always in bloom. Rhododendrons, magnolias, heritage roses, lilies, and succulents are just some of the flora you will see as you wander along the trails with Fido. Please note that dogs are not permitted during certain events, including Festival of Lights, and checking event dates and guidelines is recommended prior to bringing your pup.

Next Level Sailing Whale Watching

Next Level Sailing Whale Watching

Watch the magnificent marine mammals with your pup on Next Level Sailing Whale Watching in San Diego, CA. They offer private pet-friendly charters and public individual opportunities to sail on the historic 139-foot schooner America, the magnificent replica of the famous vessel. Upon booking your ticket through their website, a button will appear to select the number of dogs joining you. Please note they limit the number of four-legged members per trip.

Aqua Adventures

Aqua Adventures

Aqua Adventures is a dog-friendly tour and rental company in San Diego, CA. Take your pup kayaking or on an SUP on Mission Bay in San Diego. Stop for a run on Fiesta Island and bring a picnic to make a fun beach day for the whole family! Lily and Juanita will give your pooch some tips and show you how it's done.

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Garland Ranch Regional Park

The 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'll 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.

Balboa Park

Leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the pet-friendly Balboa Park in San Diego, CA. This park is one of the largest urban parks in the country with over 1,200 acres. There are plenty of open spaces, gardens, and walking paths to explore. The park also has two designated off-leash areas for dogs at Balboa Drive at El Prado on the south side of Cabrillo Bridge, and Morley Field located northwest of the tennis courts. When not in a designated off-leash area, dogs must be leashed at all times, and humans must clean up after their dogs throughout the park and off-leash areas.

Trees of Mystery and SkyTrail

Trees of Mystery and SkyTrail

Trees of Mystery in Klamath, CA, is a fun, dog-friendly attraction 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. Admission fees apply.

SUP Pups

SUP Pups in San Diego, CA, offers you and Fido the ultimate dog-friendly adventure. You and your dog can learn the basics and techniques of stand-up paddleboarding together with a certified instructor. Private lessons are one hour and include board rental, plus doggie and human life jackets.

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.

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