Rating:

Sort by

Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Santa Cruz, CA

There are 5 dog-friendly hiking trails in Santa Cruz, and 10 more nearby. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Santa Cruz.

Pet Friendly West Cliff Drive

West Cliff Drive

West Cliff Drive

Bring Fido for a hike along West Cliff Drive, a pet-friendly trail in Santa Cruz, CA. This 3-mile one-way, walking and biking path along the Pacific Ocean starts at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, winds past the iconic Santa Cruz Dream Inn, Steamer Lane, and Lighthouse Point, and ends at Natural Bridges State Beach. Please keep Fido leashed.

Pet Friendly Pogonip Open Space

Pogonip Open Space

Pogonip Open Space

Leashed dogs are allowed to explore parts of the pet-friendly Pogonip Open Space in Santa Cruz, CA. Pogonip features approximately 11.5 miles of trails. Dogs are not allowed on all trails, as some are in sensitive habitats. In dog-friendly areas, owners must clean up after their pet and keep them leashed. For information on where Fido is allowed, check out the trail map on Pogonip's official website.

Ocean View Park

Ocean View Park

Four-legged friends of Santa Cruz, CA are invited to visit Ocean View Park. This pet-friendly recreation space offers owners and their pups a place to walk, picnic or play in the dog park together. Other amenities of the recreation area include a playground and basketball half court. Pets must be leashed during your visit unless within the designated off-leash dog area.

DeLaveaga Park

Leashed dogs are invited to the pet-friendly DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz, CA. Owners and their four-legged pals can walk the 1200-acre park, people-watch on the grass or play in the off-leash dog area. Note that dogs aren't permitted in the athletic fields, bleachers, play areas, picnic areas or public buildings.

Grant Park

Grant Park in Santa Cruz, CA is pet friendly. This outdoor recreation area offers a range of amenities for visitors, including sports courts, playgrounds, a dog park, picnic areas, walking paths and a bicycle pump track. Four-legged parkgoers must be leashed unless within the designated dog park area.

Los Gatos Creek Trail

Los Gatos Creek Trail

The Los Gatos Creek Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Los Gatos! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.

Vasona Lake County Park

Vasona Lake County Park

Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos, CA is dog friendly. Bring Fido along as you explore the serene natural beauty of this park. Enjoy a scenic walking trail around the lake, stroll along shaded pathways and take advantage of the 45 acres of lush lawn.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Pet-friendly Almaden Quicksilver County Park in San Jose offers a view of California's mining era history, and springtime offers the chance to see one of the most spectacular wildflower displays of the region. There are over 34.2 miles of hiking trails for you and Fido to explore, and picnic tables are scattered throughout. Dogs must be on a six foot leash and wear proof of a current license and rabies vaccine. Owners are responsible for pet care and clean up, and aggression is not tolerated. Please note that park trails are subject to closure due to poor conditions.

Sanborn County Park

Sanborn County Park

Sanborn County Park is pet-friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the woodland trails that wind around this lush 3,453 acre park. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard, walk with your pup in the shadows of redwoods and tan bark oak. The park offers hike-in camping, RV camping and picnicking opportunities year-round. Sanborn County Park is open every day of the week from dawn until dusk.

Los Gatos Creek County Park

Los Gatos Creek County Park

Los Gatos Creek County Park in Campbell, CA is dog friendly. This large park provides recreational opportunities for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, skaters and nature lovers. Fido is welcome to join you for a stroll along the Los Gatos Creek Trail or a relaxed afternoon picnic. At the north end of the park visitors will find Los Gatos Creek Dog Park, a fully-enclosed area with artificial turf, shade structures and bench seating. Vehicle entrance fees are collected year round.

Martial Cottle Park

Martial Cottle Park

Martial Cottle Park is a 287-acre, pet-friendly urban park in San Jose, CA, celebrating sustainable agriculture and local history. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the perimeter walking trail and throughout the park's green spaces, picnic areas, and educational exhibits honoring the Cottle family's farming legacy.

Pinto Lake County Park

Watsonville, CA

Pinto Lake County Park

Pinto Lake County Park is a 183-acre, dog-friendly outdoor space in Watsonville, CA. The park offers a dog park that features double door entry, water fountains for humans and dogs, separate areas for large and small dogs, bench seating, a tree bark and wood surface, waste bags and free parking. Dogs are welcome join you in exploring beyond the dog park, including the beautiful lake and trails, as long as they are on leash.

Pajaro River Levee Trail

Watsonville, CA

Pajaro River Levee Trail

Grab Fido's leash and head out for some exercise along Pajaro River Levee Trail in Watsonville, CA. You can park at the lot on Bridge Street and take the trail that ends at the water. On your way, you might encounter wildlife like bobcats, otters and birds.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Boulder Creek, CA

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California's oldest state park and is home to the largest span of old-growth Redwoods south of San Francisco. Leashed dogs are allowed in the campsites, picnic areas, and on paved roads. They must be on a leash and attended at all times. Dogs are also allowed on North Escape, a 2.5-mile one-way (5-mile round trip) paved road that is mostly gated off to cars and alongside old-growth redwoods, a creek, and lush undergrowth. Dog owners can check out Big Basin's official website for information on day-use and camping fees. Dogs are not permitted on any of the trails or fire roads excluding the campground connector trail from Sempervirens and Blooms Creek campgrounds to park headquarters. Dogs are not allowed in any portion of the Rancho del Oso area, or on Waddell State Beach.

Shark Fin Cove (Shark Tooth Cove)

Shark Fin Cove (Shark Tooth Cove)

The trail overlooking Shark Fin Cove in Davenport, CA is dog friendly. Also known as Shark Tooth Cove, this scenic coastal area is popular with those looking for a sunset walk along the cliffs. Fido is not permitted to join you on Shark Fin Cove beach, but visitors can capture an amazing photograph of the stunning rock formations and sea caves below. Walk along to Davenport Cliffs Viewpoint for the very best ocean views. The beach and trails are accessible from Highway 1. If you're coming from Santa Cruz, the dirt pull-out parking lot is on your left, about 0.5 miles from Bonny Doon Beach. Coming from San Francisco, it is 1 mile south of the city of Davenport.

Santa Cruz, CA, US