Pet Friendly Beaches

A pet friendly beach is a wonderful thing. There are a lot of rules to be followed regarding keeping control of your dog, sure, but they’re usually not all that restrictive and, once you master them, we guarantee it will be a memorable experience.

Simply throwing a stick in the water and having your dog retrieve it can keep canines and humans entertained for longer than you might think. Also, walking miles and miles along a national seashore. Or having your soaking wet pooch jump on your sleeping brother-in-law. Or just lying under an umbrella with your head resting on your napping buddy. Beaches are fun no matter what. Bring along a dog and we guarantee the fun will be multiplied many, many times.

Some of our favorites...

Montara State Beach

8302 Pacific Coast Hwy,
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-726-8819
Pet Friendly Montara State Beach in Half Moon Bay, CA
Local dog lovers rave about this clean, popular beach, where pets are welcome to join you as long as they remain on-leash.

Capehart Dog Park

4747 Soledad Mountain Rd,
San Diego, CA
619-221-8901
Pet Friendly Capehart Dog Park in San Diego, CA
Capehart Dog Park - Pacific Beach (24-hr. off leash) - Located at the corner of Felspar and Soledad Mountain Road, this one acre park offers two fenced pens, one for small dogs and one for large or all dogs. The park also includes a drinking fountain, picnic tables and benches, and a parking area.

Fifth Avenue Beach

510 5th Ave,
Manistee, MI 49660
Pet Friendly Fifth Avenue Beach in Manistee, MI
This beautiful beach is located at the end of Fifth Avenue. Leashed dogs are welcome at the beach throughout most of the year. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, though, dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time.

Rosie's Dog Beach

1 Argonne Ave,
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-570-3100
Pet Friendly Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, CA
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily Cost: Long Beach is home to the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County, CA. This 3-acre park is located at the waterfront between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues, a few blocks east of the Belmont Pier and Olympic pool. Ample parking is available along Ocean Boulevard. The cost is 25 cents for every 15 minutes. Free parking is available at the beachfront lot at the end of Granada Avenue daily after 5:00 p.m. Only one dog per adult is permitted, and no agressive dogs are allowed. Please see the website for more dog beach rules.

Fort Lauderdale Canine Beach

Florida A1A & E Sunrise Blvd,
Fort Lauderdale, FL
954-828-8000
Pet Friendly Fort Lauderdale Canine Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hours: Winter Hours: Fri - Sun 3pm to 7 pm, Summer Hours: Fri - Sun 5 pm to 9 pm Cost: Permits: $7 - $45 per dog, Call for details Fort Lauderdale allows dogs on-leash in a large marked area of the beach. There are dog bags, water, and beach showers at this dog park. There is even a city officer on site to help with any problems and rule enforcement at the beach. The beach is close to the road, but officer and dunes are both between the beach and the road, so really, the only issue is parking. A one-weekend permit costs $7 per dog.

Oregon Inlet 4WD Beach

98 NC 12 Hwy,
Nags Head, NC
279
Pet Friendly Oregon Inlet 4WD Beach in Nags Head, NC
Hours: Cost: Free This is a 4 wheel drive beach across the street from Oregon Inlet Fishing center. The fishing center offers free air to re-inflate your tires once you are done your day at the beach. All of the beach rules are posted on a sign at the drive-on entrance. Dogs are very welcome! There are no lifeguards on duty here. Fish and Game and/or the Coast Guard make occasional sweeps of the beach. It is a very open atmosphere - beach goers are not squished together, so there is plenty of space for some off-leash fetch and swimming with your pooch! Make sure to bring your own fresh water as well since there is no shower/spigot at this beach. Be sure to stay off the turtle nesting areas which are clearly marked and as always, pooper scoop after your pooch!

Oak Island Beaches

W Oak Island Dr and Midway Rd SE,
Wilmington, NC
Pet Friendly Oak Island Beaches in Wilmington, NC
Oak Island - Dogs that are leashed are permitted year round on Oak Island beaches. Dogs are allowed off their leash from October 15th until March 15th from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm in locations marked by beach access signs.

Nags Head Beach

S Virginia Dare Trail & W Soundside,
Nags Head, NC
Pet Friendly Nags Head Beach in Nags Head, NC
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet. When traveling to the well know "Nags Head Beach" area it is a must to enjoy some beach time with your dog . Sit and relax or take a long run along with beach to burn off car stress for both you and your pooch.

Nordhouse Dunes

W Forest Trail Rd,
Manistee, MI
Pet Friendly Nordhouse Dunes in Manistee, MI
Hours: dawn to dusk Cost: free Nordhouse Dunes offers miles of trails to explore on the shore of Lake Michigan. Natural features include sand dunes, wooded areas, marshes, interdunal ponds, and beaches. Dogs must be leashed at all times while exploring Nordhouse Dunes. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are also permitted in the campground.

Carmel River State Beach

17th Ave & Carmelo St,
Carmel, CA 93923
Pet Friendly Carmel River State Beach in Carmel, CA
Carmel beach which ends at a protected bird sanctuary. Leashed pets are welcome.