Pet Friendly Beaches

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 - 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 - 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.

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.

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 beach which ends at a protected bird sanctuary. Leashed pets are welcome.