Best Los Angeles Beaches for Dogs

Does your pup love the sun and sand as much as you do? Fortunately, pet lovers who live in the Los Angeles area have plenty of places to take their pooches for some much-needed outdoor recreation on the gorgeous Pacific coasts. These are the four best dog-friendly LA beach spots.

Arroyo Burro Beach Park

Colloquially known as “Henley’s Beach,” Arroyo Burro Beach Park is a 6-acre stretch in Santa Barbara with provisions for on-leash canines from Arroyo Burro Beach to Mesa Lane along Edgewater Way. Leashes are not required at the Douglas Family Preserve adjacent to the park. This locale combines the best of both worlds with sandy coastline for swimming, surfing and fishing along with grassy areas for picnicking and frolicking with your pets. This beach is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and features picnic tables, barbecue grills, trails, public restrooms, lifeguards on duty and even a free beach wheelchair service for visitors with mobility challenges. Self-serve dog wash stations and outdoor human showers are also available along with free parking (an LA rarity).

Huntington Dog Beach

Interested in Venice Beach real estate? Spanning 1.5-miles of coastline, nearby Huntington Dog Beach is open to dogs on leashes. This community funded Orange County spot may be just outside LA County, but it’s worth the drive for the open space and gorgeous views. Huntington Dog Beach is located on the Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street. Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., it offers public restrooms, paid parking lots, waste bags and picnic tables. Stop for lunch at one of several dog-friendly restaurants nearby, including Bodhi Tree Vegan Cafe and Grinderz.

North Beach at Leo Carrillo State Park

This western Malibu beach features a designated zone for on-leash dogs. Families and pets alike love exploring its caves and tidepools and relaxing on the shores of nearby surf mecca Staircase Beach. North Beach has free public parking along the Pacific Coast Highway when you enter through the main entrance for Leo Carrillo State Park. While you’re there, have a picnic, hit the hiking trails or even pack your scuba gear or keep your eyes peeled for whales. You’ll be searching condos for sale Santa Monica so you’ll be local to this quiet beach.

Rosie’s Dog Beach

Often ranked as the best dog beach in the city (after all, it’s right in the name), Rosie’s Dog Beach is located just off Ocean Boulevard in the Belmont Shore section of Long Beach. With a designated off-leash area, your dog can safely roam untethered regardless of size and breed. You’ll find complimentary scoops and bags for waste as well as public restrooms for the humans. Visit after 5 p.m. for free parking or plan to pay approximately $1 an hour at the nearby lot on Bennett Avenue. This four-acre stretch is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and requires just a short drive from nearby Marina del Rey real estate.

Is your pet your priority? Spend some quality time in the sun with your best friend at these quintessential LA dog beaches before deciding on the perfect place for you and your dog to live in Los Angeles.