The 8 Best Dog Beaches Near Los Angeles That You Need to Visit Pronto

When it comes to dog beaches, Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach is top of mind. Open from 6 a.m to 8 p.m. daily, Rosie’s is the ideal place to take your pup for some fun in the sun and surf. It’s typically quite busy, which makes it a wonderful place to get in some dog-on-dog play time (or a chat with a fellow dog person). There is a large parking lot that charges $1 an hour so you won’t have to search long for a spot and street parking is also available for free. We’re partial to Rosie’s because the waves are not large, which makes it ideal for water-inclined dogs and playing fetch. There are also clean restrooms and showers so you can hose off your dog before getting in the car, plus plenty of trash cans so you can easily clean up when Brewster does his business.

5000 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

While technically located in Orange County, we couldn’t leave Huntington Dog Beach off the list because it’s both so close to L.A. and so beautiful. This dog beach earns extra credit for being one of the most accessible. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has two metered parking lots that charge $2 an hour. We also love that the beach supplies doggie waste bags in case you forget yours at home and that there are picnic tables and public restrooms available. This, coupled with the fact that you can actually lay out and soak up the sun at Huntington Dog Beach makes it the ideal place to enjoy lunch with friends and pups or spend a couple of hours relaxing. And while leashes are required when entering and exiting the beach, your dog is free to roam on the sand without one unless they’re unfriendly.

100 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach

Leo Carrillo Dog Beach is so much more than just a dog beach. The state-run park is also a lovely place to camp, surf, hike and explore the many tide pools and caves. And, yes, you can do most of that with your doggo. Dogs are allowed in the day-use area of the park, campground and North Beach (North of lifeguard tower 3). While they’re not allowed on the hiking trails, there’s still plenty to keep Gigi entertained. If you want to take a family vacation or day trip that involves your pooch, this is an ideal place to do it. Plus, is there anything more California than camping on the beach at night, surfing by day and doing it all with your dog at your side? Answer: No.

35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Speaking of Malibu, just south of Leo Carrillo Beach is a rockier part of the Malibu coastline referred to as South Beach. Dogs must be on-leash here but it’s still worth a visit because of the caves, tide pools, hiking trails and the picturesque Sequit Point. You might want to check out the tide times and try to visit around low tide, so your dog has more space to do his or her thing. There isn’t as much infrastructure in place in comparison to the other dog parks so you’ll need to bring doggie bags and hold on to them until you find a trash can. Also, street parking is likely your best bet.

35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

This suburban San Diego beach community is our nominee for best doggie staycation. Just two hours' drive from Santa Monica, this is home to a string of dog-friendly beaches, from the year-round leash requirements of South Beach to the post-Labor Day leash-free allure of North Beach. And in September every year, spectators gather to enjoy a dog surfing competition that raises money for a pet rescue organization. Overnight hotel options (from economical to luxe) are plentiful in Del Mar, the better for you and your best friend to really enjoy this well-maintained stretch of sandy canine wonderland.

3902 29th St., Del Mar

As Yellowcard once sang, “There’s a place on Ocean Avenue.” In this case, it’s a little place called Granada Beach and it will definitely get your dog’s tail wagging. Located in Long Beach near Rosie’s Dog Beach, Granada Dog Beach is nestled between Roycroft and Argon avenues in Long Beach. (If you’re not familiar with the area, don’t fret—there are usually cones marking it off…or you could just follow the pack of dogs.) Four-legged friends are welcome to be off leash here and also have free rein of the ocean. There are even volleyball courts and a bike path for active dog and human pairs. Since it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from the more crowded Rosie’s Dog Beach, the parking situation is the same (hence the matching addresses).

5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach

It seems Malibu is the gift that keeps giving when it comes to dog beaches. Staircase Beach, which weirdly doesn’t actually have a staircase, is located just north of Leo Carrillo’s North Beach. Similar to South Beach, dogs must be leashed here and it can get pretty rocky. The beach is narrower than the other two dog-friendly Malibu beaches and there aren’t restrooms. You can either park at the North Beach parking lot or the state park manager’s residence (address below) to access Staircase Beach. Although Staircase is not the most convenient option as far as L.A. dog beaches go, it’s a decent option for pooches who aren’t super social or are still getting their sea legs.

40000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

For those looking for a relaxing place to walk or chill out with their dog, Playa Del Rey Beach is just the thing. While dogs are allowed and there are plenty of doggie clean-up amenities (trash cans and bags are provided), you won’t see a great number of furry friends at this beach. Why? Well, there’s not a ton of parking (it’s all street parking) and Playa Del Rey is generally a less populated beach that’s popular with the folks who live there rather than tourists. Regardless, it’s a great option if you’re in the mood for a more chilled dog beach experience.

7313 S. Marine Ave., Playa Del Rey