Which California state beaches allow dogs?
41 verified: Asilomar State Beach; Bean Hollow State Beach; Bolsa Chica State Beach; Cardiff State Beach; Carmel River State Beach; Carpinteria State Beach; Caspar Headlands State Beach; Cayucos State Beach; Corona del Mar State Beach; Doheny State Beach; El Capitán State Beach; Emma Wood State Beach; Greenwood State Beach; Half Moon Bay State Beach; Huntington State Beach; Kings Beach State Recreation Area; Lighthouse Field State Beach; Little River State Beach; Malibu Lagoon State Beach (incl. Adamson House); Manresa State Beach; McGrath State Beach; Montara State Beach; New Brighton State Beach; Pacifica State Beach; Pelican State Beach; and more.
State beaches and beach units where California State Parks allows dogs, always on a leash of 6 feet or less. Check the restriction on each entry: some allow dogs only on paths or in specific sections.
Checked October 26, 2026. Published when at least three verified places qualify; this list covers only places verified so far, sorted by town and name.
| Place | Type | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach | beach | Alameda | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are not allowed on the beach; they may use the lawns and paved paths only, on a leash (6 feet maximum). | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Seacliff State Beach | beach | Aptos | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| New Brighton State Beach | beach | Capitola | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Cardiff State Beach | beach | Cardiff by the Sea | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are allowed at Cardiff Reef and Seaside, South of Tower 16, but must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| San Elijo State Beach | beach | Cardiff by the Sea | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only in campground. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| South Carlsbad State Beach | beach | Carlsbad | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only in campground. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Carmel River State Beach | beach | Carmel | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Carpinteria State Beach | beach | Carpinteria | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Point Sal State Beach | beach | Casmalia | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed on trail. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Caspar Headlands State Beach | beach | Caspar | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Cayucos State Beach | beach | Cayucos | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Unless posted signs say otherwise. Dogs are allowed only on leash in permitted areas. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Corona del Mar State Beach | beach | Corona Del Mar | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are allowed before 10 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. Dogs not allowed on the beach or any beachfront sidewalk between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., including the ocean front beaches and bay front beaches. Park unit operated by City of Newport Beach. Check website at https://www.newportbeachca.gov/how-do-i-/find/beach-information for more information. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Silver Strand State Beach | beach | Coronado | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only in the parking lots and RV campground. Dogs not allowed on beach or bayside. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Doheny State Beach | beach | Dana Point | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on beaches. Dogs must be leashed and attended to by an adult at all times. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Greenwood State Beach | beach | Elk | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| El Capitán State Beach | beach | Goleta | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Refugio State Beach | beach | Goleta | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | beach | Half Moon Bay | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Bolsa Chica State Beach | beach | Huntington Beach | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only on the multiuse trail (bike path). Dogs not allowed on sand. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Huntington State Beach | beach | Huntington Beach | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only on the multiuse trail (bike path). Dogs not allowed on sand. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Kings Beach State Recreation Area | beach | Kings Beach | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed at Dog Beach which is located at the east of the Park beyond the boat ramp (rocky area). Dogs not allowed on sandy beaches in Placer County. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Malibu Lagoon State Beach (incl. Adamson House) | beach | Malibu | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed only in parking lot. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Montara State Beach | beach | Montara | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Pismo State Beach | beach | Oceano | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs not allowed in Pismo Dune Preserve. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| McGrath State Beach | beach | Oxnard | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Asilomar State Beach | beach | Pacific Grove | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs on leash allowed on beach, trails, and conference grounds. Dogs not allowed in conference ground buildings. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Pacifica State Beach | beach | Pacifica | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Bean Hollow State Beach | beach | Pescadero | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are allowed on the beach on leash. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Schooner Gulch State Beach | beach | Point Arena | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| San Clemente State Beach | beach | San Clemente | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on trails or the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| San Onofre State Beach | beach | San Clemente | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed in buildings or on the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Lighthouse Field State Beach | beach | Santa Cruz | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed on leash including the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Twin Lakes State Beach | beach | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Pelican State Beach | beach | Smith River | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Little River State Beach | beach | Trinidad | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Yes on waveslope only, on leash. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Trinidad State Beach | beach | Trinidad | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on trails. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Emma Wood State Beach | beach | Ventura | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| San Buenaventura State Beach | beach | Ventura | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed in day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Manresa State Beach | beach | Watsonville | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Sunset State Beach | beach | Watsonville | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Except on the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Westport-Union Landing State Beach | beach | Westport | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |