--- canonical: https://dogpolicies.com/cities/santa-cruz/ title: "Dogs in Santa Cruz, California: dog-friendly places" license: CC-BY-4.0 attribution: "DogPolicies, dogpolicies.com, CC BY 4.0, verified 2026-11-01" verified_at: 2026-11-01 spotlight: false city_rules_on_file: false json: https://dogpolicies.com/api/v1/cities.json --- # Dogs in Santa Cruz, California 48 verified places in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has no city dog ordinance in our records yet; Santa Cruz County rules apply in unincorporated areas, and each place's own rule is below. ## Dog parks and off-leash areas | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Branciforte Dog Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/branciforte-dog-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | 2026-10-31 | | [DeLaveaga Park Sand Pit Off-Leash Area](https://dogpolicies.com/places/delaveaga-park-sand-pit-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | 2026-10-31 | | [Frederick Street Park Dog Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/frederick-street-park-dog-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | 2026-10-31 | | [Grant Street Park Off-Leash Area](https://dogpolicies.com/places/grant-street-park-dog-area-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | 2026-10-31 | | [Mimi De Marta Dog Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/mimi-de-marta-dog-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | 2026-10-31 | | [Mitchell's Cove Beach](https://dogpolicies.com/places/mitchells-cove-beach/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs may be off leash before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Beach access is by the stairway on West Cliff Drive at Sunset Avenue. | 2026-10-26 | | [Ocean View Park Off-Leash Area](https://dogpolicies.com/places/ocean-view-park-dog-area-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | 2026-10-31 | | [Pacheco Dog Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/pacheco-dog-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | 2026-10-31 | | [University Terrace Park Dog Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/university-terrace-park-dog-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | 2026-10-31 | ## Places to eat and drink | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Beauregard Vineyards](https://dogpolicies.com/places/beauregard-vineyards-santa-cruz/) | No | No. The winery's house rules say no dogs. | 2026-11-01 | | [Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard](https://dogpolicies.com/places/santa-cruz-mountain-vineyard-santa-cruz/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are welcome but must stay in the guest's tasting area. The page does not say whether a leash is required. | 2026-11-01 | ## Beaches and shoreline | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Cowell Beach](https://dogpolicies.com/places/cowell-beach/) | No | No. Dogs are not allowed on Cowell Beach. | 2026-10-26 | | [Its Beach (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/its-beach-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | 2026-10-28 | | [Lighthouse Field State Beach](https://dogpolicies.com/places/lighthouse-field-state-beach/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed on leash including the beach. | 2026-10-26 | | [Main Beach (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/santa-cruz-main-beach/) | No | No. Dogs are not allowed on Main Beach or the Santa Cruz Wharf. | 2026-10-26 | | [Natural Bridges State Beach](https://dogpolicies.com/places/natural-bridges-state-beach/) | No | No. except on pavement and in picnic area on leash. | 2026-10-26 | | [Twin Lakes State Beach](https://dogpolicies.com/places/twin-lakes-state-beach/) | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | 2026-10-26 | ## Trails | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Riverwalk (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/riverwalk-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [West Cliff (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/west-cliff-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | ## Parks | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Arana Gulch (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/arana-gulch-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Beach Flats Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/beach-flats-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Bethany Curve (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/bethany-curve-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Chestnut Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/chestnut-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [City Hall Gardens (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/city-hall-gardens-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [DeLaveaga Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/delaveaga-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Depot Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/depot-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Garfield Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/garfield-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Harvey West Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/harvey-west-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [John Franks Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/john-franks-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [La Barranca (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/la-barranca-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Lighthouse Avenue Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/lighthouse-avenue-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Mission Plaza Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/mission-plaza-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Poets Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/poets-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Pogonip (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/pogonip-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Riverside Gardens (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/riverside-gardens-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/santa-cruz-mission-state-historic-park/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs not allowed in building. | 2026-10-26 | | [Sergeant Derby Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/sergeant-derby-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Star of the Sea Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/star-of-the-sea-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Trescony Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/trescony-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Tyrrell Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/tyrrell-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Westlake Park (Santa Cruz)](https://dogpolicies.com/places/westlake-park-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes, on leash. | 2026-11-01 | | [Wilder Ranch State Park](https://dogpolicies.com/places/wilder-ranch-state-park/) | No | No. Dogs are not allowed. | 2026-10-26 | ## Places to stay | Place | Dogs | Answer | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Best Western Plus, Santa Cruz](https://dogpolicies.com/places/best-western-plus-santa-cruz/) | Varies by location | Depends on the hotel: Best Western lets each hotel decide. Where pets are accepted: up to 2 pets per room; up to 80 lb each; up to $40 per room per night. | 2026-10-26 | | [Best Western, Santa Cruz](https://dogpolicies.com/places/best-western-santa-cruz/) | Varies by location | Depends on the hotel: Best Western lets each hotel decide. Where pets are accepted: up to 2 pets per room; up to 80 lb each; up to $40 per room per night. | 2026-10-26 | | [Chaminade Resort & Spa](https://dogpolicies.com/places/chaminade-resort-and-spa-santa-cruz/) | Yes | Yes: up to 2 pets per room; up to 75 lb each; $75 per pet. | 2026-10-31 | | [Dream Inn Santa Cruz](https://dogpolicies.com/places/dream-inn-santa-cruz/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions: up to 2 pets per room; up to 40 lb each; $100 per stay. Dogs only. No pets on the Pool Deck, in Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge, in the event space or on Cowell Beach. | 2026-10-31 | | [La Quinta Inn, Santa Cruz](https://dogpolicies.com/places/la-quinta-inn-santa-cruz/) | No | No. Listed by the brand as a location that does not allow pets. | 2026-10-28 | | [Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages](https://dogpolicies.com/places/ocean-echo-inn-and-beach-cottages-santa-cruz/) | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dog friendly in some rooms; the page says to call. It gives no fee, weight limit or leash rules. | 2026-11-01 | Guide: https://dogpolicies.com/cities/santa-cruz/ ยท Methodology: https://dogpolicies.com/methodology/