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Dogs in Santa Cruz, California
40 of 48 places verified in Santa Cruz allow dogs in at least some areas, including 9 dog parks.
Also as markdown and in the API.
City rules
Santa Cruz has no city dog ordinance in our records yet. In unincorporated areas, Santa Cruz County rules apply; inside each park or business, the rule on its own page applies. Know the ordinance?
Dog parks and off-leash areas
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branciforte Dog Park | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| DeLaveaga Park Sand Pit Off-Leash Area | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| Frederick Street Park Dog Park | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| Grant Street Park Off-Leash Area | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| Mimi De Marta Dog Park | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| Mitchell's Cove Beach | Santa Cruz | 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. | Off leash allowed at certain times or seasons | October 26, 2026 |
| Ocean View Park Off-Leash Area | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. Dogs may be off leash. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| Pacheco Dog Park | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
| University Terrace Park Dog Park | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes. This is an off-leash dog park. | Off leash allowed | October 31, 2026 |
Places to eat and drink
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauregard Vineyards | Santa Cruz | No | No. The winery's house rules say no dogs. | The winery's house rules say no dogs. | November 1, 2026 |
| 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. | Dogs are welcome but must stay in the guest's tasting area. | November 1, 2026 |
Beaches and shoreline
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell Beach | Santa Cruz | No | No. Dogs are not allowed on Cowell Beach. | Dogs are not allowed on Cowell Beach. | October 26, 2026 |
| Its Beach (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 28, 2026 |
| Lighthouse Field State Beach | Santa Cruz | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs allowed on leash including the beach. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Main Beach (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | No | No. Dogs are not allowed on Main Beach or the Santa Cruz Wharf. | Dogs are not allowed on Main Beach or the Santa Cruz Wharf. | October 26, 2026 |
| Natural Bridges State Beach | Santa Cruz | No | No. except on pavement and in picnic area on leash. | except on pavement and in picnic area on leash | October 26, 2026 |
| Twin Lakes State Beach | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
Trails
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverwalk (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| West Cliff (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
Parks
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Leash | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arana Gulch (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Beach Flats Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Bethany Curve (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Chestnut Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| City Hall Gardens (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| DeLaveaga Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Depot Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Garfield Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Harvey West Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| John Franks Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| La Barranca (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Lighthouse Avenue Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Mission Plaza Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Poets Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Pogonip (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Riverside Gardens (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park | Santa Cruz | Yes, with restrictions | Yes, with restrictions. Dogs not allowed in building. | Required | October 26, 2026 |
| Sergeant Derby Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Star of the Sea Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Trescony Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Tyrrell Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Westlake Park (Santa Cruz) | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes, on leash. | Required | November 1, 2026 |
| Wilder Ranch State Park | Santa Cruz | No | No. Dogs are not allowed. | October 26, 2026 |
Places to stay
| Place | Town | Dogs | Answer | Pet fee | Weight limit | Pets | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Western Plus, Santa Cruz* | 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. | Up to $40 per room per night | Up to 80 lb per pet | Up to 2 | October 26, 2026 |
| Best Western, Santa Cruz* | 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. | Up to $40 per room per night | Up to 80 lb per pet | Up to 2 | October 26, 2026 |
| Chaminade Resort & Spa | Santa Cruz | Yes | Yes: up to 2 pets per room; up to 75 lb each; $75 per pet. | $75 per pet | Up to 75 lb per pet | Up to 2 | October 31, 2026 |
| Dream Inn Santa Cruz | 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. | $100 per stay | Up to 40 lb per pet | Up to 2 | October 31, 2026 |
| La Quinta Inn, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | No | No. Listed by the brand as a location that does not allow pets. | $25 per room per night, up to $75 per stay | Set by each location | Up to 2 | October 28, 2026 |
| Ocean Echo Inn & 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. | November 1, 2026 |
* Brand policy: the chain's published rules, not yet confirmed by this hotel.
Other cities nearby: Capitola · Scotts Valley · Watsonville
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