Kids & Dog Friendly Day
The whole family adventure - kids, pups, and parents!
Discover Santa Cruz's best spots where everyone is welcome, including your four-legged friends
Perfect Day Itinerary
🌅 Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
9:00 AM - Dog-Friendly Beach Time
Start your day at one of Santa Cruz's dog-friendly beaches where pups can run off-leash and kids can play in the sand.
🐕 Best Dog Beaches:
- • Mitchell's Cove Beach: Off-leash before 10am & after 4pm
- • Lighthouse Field State Beach: Dogs allowed on trails
- • Seabright Beach: Dogs on leash, wide beach
- • Manresa State Beach: Dogs on leash, less crowded
👶 Kid Activities:
- • Build sandcastles
- • Collect shells and sea glass
- • Play in tide pools (low tide)
- • Fly kites
- • Watch dogs play
💡 Pro Tips: Bring poop bags, fresh water for your dog, sunscreen for kids, and towels for everyone. Check tide times for best tide pool exploring.
11:00 AM - Brunch at Pet-Friendly Patio
Refuel at a restaurant with outdoor seating that welcomes dogs.
The Picnic Basket
Downtown
- • Outdoor patio
- • Kids menu
- • Healthy options
- • Dog water bowls
Walnut Avenue Café
Westside
- • Huge portions
- • Family-friendly
- • Outdoor seating
- • Casual vibe
Zachary's
Multiple locations
- • Patio seating
- • Kids love it
- • Big breakfasts
- • Dogs welcome
☀️ Afternoon (12:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
12:30 PM - Dog-Friendly Park Adventure
Head to a park where kids can play and dogs can explore.
🏞️ Best Parks:
- • DeLaveaga Park: Huge park, disc golf, trails
- • Neary Lagoon: Nature walk, wildlife viewing
- • Pogonip: Hiking trails, open space
- • Harvey West Park: Playground, dog area
Activities:
- • Nature scavenger hunt
- • Frisbee with the dog
- • Playground time for kids
- • Easy hiking trails
- • Picnic lunch
2:30 PM - Ice Cream & Boardwalk
Cool down with ice cream and explore the boardwalk area (note: dogs not allowed on boardwalk itself, but can walk around perimeter).
🍦 Ice Cream Stops:
- • Marianne's Ice Cream: Local favorite, outdoor seating
- • The Penny Ice Creamery: Artisan flavors, dog-friendly patio
- • Boardwalk vendors: Classic soft serve
🎡 Boardwalk Note: Dogs aren't allowed on the boardwalk, but one adult can take the dog for a beach walk while the other takes kids on rides!
4:00 PM - Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Educational and fun for kids! (Dogs can wait in the car with windows down or one adult can stay outside with them).
What Kids Will Love:
- • Touch tanks with sea creatures
- • Massive blue whale skeleton
- • Interactive exhibits
- • Aquarium viewing
Dog-Friendly Alternative:
- • Walk the nearby coastal trail
- • Explore Natural Bridges
- • Visit Lighthouse Field
- • Beach time at Its Beach
🌅 Evening (5:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
5:30 PM - Sunset at Natural Bridges
Perfect spot for sunset with kids and dogs. Wide open space, tide pools, and beautiful views.
- • Dogs allowed on leash
- • Great for photos
- • Tide pools to explore (if low tide)
- • Monarch butterflies (Oct-Feb)
- • Picnic tables available
7:00 PM - Family Dinner
End your day at a casual, family and dog-friendly restaurant.
Pizza My Heart
- • Outdoor seating
- • Kids love pizza
- • Quick service
- • Dogs welcome
Betty's Burgers
- • Patio seating
- • Kids menu
- • Milkshakes
- • Dog-friendly
Tacos Moreno
- • Outdoor tables
- • Authentic tacos
- • Budget-friendly
- • Casual vibe
Santa Cruz Dog Beach Rules
✅ Where Dogs Are Allowed:
- • Mitchell's Cove (off-leash before 10am, after 4pm)
- • Lighthouse Field State Beach (on-leash)
- • Seabright Beach (on-leash)
- • Natural Bridges (on-leash)
- • Most state beaches (on-leash)
❌ Where Dogs Are NOT Allowed:
- • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- • Cowell Beach (main beach)
- • Most beaches during peak hours
- • Inside most shops and restaurants
- • Tide pool protected areas
Important: Always clean up after your dog, keep them leashed where required, and be respectful of other beachgoers. Bring plenty of water and shade for your pup!
What to Bring
🐕 For Your Dog:
- • Leash (6ft max)
- • Poop bags (lots!)
- • Water bowl & fresh water
- • Towel for wet paws
- • Treats & toys
- • Dog first aid kit
- • Shade/umbrella
👶 For Your Kids:
- • Sunscreen (reef-safe)
- • Hats & sunglasses
- • Beach toys
- • Change of clothes
- • Snacks & water
- • First aid kit
- • Wipes & hand sanitizer
👨👩👧 For Parents:
- • Beach blanket/chairs
- • Cooler with drinks
- • Camera/phone
- • Cash (some places cash-only)
- • Patience & flexibility!
- • Backup plans
- • Sense of adventure
Budget Estimate
Budget Day ($50-80):
- • Beach: Free
- • Brunch: $30-40 (family of 4)
- • Park: Free
- • Ice cream: $15-20
- • Seymour Center: $20 (family)
- • Dinner: $40-60
Splurge Day ($150-200):
- • Beach: Free
- • Brunch: $60-80
- • Boardwalk rides: $40-60
- • Ice cream & treats: $30
- • Activities: $30-40
- • Nice dinner: $80-100