🐕 Pet-Friendly Santa Cruz
The best beaches, trails, and activities for you and your furry friend
Santa Cruz is incredibly dog-friendly! With off-leash beaches, miles of hiking trails, and welcoming outdoor restaurants, your pup will love this coastal town as much as you do. Here's everything you need to know about bringing your pet to Santa Cruz.
🏖️ Dog-Friendly Beaches
Its Beach
Off-leashDogs allowed off-leash sunrise-10am & 4pm-sunset
🅿️ Street (limited)
Mitchell's Cove Beach
Off-leashOff-leash beach, popular with locals
🅿️ Street
Lighthouse Field State Beach
On-leashDogs on leash, grassy area too
🅿️ Free lot
Seabright State Beach
On-leashDogs allowed on leash anytime
🅿️ Paid lot
Twin Lakes State Beach
On-leashDogs on leash, great for swimming
🅿️ Paid lot
Most State Beaches
On-leashDogs allowed on leash before 10am & after 4pm
🅿️ Varies
🥾 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails
Wilder Ranch Trails
Coastal bluffs, wide trails
Pogonip Park
Meadows, creek, off-beaten path
Moore Creek Preserve
Easy trails, wildlife
Henry Cowell Redwoods
Redwood trails, river
Nisene Marks State Park
Forest trails, waterfalls
🍽️ Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Restaurants with outdoor seating that welcome dogs:
Laili Restaurant (patio)
Woodstock's Pizza (outdoor)
Bantam (back patio)
The Picnic Basket (outdoor)
Linda's Seabreeze Cafe (patio)
The Bagelry (outdoor)
Betty's Noodles (patio)
Most downtown cafes with outdoor seating
Essential Pet Info
📋 Beach Rules
- • Always clean up after your dog
- • Bring waste bags (or use beach dispensers)
- • Off-leash areas have time restrictions
- • Voice control required off-leash
- • Watch for posted signs
🏥 Pet Services
- • Multiple vet clinics in area
- • Emergency: Adobe Animal Hospital
- • Dog wash stations at some beaches
- • Pet stores: Petco, Pet Food Express
- • Groomers throughout Santa Cruz
💧 Dog Essentials
- • Bring water for your dog
- • Collapsible bowl recommended
- • Shade can be limited on trails
- • Avoid hot sand (burns paws)
- • Rinse salt water after beach
🚫 Not Dog-Friendly
- • Beach Boardwalk (no dogs)
- • Most indoor attractions
- • Some state beaches (posted)
- • Crowded beaches midday
- • Restaurants (indoors)