The 30 Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the U.S.

This iconic stretch of beach, located along California’s central coast and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most scenic places in California to walk your pup. It’s also known as one of the most dog-friendly beaches in the U.S. Your canine friend can run off-leash and play with other dogs on the beach and in the surf but must be under voice command. Dogs need to be on a leash when you hit the Scenic Road, which meanders along the beach and affords spectacular views of the coastline, the town’s famous Cypress trees and Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Many restaurants will seat dogs with owners and come complete with pup-approved cuisine like steak tartar. What’s more, hotels like the Cypress Inn feature VIP treatment with amenities like “yappy hour,” pet blankets and bowls, doggie pickup bags and an area to wash off after playing on the beach. When you’re ready to take a stroll in town, Carmel-by-the-Sea, located south of Monterey, is one of the nation’s most welcoming towns for dogs, so you’ll find shopkeepers greet your furry friend with dog biscuits and water bowls. There’s even a Fountain of Woof in the Carmel Plaza for dogs to drink from.

[See more of Monterey: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Cisco Beach, situated on the southern shore of Nantucket, is one of the island’s top pet-friendly options. This beach, known for its soft sand and heavy surf, is popular with surfers and a younger crowd. There is a lifeguard in season, but there are no facilities, so you might want to pack a picnic lunch for you and your pup. You’ll also need to keep your buddy on a leash. Keep in mind, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. between April 1 and Aug. 31, and any time in the offseason.

For transportation to the island, Cape Air or the ferries by Hy-Line Cruises and the Steamship Authority are happy to take your furry pal to Nantucket. For a real treat, stay at the Woof Cottages, a dog-friendly option at The Cottages & Lodges at the Boat Basin, where your room comes with pet beds and bowls, doggie turndown service, a welcome bag of treats and other amenities for your pooch. Be sure to say hello to Bailey, the hotel’s pet concierge. While on the island, head over to Cisco Brewers to enjoy a cold brew with your canine friend. For more playtime fun, Tupancy Links is known as Nantucket’s unofficial dog park, and you’ll find on- and off-leash pups here. While at the “dog park,” be sure to check out the path that leads to panoramic views of the ocean from atop a 42-foot bluff.

[See more of Nantucket: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Bring your furry pal for lots of canine fun to the only free off-leash dog beach in the Palm Beaches. This 2.5-mile stretch of sand sits along southern Florida’s Atlantic coast and runs from beach marker No. 26 at Marcinski Road to marker No. 57 at the property line of Carlin Park. While dogs can run free once on the beach, they should be well behaved and well socialized, as well as obedient to voice commands and leashed when walking from the car to the beach.

For accommodations, make reservations at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, where your canine pal (weighing no more than 30 pounds) will be just as pampered as you, starting with a gift bag upon arrival. The resort offers dog-friendly public spaces and designated areas of the beach for your pup to explore. Then head to Harbourside Place, a waterfront shopping and restaurant complex, which features several outdoor pet-friendly options for dining. While there, treat your furry pal to canine couture, organic toys, seasonal accessories and other trendsetting fashion items at Pucci & Catana, an upscale pet boutique.

Many of Maine’s beaches welcome four-legged friends year-round, including this 4-acre sandy stretch in South Portland. This beautiful neighborhood beach less than 4 miles from downtown Portland affords picturesque views of Spring Point Ledge Light and the harbor’s sailboats moored offshore. Your pup will enjoy frolicking in the gentle waves, especially in the morning, late afternoon and evening during the extended off-leash beach hours from October through April. In the busy summer season, plan your beach time with Fido by keeping in mind that on-leash hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Since leash requirements do change, it’s best to confirm the latest restrictions before you go.

While in Portland, you and your buddy can also visit the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S., the Portland Head Light, and the adjacent Fort Williams Park. For your stay, book the INNcredible Pet Package for VIP treatment at the stylish Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth. This package includes a personalized L.L. Bean dog bed and toy, an evening gourmet menu and other perks. If you’re traveling in the fall, the inn goes to the dogs every October when pups are permitted to swim in the pool for an entire week before it closes for the season. In the last several years, the hotel has become known for its dog fostering and adoption program in partnership with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

[See more of Portland: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

The small coastal city of Cannon Beach is another wonderfully dog-friendly vacation spot, so it’s hard to find a place where you can’t take your furry friend with you. Dogs can roam the beach with their owners as long as they stay within sight and control by voice command. The area also boasts many hiking trails where pups can explore animal scents from the local wildlife, such as chipmunks, elk and bears.

Plan your visit over Labor Day weekend during Muttzanita, an annual dog festival held just south of Cannon Beach in Manzanita, when you can show off your pup’s unique ball-catching skills or other canine talents. Proceeds from the event support Animal Haven by the Sea, an animal rescue program that has several pet food banks to help locals in need. For accommodations in Cannon Beach, make reservations at either of these pet-friendly beachfront properties: the Tolovana Inn or Surfsand Resort.

Kiptopeke State Park is situated about 45 miles north of Virginia Beach along the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. On-leash pets are welcome on the south beach, where their humans can go swimming, boating, fishing or crabbing. What’s more, the park has more than 5 miles of trails to hike with your furry friend. Kiptopeke State Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with a $7 admission fee per car to enter and park. For an overnight stay, book rustic cabin accommodations in the park or head into town, where you and your pal can “ruff it” at Sunset Beach Hotel. This oceanfront property offers access to the off-leash Sandy Paws Dog Beach and the Beach Bark Dog Park, both perfect for relaxing during “yappy hour.”

Bring your pooch to play in the surf on this stretch of beach along Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint Avenue and 21st Street. This year-round dog-friendly beach in Huntington Beach, located about 35 miles south of Los Angeles, is open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Amenities at the popular destination include a picnic area with tables, restroom facilities and doggie waste bags; dogs must be leashed while entering and exiting the beach.

Visit in September when Huntington Dog Beach hosts the annual Surf City Surf Dog event or plan your trip around the biannual Corgi Beach Day in spring or fall; you can also check out the Corgi Nationals, races held twice a year in January and May. While in town, plan to reserve ocean-view accommodations at the Paséa Hotel & Spa just 2 miles from Huntington Dog Beach. Your pup will have off-leash access to the 1,100-square-foot Paw-séa Pup Play Park and receive amenities like a comfy bed, food and water bowls, and a welcome treat.

[See more of Huntington Beach: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

This 10-mile stretch of white sandy beach and coastal dunes sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay along the Jersey Shore. Island Beach State Park is one of the last barrier beaches to remain undeveloped on the north Atlantic coast. Humans and their doggie pals will appreciate the pristine shoreline and maritime forest that’s home to the state’s largest osprey colony and other types of birds such as peregrine falcons and waterfowl. Leashed pups (on no longer than a 6-foot leash) are permitted year-round. The park has eight trails to explore on foot, as well as an 8-mile road for biking. You can also go horseback riding on 6 miles of the beach from October through April and explore opportunities for fishing, swimming and surfing. Bring a picnic lunch and spend a relaxing day with your canine bestie. For local accommodations, search for pet-friendly properties on Vrbo or Airbnb.

Several beaches near St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach are dog-friendly and offer exceptional amenities for your furry friend. At Fort De Soto Park, spread across five small islands at the mouth of Tampa Bay, your four-legged pal can roam on a leash anywhere in the park except the main beaches. Their space to run free and frolic in the surf is on the designated dog beach at Paw Playground, which offers fenced-in areas for small and large dogs, as well as showers and dog-level water fountains.

After the beach, enjoy a cold brew at Dog Bar, an off-leash dog park and full-service bar where you and your pal can socialize – but be aware doggy patrons need to have a membership, a day pass for which costs $7. Then enjoy your time at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort with the Just Press Paws three-night pet package, which includes pet amenities like a Frisbee, signature bandana, Wolf Gang Bakery treats and more. The resort also has a leash-free pet play zone, a quick-wash station and gourmet dishes you can order from Paw Court Bistro.

[See more of St. Petersburg: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Washington state offers several active, outdoor pet-friendly destinations. One of these is along the beautiful coastline of the northern Olympic Peninsula. At Olympic National Park, you and your leashed friend can walk along certain rugged beaches and specified scenic trails in the forest and access campgrounds and picnic areas. Spend days outdoors in the fresh air and then head back to one of the park’s hotels, Kalaloch Lodge. This property in Forks is situated along a dog-friendly beach and features cabins that accommodate you and your furry friend – while offering views of the Pacific Ocean, Kalaloch Creek or the forest. While at the lodge, you and your pet can also hike more than 250 miles of trails in Olympic National Forest (separate from the park), visit the doggie-friendly beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Reservations, and check out the more than 400-acre Fort Worden State Park. After long adventure-filled days, relax outdoors with your furry pal at one of the patio dining spots in the seaside town of Port Townsend.

[See more of Olympic National Park: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

You and your pet will appreciate this scenic locale on the southwest coast of San Francisco. Dogs are permitted to be off their leashes at Fort Funston as long as they are under voice command, but bringing a leash as well is advised. Stroll along wind-swept beaches set beneath 200-foot-tall sandy bluffs. Then visit other areas of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to explore additional beaches and trails, some of which allow well-behaved pups to venture off-leash. In city parks, furry friends can frolic in an astounding 31 designated dog play areas. Make a reservation at Hotel Nikko San Francisco, home to adopted dogs Buster and Beau, where your pooch will be treated to upscale amenities like a bed and treats. After settling in, check out the only rooftop pet terrace in the city.

[See more of San Francisco: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Plan a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast to enjoy white beaches and sparkling emerald waters with your canine companion. As the pet-friendly section of City Beach, Dog Beach sits across from Pier Park and extends 400 feet along the coastline of Panama City Beach between beach access Nos. 56 and 57. The beach is open from sunrise to sunset, and leashes are required. A little more than a mile away, Frank Brown Dog Park has three fenced-in playgrounds for your furry friend to socialize and run free – one even offers a lakeside view. The park also has more than 2 miles of pet-friendly trails and greenways where you can get in human and doggie steps. For accommodations, plan to stay at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort. Much of the resort is dog-friendly, and you can dine outdoors at Pelican’s Bar and Grill or Flip Flops Pool Bar with your pal.

[See more of Panama City Beach: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

This pet-friendly beach access point leads to one of the most popular beaches in Hilton Head. Dogs especially love to roam the shoreline at Coligny Beach Park during low tide, and they can splash in the gently rolling surf. The beach is open year-round for dogs, but there are leash requirements from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During those months, beach access with pets is also restricted to before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. The beach boasts amenities such as showers, wheelchair accessibility and beach chair rentals. What’s more, parking is free. Many of the surrounding stores and restaurants also welcome four-legged friends. Plan to stay at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, a beachfront pet-friendly resort.

[See more of Hilton Head: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

This barrier island, located between Naples and Marco Island on Florida’s Paradise Coast, offers the only pet-friendly beach in the area. The island is mostly undeveloped and features nearly 8 miles of pristine white sand. Spend a day at the beach playing or relaxing with your pup. Keep in mind that Keewaydin Island is only accessible by boat. The Hemingway Water Shuttle welcomes pets and services the island from Rose Marina on Marco Island. Dogs must be leashed on the shuttle and on the beach. For accommodations, stay at The Boat House Motel, located just 1 mile from the Marco Island marina; pet reservations must be made in advance of your stay. This property sits along the banks of Collier Creek in historic Old Marco.

Jekyll Island is one of the four barrier islands that make up Georgia’s Golden Isles, located along the state’s southern coast. The 10 miles of unspoiled beaches of this island welcome four-legged friends year-round, with just a few restrictions. You must keep your dogs on a leash no longer than 16 feet, avoid the dunes, and follow the guidelines at the South Dunes and St. Andrews picnic areas. One morning, be sure to take a walk along the hauntingly beautiful Driftwood Beach. Other pet-friendly activities on the island include a dolphin tour or sunset dolphin excursion with Jekyll Island Boat Tours or a spooky nighttime Trolley Ghost Tour. Both San Souci Cottage at Jekyll Island Club Resort and The Westin Jekyll Island offer accommodations that welcome dogs.

Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the state’s central coast, Pismo Beach is known as a classic California beach town. The 60-acre Pismo State Beach and Pier, complete with a promenade area, allows leashed dogs only on the beach, so you can take a relaxing stroll along the sand with your best pal and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. You might even catch a glimpse of breaching humpback whales along the coastline. For more stunning views of the ocean, head over to 11-acre Dinosaur Caves Park, which sits atop a bluff. Afterward, take a short drive to check out the pet-friendly wineries less than 10 miles away in San Luis Obispo, like Biddle Ranch Vineyard and Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards. When it’s time to retire, you and your furry friend will enjoy experiencing the amenities at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa’s pet-friendly suites and dining outdoors at the property’s Lido Restaurant & Lounge.

[See more of Pismo Beach: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

This barrier island sits between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay off the southern tip of Texas. South Padre Island is the only tropical island in the state, with 34 miles of white sandy beaches, sparkling emerald waters and more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Your on-leash furry friend is permitted on the island’s beautiful beaches, but make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially rabies (and that you have records of them just in case). You’ll also want to bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl to refresh your pup during hot days on the sand and in the surf. One day, take a beach break for a dolphin tour with the Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center and let your pets befriend Rozzi the Dolphin Dog. For accommodations, reserve one of the pet-friendly cabanas or condos at the Isla Grand Beach Resort.

[See more of South Padre Island: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

The Cape Cod National Seashore, a 40-mile stretch with some of the best beaches in Cape Cod, welcomes on-leash furry pals year-round, with some restrictions on beaches and other parts of the park. During the summer, dogs are permitted to pass through but cannot remain on lifeguard-protected beaches. The seashore also has locations where shorebirds nest and migrate at certain times of the year that are off-limits to pets. Marconi Beach in Wellfleet is one of the most beautiful beaches, but you’re better off visiting with dogs outside the peak season as it’s lifeguard-protected. Beach access there is free after 4:30 p.m., in the offseason and on specific days during the summer. Pet owners should also be aware there are many seals along the coast, which tend to draw great white sharks closer to the shoreline. Dogs are welcome to stay at the Endless Coast, a boutique hotel in Wellfleet. If you visit in October, you’ll want to attend the Wellfleet OysterFest to sample the town’s renowned oysters – but note that pets are not permitted into the festival.

[See more of Cape Cod: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Its Beach – also known as Dog Beach – is one of several pet-friendly beaches in Santa Cruz where dogs can join their humans while on a leash for a walk along the Pacific Ocean. Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., dogs are permitted to be off-leash on the beach and in the interior park. Watch surfers catch some waves or, if you visit during low tide, be sure to check out the rock arch at the north end of the beach. Its Beach is located within Lighthouse Field State Park and right next to the historic lighthouse housing the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. For a dog-friendly stay just 5 miles away from the beach, Chaminade Resort & Spa is happy to host four-legged pals and features a welcome pet amenity, a “Pooch Patio Menu” and other dining options at The View Restaurant. There are also many hiking trails around the property to keep you both active and entertained.

[See more of Santa Cruz: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

This state park situated at the tip of Long Island in Montauk boasts 415 acres of maritime forests, beaches along the Atlantic coastline, dramatic bluffs, hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife for you and your furry friend to explore. Camp Hero State Park’s beaches are considered some of the top surf fishing locations in the world, and a visit to the village of Montauk, one of the top things to do in Long Island, can only be improved by the company of your dog. The park even has a spooky former military base built during WWII; conspiracy theories about the abandoned facility supposedly inspired the Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

Canine pals are required to remain on a no more than 6-foot leash while on the beach, and it’s recommended that you carry proof of a rabies vaccine. After you traverse Camp Hero State Park, head out to the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse, which offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound. To wind down from a full day outdoors, relax by the bay at the laid-back boutique motel Haven Montauk.

The 60 miles of Myrtle Beach coastline are very doggie-friendly, with some restrictions in place, particularly between May and mid-September. The city of Myrtle Beach permits pets on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. from May 1 to Labor Day and then any time throughout the rest of the year, provided they are on a leash no longer than 7 feet. Dogs can also join their human companions on the Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade any time of day in the offseason. Your furry pal will enjoy going off-leash at two local “Barc Parcs,” which feature enclosed areas to romp, play and socialize – in addition to taking advantage of the drinking fountains. The Barc Parc South location has 14 acres of play space and a pond. For more outdoor adventure, plan to spend a day at Huntington Beach State Park or wander the 3 miles of nature trails and boardwalk at Vereen Memorial Gardens. For your stay, Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Coastal Grand Mall offers pet-friendly rooms and is convenient for shopping and dining at the mall.

[See more of Myrtle Beach: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Your four-legged friend can swim without a leash at this lesser-known beach in South Lake Tahoe. Kiva Beach is also known to have some of the best and deepest swimming at the lake, so human pals will enjoy taking a dip, too. While on the sand, however, your pup will have to go back on the leash. Another perk of this dog-friendly location is that parking is free. After your swim and stroll, your furry pal can socialize untethered at Bijou Dog Park or you can hike the trails together at Van Sickle Bi-State Park, where some paths lead to the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. At the end of the day, spend time enjoying more beautiful views at the pet-friendly lakeside resort property The Landing Resort & Spa.

[See more of Lake Tahoe: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Pets are welcome on the beautiful beaches in the Maryland portion of this protected island, which also boasts wild horses, marshes and plenty of outdoor activities. However, dogs visiting Assateague Island National Seashore must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and are not permitted on nature trails, backcountry campsites or lifeguard-protected beaches. Doggie friends are also not permitted in the Virginia section of Assateague Island – even in your car. But if you’re up for an outdoor overnight adventure, you can camp in a “pup” tent or an RV in specific campgrounds on the island. After your visit to the seashore, plan to take a pet-friendly kayak tour around the area’s salt marshes or forested wetlands with Ayers Creek Adventures, as long as you call ahead.

Dog-loving Santa Barbara is the perfect destination to visit with your best furry pal given its wide-open spaces and amenities like hotel pet-pampering packages – not to mention leashed dogs of all sizes are welcome in the city’s downtown. Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, also called Hendry’s Beach, is where you’ll be able to let your pup off-leash (in specific locations) to ruff it up in the sand and surf.

After playtime at the beach, check out the many wineries in town that permit four-legged guests. Explore tasting rooms in the city’s Funk Zone district like that of Pali Wine Company – where your pet will even be greeted with treats. Many other wineries also allow pets, but check the individual restrictions regarding leashes and whether they are permitted indoors. While in town, plan to stay at San Ysidro Ranch. This iconic property features a Privileged Pet Program that includes accommodations in their pet-friendly cottages, a dog bed, water bowl, a welcome treat and pet amenity, and a special in-room dining menu.

[See more of Santa Barbara: Things to Do | Tours | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

The lively seaside town of Dewey Beach permits dogs on the beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. from mid-May to mid-September. Furry friends are allowed on one of Delaware’s best beaches at any time after the summer months. Dogs do not have to be leashed on the beach but will need a license, which you can obtain from the Dewey Beach Town Hall or online before your visit. You and your canine friend can also head out to explore the Junction and Breakwater Trail, a community-favorite rail-trail where old rail lines have been converted into a coastal walking and biking trail. Hyatt Place Dewey Beach offers pet-friendly rooms, and its bayfront location is less than half a mile from casual pet-friendly eateries like The Starboard and Woody’s Dewey Beach.

Pensacola Beach is a pet-friendly destination that outlines Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island of Pensacola. The community boasts two designated dog beaches on the west and east sides of the island – at parking lots 21.5 and 28.5 – where your furry pal can have a barktastic time. These parks are open from sunrise to sunset except during turtle season from May through October, when they open at 7 a.m. instead. All dogs must be on a leash and have a rabies tag per Florida law; other public beaches and parks are off-limits to pets. You’re advised to heed the beach’s flag system indicating surf conditions to keep you and your four-legged friend safe from rip currents.

After a day at the beach, you can head out to hike the trails on the mainland in Pensacola, starting with cliffs overlooking Escambia Bay at Pensacola Scenic Bay Bluffs Preserve. Then grab a cold brew and a casual bite at one of the many eateries and bars that welcome furry pals, like the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar. Several properties offer pet-friendly accommodations, including chain hotels like Candlewood Suites University Area, Residence Inn Pensacola Downtown and Hyatt Place Pensacola Airport.

[See more of Pensacola: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]