Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California

The Central Coast of California may well be my favorite part of the state.  Though I grew up on the beaches of San Clemente, in the heart of Orange County: southern California just seems too busy to me these days. Too crowded. Too much traffic.  So when I make my annual (or bi-annual) trek from Oregon to Palm Springs, I’m always drawn to Central California….especially when I have a dog with me ~ which is pretty much always!  In this article, I’ll help you find the “Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California,” from Santa Barbara all the way up to Carmel & Monterey County.  

I’ve been going to Santa Barbara for years ~ but only discovered this year that they’ve got an AMAZING dog-friendly, off-leash beach: called Arroyo Burro. 

Map of Central California Dog Beaches

Our list of dog-friendly beaches in Central California will start in Santa Barbara & head north, ending in Carmel. 

1. Arroyo Burro Beach, in Santa Barbara 
2. Olde Port Beach, in Avila Beach
3. Morro Bay Dog Beach
4. Cayucos State Beach
5. San Simeon Cove (by Hearst Castle)
6. Carmel’s Main Beach

Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California

1. Arroyo Burro Beach, in Santa Barbara

Little did I know, all the years I’ve traveled to Santa Barbara….they have an actual off-leash, 100% dog-friendly beach!!  Who knew?!  My puppy & I visited Arroyo Burro Beach just two months ago, while driving back home to Oregon.  It was rainy & windy, & we basically had the beach to ourselves.  The closest parking lot has restrooms (a major plus whilst road-tripping) & about 20-30 parking spots; there’s also another larger, overflow lot just around the corner.  You cross a small wash (which I’ve heard gets flooded at times) to reach the dog beach on the left, but then you have a nice long & wide beach to play on! 

Other Nearby Dog-Friendly Walk: Just above Arroyo Burro Beach sits the Douglas Family Preserve, a dog-friendly, open area that runs along the cliffs.  Just be careful that your dog(s) don’t get too close to the edge!

Charlie & I visited Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara on a rainy day in January 2021, & had the beach virtually to ourselves!

High cliffs border Arroyo Burro, & on top of them lies another off-leash dog area: the Douglas Family Preserve. Just be careful with your pups close to the cliff’s edge!

***My Top Dog-Friendly Hotel Pick(s) in Santa Barbara: For upscale, pet-friendly hotels here, try the Four Seasons Biltmore or Belmond’s El Encanto, which sits atop a hill overlooking the ocean.  If you want to save money but still want to be on the beach: check out the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

2. Olde Port Beach, in Avila Beach

I’ve heard from people over the years just how dog-friendly Avila Beach is.  They’ve essentially got two dog-friendly beaches: Olde Port Beach, which allows dogs off-leash ALL DAY, every day, & Avila’s Main Beach, which allows dogs on-leash before 10AM & after 5PM.  Because I usually stay in nearby Pismo Beach, Avila’s a great option for getting the dog(s) out for a morning run.  Take the bridge out of Avila, & you’ll find Olde Port Beach on your left; park along the road & take the ramp down to the beach.  

Olde Port Beach (pictured) is located north of the Avila Pier, & allows off-leash dogs ALL DAY. Avila’s main beach only allows leashed dogs before 10AM & after 5PM.

***My Top Dog-Friendly Hotel Pick by Avila Beach: I’ve stayed at the Shorecliff Hotel in Pismo Beach, right on the cliffs ~ & had the most AMAZING view of the pier & ocean!  If you want to stay right in Avila Beach, try the Avila La Fonda Hotel.

Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California

3. Morro Bay Dog Beach

Though it’s called Morro Bay Dog Beach ~ the actual location of this off-leash beach is just north of Morro Bay, right before you reach Cayucos.  (Note: Dogs are also allowed at Cayucos State Beach, on-leash.)  Look for Toro Creek Road, which is located just south of Elephant Rock.  Turn left into the long, sandy parking lot that runs parallel to the beach, & holds room for about 20 cars.  From there, you’re steps away from the beach & another off-leash opportunity for your pup! 

Other Great Dog Walks in Morro Bay: It’s fun to walk around Morro’s downtown with your pup, then down to the harbor, listening to the seals bark along the way!  You can also walk along the beach to Morro Rock; the dunes all around it are a lovely spot for you & your dog to roam (on-leash).

North of Morro Bay, closer to Cayucos, lies Morro Bay Dog Beach ~ which allows dogs all day, every day!

***My Top Dog-Friendly Hotel Picks in Morro Bay: I’ve written a whole article on spending the day in Morro Bay with your pup ~ which can be found here.  The adorable Pleasant Inn has a perfect location downtown & is a steal at less than $100/night!

4. San Simeon Cove

I LOVE Hearst Castle!!!  Ohhh….the hilltop majesty that is William Randolph Heart’s (& his renowned architect, Julia Morgan’s) wild creation.  Visiting Hearst Castle when you’re traveling with a pet, though is…..nearly impossible, I’m afraid.  But if you’re headed up to Big Sur or Carmel: know that you can stop at San Simeon Cove, across from Hearst Castle, for an off-leash dog romp!  This was news to me, & I learned of this beach from two lovely gentlemen I met in Cambria: they gave me the “local scoop.” 

Walk to the right of the San Simeon Pier to reach the off-leash dog area,& the beautiful emerald waters of San Simeon Cove.  Also note: every other beach in San Simeon is dog-friendly ~ but they must be on-leash.  This includes the campgrounds at William Randolph Hearst State Beach, as well as Hearst San Simeon State Beach.

Head to the right of the pier in San Simeon & you’ll find a gorgeous cove where your dogs can run free & play in the ocean…

***My Top Dog-Friendly Hotel Pick by San Simeon: Lots of hotels in Cambria are pet-friendly ~ including several along oceanfront Moonstone Drive.  The Sea Otter Inn & The Fogcatcher Inn are two quaint, pet-friendly options.

Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California

5. Carmel Beach

If you keep heading north from San Simeon, you’ll find 90 miles of twisty-turny, ocean-hugging highway: this entire stretch is known as the Big Sur coastline.  And none of it is very dog-friendly, as you’re simply too high above the water in most places.  But after that sensationally gorgeous 90-mile stretch, a dog-friendly haven like no other awaits: & that is Carmel Beach.  Also called Carmel-by-the-Sea, this small seaside hamlet is one of the most dog-friendly places in the world ~ & if you head down Ocean Avenue, through the heart of town, it will eventually end right at Carmel Beach: my personal most favorite dog beach in the world.

Big Sur is absolutely STUNNING ~ but its steep cliffs & hard-to-access beaches make it not particularly dog-friendly.

Dogs Love Carmel Beach…

Over a mile long, & with world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course on its right flank, Carmel is a glorious beach to walk ~ with or without a dog.  But if you walk it with a dog, you’ll doubtless meet plenty of locals & tourists, also watching their dogs run free with big old smiles on their faces….it’s that kind of a place.  Note: Ocean Avenue ends in a large parking lot where you can access Carmel Beach, but if it’s full: park pretty much anywhere along Scenic Road (& ogle the multi-million dollar homes)! 

Other Great Dog Walks in the Carmel Area: Ohhh man….there are TONS!!  If you enjoy hiking, head 10-minutes inland to Garland Ranch Regional Park ~ there are countless dog-friendly trails here with great, pastoral views.  I also love walking along the ocean in Pacific Grove, starting at Lover’s Point & heading towards Asilomar State Beach.  In Carmel, you can visit Carmel River State Beach with your pup ~ but dogs need to be on-leash.  The parking lot is small here, keeping this beach far quieter than Carmel’s Main Beach.

My all-time favorite off-leash dog beach EVER: Carmel Beach.

If there is a “Doggie Heaven-on-Earth,” it very well may be Carmel Beach. Photo by GoPetFriendly.com

Carmel River State Beach (pictured here) is a hidden GEM, & also dog-friendly, though dogs must stay on leash here. In my opinion, it’s even more gorgeous than Carmel’s Main Beach.

***My Top Dog-Friendly Hotel Pick(s) in Carmel: I’ve written a whole article on this topic ~ which can be found here.  Doris Day’s Cypress Inn is a well-known dog-friendly haunt, & La Playa is another pet-friendly option with beautiful views.

Best Off-Leash Dog Beaches in Central California