Are you looking for the best dog friendly beaches in Marin County, California?
You are? Great! Then you’ve found the right website.
We’ve got loads of pup-friendly information on the top beaches in Marin County that allow dogs.
So what are you waiting for?! Come on in and find out more!
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Table of contents
1. Dillon Beach
- 1 Beach Avenue, Dillon Beach, CA 94929
- You must keep your dog on a leash between the parking lot and the high tide line
- Dogs are allowed off-leash between the tide line and the ocean at Dillon Beach
- Free beach parking daily before 9am, after 3pm in winter and after 6pm in summer
- At other times, a day pass is $10 per vehicle during the week and $15 on weekends and holidays
Dillon Beach in Marin County is the only privately-owned beach in northern California. It’s owned by the Dillon Beach Resort, which occupies 55 coastal acres on the Marin-Sonoma County Line.
Dillon Beach is located towards the southern end of Bodega Bay. It’s just over 4 miles west of the small town of Tomales. And approximately 90 minutes north of San Francisco.
This beautiful beach is a popular spot for surfing, tidepooling, and beach walking.
A Fantastic Marin County Dog-Friendly Beach
Amenities include a cafe, and a general store and surf shop.
And the very best part about Dillon Beach is that you’re allowed to have your dog off leash here! As long as your pup is under voice control at all times. And you keep between the high tide line and the ocean.
Dillon Beach truly is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Marin County.
Website: Dillon Beach
2. Kehoe Beach
- Pierce Point Road, Inverness, CA 94937
- Quiet, secluded beach
- Dogs are allowed on leash on the northern part of Kehoe Beach
- No official parking lot, but you’ll find parking spaces along Pierce Point Road, at the trailhead
- Waves here can be large and strong, so take care near the surf
Kehoe Beach lies towards the northern end of the Point Reyes National Seashore in California.
This beautiful National Seashore contains around 80 miles of shoreline.
You have to hike for a little over half a mile (around 1 kilometer) to get to Kehoe Beach.
This is a wonderful beach to bring your furry friend to for some fresh air, exercise and recreation.
Keep Your Dog On A Leash At Kehoe Beach in Marin County
However, be mindful that the waves along this part of the National Seashore can be large and strong. So never turn your back to the ocean at Kehoe Beach. And never attempt (or let your pup attempt) to go for a swim.
Oh, and remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times when at Kehoe Beach.
This is a wonderful Marin County dog beach. Go and check it out!
Website: Kehoe Beach
3. Bolinas Beach
- Brighton Avenue and Cliff Road, Bolinas, CA 94924
- Fun, clean beach for dogs
- Dogs are allowed off leash at Bolinas Beach
- Free street parking (but get there early!)
- Popular surfing and bodyboarding spot
Bolinas Beach in Marin County is located on Bolinas Bay, just outside of the Point Reyes National Seashore.
It lies approximately 30 minutes south of Point Reyes Station. And Stinson Beach is less than 20 minutes away.
San Francisco is a little over an hour’s drive from Bolinas Beach.
The waves here are not dangerous, and are small enough to be lots of fun. Perfect for pups that love to paddle or swim!
Consequently, it’s a popular spot for surfers and bodyboarders – particularly beginners.
Easily One Of The Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Marin County
The main beach access is at the end of Brighton Avenue. As a result, it’s often called Brighton Beach. Public restrooms are available next to the tennis courts.
The free street parking and the fact that dogs are allowed off leash at Bolinas Beach CA, make this easily one of the best dog friendly beaches in Marin County.
Website: Bolinas Beach (also known as Brighton Beach)
4. Limantour Beach
- Limantour Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
- Beautiful wide beach, with small, calm, safe waves
- Leashed dogs are allowed along 2 miles of Limantour Beach
- Good large parking lot near the beach
- Harbor seals are often seen bobbing offshore
Limantour Beach is a part of the beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore.
It’s a south-facing beach located on Drakes Bay (named after Sir Francis Drake), close to Santa Maria Beach and Sculptured Beach.
As a result of its southerly-facing direction, the waves at Limantour Beach are usually much smaller than those on the west-facing beaches of Point Reyes.
So this is a great place to bring your furball for a good paddle, as it’s really safe.
Dogs Are Not Allowed On Limantour Spit
The 2-mile stretch of beach that dogs are allowed on, runs from the main parking lot toward the southeast, until the beach starts to get rocky.
You must keep your dog on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times whilst at the beach. And note that dogs are not allowed on Limantour Spit, to the west of the main parking lot.
If you’re lucky, you might see harbor seals out in the ocean, as they are often seen bobbing offshore.
Limantour Beach is a fantastic dog beach in Marin County.
Website: Limantour Beach
5. Rodeo Beach
- 1049 Mitchell Road and Kirkpatrick Street, Mill Valley, Sausalito, CA 94941
- A gorgeous, wide pebble beach on a sand spit
- Dogs are allowed off-leash at Rodeo Beach, if under full voice control
- Very photogenic location, with stunning sunsets
- Easy access from nearby San Francisco
Rodeo Beach is a beautiful barrier beach in the dog-friendly Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The beach is made up of multi-colored pebbles. It is located on the sand spit that separates Rodeo Cove from Rodeo Lagoon on the west side of the Marin Headlands.
Rodeo Beach enjoys an absolutely fantastic location. It’s just 11 miles from downtown San Francisco, across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Rodeo Beach Is Easily Accessible
Marin City is just 7 miles away – less than a 15 minute drive. And beautiful Sausalito, with its stunning views of the Bay Area, is a mere 5 miles away.
So it’s very easily accessible.
The Rodeo Beach parking lot and picnic area are on Mitchell Road, next to Fort Cronkhite.
There are good amenities here as well, including restrooms, on-site barbecues and picnic tables. And some fabulous local hiking trails.
Rodeo Beach Is One Of The Best Dog Beaches in Marin County
But the best thing by far, of course, is that your dog can run around, off-leash, to its heart’s content! Just so long as she’s under full voice control.
That alone makes Rodeo Beach one of the best Marin County dog-friendly beaches.
Take a trip there with your pup. The two of you are sure to love it!
Website: Rodeo Beach
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Marin County
Marin County is a great place to bring your dog.
There are some truly beautiful beaches in this part of California, many of which permit dogs on them.
If you’re looking for some off-leash beach action with your pup, then head to Dillon Beach, Bolinas Beach or Rodeo Beach.
Or if you’re after a huge beach with calm, safe waves, and a chance to see harbor seals, then Limantour Beach is the place for you.
Alternatively, if you’re prepared for a short hike to get to a gorgeous, quiet, secluded beach, take a trip to Kehoe Beach.
So if you’re looking for some fantastic dog friendly beaches, Marin County in California is a great place to go!
So what do YOU think? Which is YOUR favorite dog beach in Marin County? Let us know by leaving a comment – we’d love to hear from you.
Things change all the time, so if any of the information in this article is incorrect or out-of-date, please let us know – just leave us a comment below. Many thanks!
If you’ve enjoyed finding out all about the best dog friendly beaches in Marin County, then take a look at our comprehensive round-up of some of the best dog beaches in the US
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Friendly Beaches in Marin County
Lots of beaches in Marin County allow dogs. Some of the best include Bolinas Beach, Rodeo Beach and Dillon Beach, which all allow dogs off-leash. Other great Marin County dog beaches include Muir Beach, Upton Beach, San Quentin Beach, Agate Beach, Limantour Beach and Kehoe Beach.
Yes, you can bring dogs to Muir Beach. You must either keep your dog on a leash or under full voice control whilst at the beach together.
Yes, dogs are allowed at Dillon Beach. So long as you keep between the high tide line and the ocean, you can let your dog off leash at Dillon Beach.
