Interested in finding out about some of the best dog friendly beaches in Orange County? Then read on…
Orange County, often simply referred to as O.C., lies in Southern California.
It’s located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Orange County is home to almost 3.2 million people. It includes the cities of Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, as well as many others.
The county contains arguably Southern California’s most famous beaches along its 42 miles of spectacular coastline.
Among those 42 miles lie some fabulous places to take your furry friends.
So come and join us on an adventure to explore some of the best beaches in Orange County that allow dogs!
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contents
1. Huntington Dog Beach
- 100 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
- Huntington Dog Beach is the only off-leash dog beach in Orange County!
- Dog beach and parking open daily from 5am to 10pm
- Metered parking available for $2.50 per hour in two lots along the Pacific Coast Highway
- Excellent amenities
- Please be mindful of leashed dogs that may be new to the environment
- Dogs must be leashed in the parking lot and on the upper bluff
- A fantastic sandy retreat for frolicking canines!
Consistently voted one of the best beaches for dogs in the whole of the USA, Huntington Dog Beach is an absolute must for any dog parent visiting Orange County.
This is THE place to see and be seen in Orange County (for dog lovers, anyway!) The vibe here is a relaxing one, where you and your pup can have tons of fun!
If either of you are sociable, then this is a great place to hang out for a few hours. You’ll definitely meet other friendly dog owners here.
We’ve got a whole, in-depth article dedicated to Huntington Beach Dog Beach – it really IS that good!
2. Corona Del Mar Dog Beach
- 3001 Ocean Boulevard, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
- Dogs allowed on Corona Del Mar Dog Beach before 10am and after 4:30pm only
- Beach and parking open daily between 6am and 10pm
- Gorgeous half-mile long sandy beach
- Beach reached via an access road near intersection of Iris Street and Ocean Boulevard
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Corona Del Mar State Beach
- Leash must not exceed six feet in length
- The beach is much smaller at high tide, so aim to go at low tide if possible
Corona Del Mar State Beach is often referred to as Corona Del Mar Dog Beach by local dog lovers.
It is a beautiful, wide, flat, sandy beach, half a mile in length. However, the beach does get much smaller at high tide. So it’s better to take your pup there at low tide, if at all possible.
Corona Del Mar State Beach is operated by the City of Newport Beach.
One Of The Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Orange County
The Corona Del Mar Municipal Lot is the closest parking lot to the beach. There are also a couple of other parking lots very close by. Restrooms are available at the edge of the beach, close to the parking lots.
Corona Del Mar State Beach Park is just a short 20-minute drive south from Huntington Beach Dog Beach on Highway 1.
Corona Del Mar Dog Beach is a great dog-friendly beach in Orange County, California.
Website: Corona Del Mar Dog Beach
3. Newport Beach
- 3201 West Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Dogs allowed on Newport Beach in Orange County before 10am and after 4:30pm only
- Beach and parking open daily between 6am and 10pm
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Newport Beach
- Leash must not exceed six feet in length
- Metered parking is available, at $1.50 per hour, with a maximum stay of 6 hours
Newport Beach in Orange County enjoys a fantastic location, approximately halfway between Huntington Dog Beach and Corona Del Mar Dog Beach.
It’s on the Balboa Peninsula, a stunning 3-mile stretch of land, named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
Newport Beach is a great place to take a stroll with your pup in the evening and watch the sunset.
This is a beautiful Orange County dog beach.
Website: Newport Beach
4. Laguna Beach Dog Beach
- Shaws Cove, Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Shaws Cove beach is open year round, from 6am to 10pm every day
- From June 15 to September 10, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9am and after 6pm only
- From September 11 to June 14, dogs are allowed at Shaws Cove Laguna Beach during regular beach hours (6am to 10pm, daily)
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Laguna Beach Dog Beach (Shaws Cove)
- Leash must not exceed six feet in length
- Metered parking is available along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
- Beautiful, secluded beach, approximately 500 feet in length
Laguna Beach Dog Beach in Orange County, California, is based at Shaws Cove.
Shaws Cove is one of the many dog-friendly beaches in Southern California. It’s a beautiful, secluded beach, open to dogs all year round.
The beach at Shaws Cove Laguna Beach is a lovely flat bit of sand, with wonderful natural boundaries to the north and south. It’s approximately 500 feet in length.
Laguna Beach Dog Rules
Laguna Beach dog rules state that in the busy summer months (June 15 to September 10), dogs are permitted on the beach ONLY before 9am and after 6pm.
However, for the rest of the year, dogs are allowed at Shaws Cove during regular beach hours. So from 6am to 10pm, every day.
Parking is available along Cliff Drive, as well as along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Note that there are only limited facilities at the beach.
Website: Laguna Beach Dog Beach
5. Aliso Beach
- 2 Monterey Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Aliso Beach is open year round, from 6am to 10pm every day
- From June 15 to September 10, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9am and after 6pm only
- From September 11 to June 14, dogs are allowed at Aliso Beach during regular beach hours (6am to 10pm, daily)
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Aliso Beach
- Leash must not exceed six feet in length
- Parking lot open from 6am to 10pm year-round, at $1 per hour
- Free outdoor showers available, for both you and your pup to rinse off
Aliso Beach, also known as Aliso Beach Park, is a beautiful dog-friendly beach in south Laguna Beach, California.
It’s a lovely sandy beach, popular with locals and visitors alike.
Aliso Beach is located just 3 miles south of Laguna Beach Dog Beach. And it’s also just a few minutes away from the wonderfully-named Treasure Island Beach.
A Fantastic Orange County Dog Friendly Beach
There are good facilities here, but make sure to come prepared with water and waste bags.
Although Aliso Beach itself is safe, Aliso Creek, on the other side of the Pacific Coast Highway, is not. Contact with the creek water may cause illness.
So please make sure to stay on the beach and don’t take your furry friend over to the creek area.
Website: Aliso Beach
6. San Onofre Dog Beach
- Old Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Club Road, San Clemente, CA 92672
- Located in San Onofre State Beach, a designated California state park
- Park open daily, from 6am to sunset
- Leashed dogs are allowed on Beach 1 and Beach 6 at San Onofre State Beach
- Take Trail 1 or Trail 6 down to the respective beach
- Dogs must be on a leash on the trails
- Amazing location, with stunning views
- A chance to see whales, dolphins and sea lions swimming and playing in the ocean
Though not technically in Orange County, San Onofre State Beach is a gorgeous California state park, located just across the border in neighboring San Diego County.
The San Onofre Dog Beaches are Beach 1 and Beach 6. They are both located at Bluffs Beach. Numbered trails lead down the steep bluff to the beach.
Follow Trail 1 to Beach 1, or Trail 6 to Beach 6.
The park is massive, at 3,000 acres.
You’ll find sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, crashing waves and lots of pups at San Onofre Dog Beach.
This is truly one of the best dog friendly beaches in Orange County!
Website: San Onofre Dog Beach
7. Dana Point Dog Beach
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches in Dana Point in Orange County, California.
However, there are plenty of dog-friendly places in Dana Point that you can take your dog to instead.
These include the Dana Point Bluff Top Trail and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
There’s also the Dana Point Harbor area and the fantastic Dog Fun Zone at Creekside Park, which is not to be missed!
Conclusion About Dog Friendly Beaches in Orange County
For dog parents and their furry friends, there are plenty of dog beaches in Orange County, California.
Whatever kind of beach experience you and your pup are looking for, you’re bound to find it at one of the beautiful Orange County dog-friendly beaches.
From Huntington Dog Beach in the north of the county, to San Onofre Dog Beach in the south, Orange County really has got it all.
It’s a true pup paradise!
So what do YOU think? Which is YOUR favorite dog beach in Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange County
Yes, dogs are allowed on many of the Orange County beaches. There are usually restrictions, though, so do check on official websites for up-to-date information before you visit.
Dogs are allowed at Newport Beach in Orange County before 10am and after 4:30pm only. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Newport Beach.
Dogs are allowed at Corona Del Mar Beach before 10am and after 4:30pm only. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Corona Del Mar Beach.
Yes, you can take your dog to Laguna Beach all year round. From September 11 to June 14, dogs are allowed at Shaws Cove Laguna Beach during regular beach hours (6am to 10pm, daily). From June 15 to September 10, dogs are allowed on the beach before 9am and after 6pm ONLY. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when on Laguna Beach Dog Beach (Shaws Cove).
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on San Clemente State Beach. However, you can bring your dog to Beach 1 and Beach 6 on Bluffs Beach at San Onofre State Beach, just 5 miles south of San Clemente State Beach.
