Dog-Friendly Recreation Areas in Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove, California

Dog-Friendly Recreation Areas

There is no doubt that dogs provide great company when visiting Monterey County. Our list of recreation areas that allow dogs in Monterey County is a handy tool when planning your doggy day. Please note that each beach, park or city enforce different restrictions, such as leash rules, so be aware of these policies to avoid any bad experience.

* If you find any errors in our compiled list, please email us.

Big Sur

Pfeiffer Burns State Park

26 miles south of Carmel on Hwy 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2315
Visit Website
Services: 1000 acres of wilderness, hiking trails and campsites permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash no longer than 6 feet; dogs not permitted in buildings or on trails; current rabies and license required.

NOTE: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is closed until further notice due to road closures, rock slides and dangerous conditions on Highway 1.

Riverside Campground and Cabins

Highway 1, 22 miles south of Carmel By The Sea
(831) 667-2414
www.riversidecampground.com
Services: 2 dogs per site or cabin. Fee of $20 per night per dog for cabins, $5 per night per dog for campsite.
Restrictions: All dogs must be on leash and attended at all times.

Bradley

Lake San Antonio

2610 San Antonio Road
Bradley, CA 93426
(831) 385-8322
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/sanantonio.html
Services: Freshwater recreation area offering year-round activities such as hiking, boating and camping; leashed dogs permitted.
Restrictions: Leash no longer than 7 feet; proof of current rabies. No pets allowed on swimming beach or in private resort areas.

California State Parks – Monterey District

1416 – 9th St.
Sacramento, CA 94296
(831) 649-2836
Contact: Vicki Stilwell
www.parks.ca.gov
Services: Leashed dogs allowed on the following beaches: Monterey State Beach, Asilomar, Garrapata, Carmel River.
Restrictions: Dogs must by on leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs not permitted in buildings or on trails. Current rabies and license required.

Dogs not allowed on the following beaches as they are nesting sites for federally listed threatened Western Snowy Plover:

Zmudowski, Moss Landing, Marina, Salinas River, Seaside, Andrew Molera and Point Lobos.

Carmel

Carmel Beach

Foot of Ocean Avenue in Carmel
(831) 624-3543
www.carmelcalifornia.com
Services: Public beach allowing dogs off leash
Restrictions: Must be current on rabies and license; within immediate voice control.

Garrapata State Park/Beach

Highway One, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel
(831) 624-4909
www.parks.ca.gov
Services: Two miles of beachfront and 2,879 acres of coastal wilderness and trails; dogs permitted on leash.
Restrictions: Must be on leash 6 feet or shorter; beware of strong surf.

Carmel River State Beach

Carmelo Street 1 mile south of Ocean Avenue in Camel
(831) 649-2836
Visit Website
Services: Mile-long beach and bird sanctuary permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Must be on leash 6 feet or shorter; beware of strong surf.

Garland Ranch Regional Park

700 W. Carmel Valley
8.6 miles east of Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road
(831) 372-3196
www.mprpd.org/garland-ranch-regional-park
Services: 4500 acre park allowing dogs and pack animals.
Restrictions: Dogs on leash no longer than 7 feet or within immediate voice control.

Goleta

Los Padres National Forest

6755 Hollister Ave., Ste 150
Goleta, CA 93117
(800) 968-6640
www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
Services: Hiking trails and camping areas; 2 million acres of natural recreation in the California coastal area; dogs permitted.
Restrictions: Must be on leash in developed recreation sites. Pets not allowed in swimming areas (except guide dogs). Saddle or pack animals allowed as posted only.

King City

San Lorenzo Park

1160 Broadway
King City, CA 93930
(831) 385-5964
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/san_lorenzo.html
Services: Picturesque park along the Salinas river featuring picnic facilities and camping permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash with current rabies and license. Entrance fee charged; additional $4 per dog per night charged for camping.

Monterey

Jack’s Peak County Park

25020 Jack’s Peak Park Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 588-2267
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/jackspeak.html
Services: 8.5 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails permitting dogs and pack animals.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash, entrance fee charged, current rabies and license.

Monterey County Parks (general information)

PO Box 5249
Salinas, CA 93915
(831) 755-4899
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/
Services: Six parks within Monterey County which permit leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Must be on leash; current rabies/license; entrance fees charged; additional charges of $4 per dog per night apply for camping.

Quarry Park

Via Gayuba and Via Del Pinar
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3865
www.monterey.org/publicworks/parks.html
Services: 10 acres of natural park with hiking trails; leashed dogs permitted
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash 6 foot or less; current rabies and license required.

Nonterey Bay Coastal Trail

18 miles along the coast from Pacific Grove to Castroville
(831) 372-3196
www.mprpd.org
Services: Paved coastal trail; dogs permitted; some dog pick-up stations.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash no longer than 6 feet; current rabies and license.

Veteran’s Memorial Park

Skyline Drive and Jefferson Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3865
www.monterey.org/rec/vetspark.html
Services: 50 acre park with overnight camping, walking trails, and lawn area allowing leashed pets.
Restrictions: Pets must be leashed, current rabies/license required.

Del Monte Beach

East of Wharf No. 2 adjacent to Tide Avenue and Surf Way
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3860
www.monterey.org/publicworks/parks.html
Services: Beach and recreation area permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Leash must be 6 feet or less and held or tied fast at all times; excrement must be picked up; current rabies and license required.

El Estero Park

Camino El Estero and Fremont Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3860
www.monterey.org/publicworks/parks.html
Services: 45 acre city park with a lake and walking trails; dogs permitted.
Restrictions: 6 foot or shorter leash; current rabies/license required.

Monterey Dog Park *

The City of Monterey has a dog park where your dog can run off leash. The park is located across from the Monterey Youth Center and the lake in El Estero Park. There are separate areas for small dogs and larger dogs. Water is available; however, you need to bring your own container.

City of Monterey – Parks and Forestry (general information)

23 Ryan Ranch Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3860
www.monterey.org/publicworks/parks.html
Services: Parks, trails and beaches within the city of Monterey that permit leashed dogs: El Estero Park, Beach area east of Wharf No. 2, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Recreation Trail.
Restrictions: Leash must be 6 feet or shorter and held or tied fast at all times; excrement must be picked up; current rabies and license required.

Pacific Grove

Asilomar State Beach

Adjacent to Sunset Drive
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 372-4076
www.parks.ca.gov
Services: One-mile beach and 3/4 coastal walking trail open to pedestrians and leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Leash no longer than 6 feet; current rabies and license required.

Lynn “Rip” Van Winkle Open Space *

Between Sunset Drive and Forest Lodge Road along Congress Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 648-5730
www.cityofpacificgrove.org/living/recreation/parks/lynn-rip-van-winkle-open-space
Services: Narrow ribbon of open space featuring wild, forested terrain.
Restrictions: Dogs must have current rabies/license and be under immediate voice control.

George Washington Park *

Short Street to Pine Street between Melrose and Alder
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 648-5730
www.cityofpacificgrove.org/living/recreation/parks/george-washington-park
Services: Forested park with unpaved trails permitting off-leash dogs during certain hours.
Restrictions: Dogs allowed off-leash before 9 am or after 4 pm, on the north side of Pine Street only. Must have current rabies and license and be under immediate voice control.

Salinas

Rossi Rico Linear Parkway

701 Victor Street
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-7217
www.ci.salinas.ca.us
Services: 10 acres with turf permitting leashed dogs, walking and jogging paths.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash with current rabies and license.

Natividad Creek Park

1395 Nogal Drive
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-7217
www.ci.salinas.ca.us
Services: 64 acres of nature trails permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash with current rabies and license.

Toro County Park

501 Monterey-Salinas Highway 68
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 755-4899
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/toro.html
Services: 20 miles of riding and hiking trails permitting leashed dogs and pack animals.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash, entrance fee charged, current rabies and license.

Laguna Seca Recreation Area

1025 Monterey-Salinas Highway 68
Salians, CA 93908
(831) 755-4899
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/lagunaseca.html
Services: Camping and picnic areas permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash, entrance fee charged, current rabies and license. Additional $4 per dog per night for camping. Dogs not permitted during special events/races.

Watsonville

Royal Oaks Park

537 Maher Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
(831) 755-4899
www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks/royaloaks.html
Services: Day-use facility featuring picnic sites and miles of hiking trails permitting leashed dogs.
Restrictions: Dogs must be on leash, entrance fee charged, current rabies and license, additional $4 per night per dog charged for camping.