Lighthouse Field State Beach

701 West Cliff Dr.
Santa Cruz, California 95060
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Local Phone: (831) 420-5270

This is a popular surfing beach and home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. The park encompasses Point Santa Cruz on the border with Monterey County. Monarch butterflies overwinter here, adding to its interest. Leash or no leash, it's a gorgeous piece of real estate.

Dogs are allowed on leashes no longer than 6 feet.

Help us keep this beach beautiful and dog-friendly:
• Always follow the posted rules
• Respect natural marine life and habitats
• Be aware of tides and currents
• Pack in and pack out, leaving only paw prints

Cruz The California Coast

Beach Time! Photo Credit: Visit Santa Cruz County

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline, and you’ll be tempted by 29 miles of beaches (15 of them dog-friendly) along the way. Only one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free, and then only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. But no worries: there are plenty of other strands to explore provided you keep a tether stretched between you. more »

Mitchell’s Cove, Santa Cruz County

We found a cave! Photo Credit: @phantompoodleparti

• Mitchell’s Cove, Santa Cruz County. This pretty city beach just off West Cliff Drive allows leashed dogs at any time, while leash-free romping is permitted between sunrise and 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to sunset. more »

Kissing the Santa Cruz Coast

Photo Credit: @mrkobeandme

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline, and you’ll be tempted by 29 miles of beaches (15 of them dog-friendly) along the way. Only one, M itchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free, and then only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. But no worries: there are plenty of other strands to explore provided you keep a tether stretched between you. more »

Hugging the Coast in Santa Cruz County

Beach time for Ranger, Mitchell's Cove. Photo Credit: @rangerthedogo

You’re never far from the water when following the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) through Santa Cruz County. The curvy coastline is studded with 29 miles of beaches providing lots of options for DogTrekkers. Fifteen strands are dog-friendly, and one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free during daylight hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. more »

Catch a Wave

Rocky at Mitchell's Cove Beach. Photo Credit: @little_rocky_balboa

Whatever your motivation for coming to Santa Cruz County, sooner or later you and your pup will want to chase some waves and get some sand between your toes. With 29 miles of coastline, there are lots of places to go, including 15 strands that welcome leashed dogs and one, Mitchell’s Cove, that is legally leash-free before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. more »

Chasing Surf With Your Dog in Santa Cruz County

Photo credit: lostintheredwoods (CC)

Santa Cruz County’s curvy coastline is studded with some 29 miles of beaches providing lots of options for DogTrekkers. Fifteen strands are dog-friendly, and one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free during daylight hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. more »

Lighthouse Field State Beach

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