Mitchell's Cove Beach

Mitchell's Cove Beach

West Cliff Dr. and Almar Ave.
Santa Cruz, California 95060
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While DogTrekker regularly updates off-leash rules, it is important to check to be sure that this area still allows voice control prior to removing your dog’s leash.

This pretty beach, which is administered by the City of Santa Cruz, allows leashed dogs at any time.

Dogs are allowed to run off-leash on the beach between sunrise and 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to sunset.

This beach area is unfenced but has natural barriers, a cliff on one side and ocean on the other, which will keep most dogs on the beach.

If you have a climber on your hands, you should keep them on leash.

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

dogtrekker.com, dog friendly, leash-free, beach, santa cruz

Sun, sand and tail-waggin' good times
Maya heads into the surf at Sunny Cove Beach. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Maya heads into the surf at Sunny Cove Beach. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
If you and your pup don't live on the coast, you probably crave some surf and sand from time to time. Start at Mitchell's Cove, the number one dog beach in Santa Cruz. It's the first strand up the coast from the lighthouse on West Cliff Drive, where you can walk for miles with your leashed dog. Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline for 29 more miles of beautiful beachfront, including 15 beaches that welcome pups.

Here’s your complete guide to the region’s dog-friendly beach scene. more »
Cruz The California Coast
Beach Time! Photo Credit: Visit Santa Cruz County
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
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
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, 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 »
Hugging the Coast in Santa Cruz County
Beach time for Ranger, Mitchell
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
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 Waves With Your Pup
Splash! Photo Credit: @Sweetd67
Splash! Photo Credit: @Sweetd67
For water-loving canines, nothing beats fetching a bright yellow tennis ball from the surf and romping full speed ahead on a sandy beach. But while there’s plenty of sand to share with your leashed pup along California’s 840 miles of coastline, you should know before you go where dogs are and aren’t allowed to get their ya-yas out. Here are a few of our favorite off-leash strands: more »
Chasing Surf With Your Dog in Santa Cruz County
Dog at the lighthouse in Santa Cruz
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 »
Cruising With Cosmo in Santa Cruz County
Seacliff State Beach
On the pier at Seacliff State Beach
With 29 miles of beaches studding its extensive coastline,  Santa Cruz County has plenty of room for DogTrekkers. Not all strands are dog-friendly, and all but one of those that are require four-legged visitors to be leashed. But don’t let that turn you off or away: the scenery is stunning and the county is so dog-friendly in other ways that you and your tail-wagger won’t have trouble finding ways to enjoy a fall getaway.

Santa Cruz city officials, who two years ago lifted a ban on dogs downtown, are now dithering about dog policies at area beaches. Meanwhile, visitors who long to get some sand underfoot can stick to the tried and true. more »
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