Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, CA (With Pictures)

Key Takeaways

The 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, California
San Clemente State Beach
Cress Street Beach

two Happy welsh corgi pembroke dogs at a beach

San Clemente, California, is a beach destination ideal for all types of travelers. The sun, sand, and surf make it an enjoyable place to spend the day or weekend with family or friends. What’s even better is that San Clemente and the surrounding area have some of the best pet-friendly beaches in the Golden State!

Here are our top 10 picks of dog-friendly beaches in and near San Clemente, California.

The 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, California

1. San Clemente State Beach

This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
Beautiful views of the San Clemente Pier and the surrounding coastline
The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
Cabanas are available for rent
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

2. Cress Street Beach

The waves are great for surfing or boogie-boarding
Small grass area, perfect for picnicking
The beach is lined with palm trees and other coastal vegetation
A few beach chairs are dotted along the sand
No dogs allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 15 to September 10
Dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

3. San Onofre State Beach

This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
The beaches that are dog-friendly include Beach 1 and Beach 6
Beautiful views of the San Onofre Bluffs and the surrounding coastline
The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
Camping is available in designated areas of this state park
Dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

4. Capistrano Beach

A 10-minute drive from San Clemente
From June 15 to September 10, dogs are not permitted on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent
The beach has a concession stand with snacks and drinks
Some areas are occasionally closed due to climate damage or erosion
Dogs must remain on a leash, and owners must clean up after their pets

5. Doheny State Beach

A 15-minute drive from San Clemente
Beautiful views of the harbor and marina
Several areas are designated for surfing, fishing, and swimming
The boardwalk is great for taking a leisurely stroll with your pup
A concession stand is located near the entrance of the beach so you can grab snacks on the go
Amenities include restrooms, showers, and BBQ grills
Dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

6. Aliso Beach Park

A 20-minute drive from San Clemente
Dogs are not permitted on the beaches between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from June 15 to September 10
This beach is packed with amenities, such as restrooms, showers, BBQ pits, and picnic tables
The beach offers beautiful views of the ocean and is great for swimming or building sandcastles
Several areas are designated for surfing, fishing, and bodyboarding
Dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

7. Huntington Dog Beach

A 45-minute drive from San Clemente
One of the only off-leash dog beaches in the area
An ideal beach for pups to play off-leash with other dogs
Beautiful views of the Huntington Beach pier and the surrounding coastline
Concession stands are available for snacks on the go
Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas, and owners must clean up after their pets

8. San Elijo State Beach

A 45-minute drive from San Clemente
This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
Beautiful views of the nearby surf spots and cliffs
The beach is great for swimming, surfing, fishing, and more
Several areas are designated for camping in the sand dunes
Dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets

9. Coronado Dog Beach

A 1-hour-and-15-minute drive from San Clemente
Great off-leash beach and dog park
This beach is great for swimming or playing with your pup
Sand is soft and perfect for lounging on a sunny day
Beautiful views of the Coronado Bay and San Diego skyline
Several areas are designated for picnicking, fishing, and surfing
Concession stand is available for snacks
Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas, and owners must clean up after their pets

10. Dog Beach San Diego

A 1-hour-and-15-minute drive from San Clemente
Great off-leash dog beach
Sand is soft and perfect for lying out on a sunny day
Beautiful views of the San Diego skyline and surrounding coastline
Concession stand is available for snacks
Nearby parking lot makes it easy to access from the main road
Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas, and owners must clean up after their pets

Conclusion

There are a plethora of dog-friendly beaches in and near San Clemente, California, for you and your pup to enjoy! Whether you’re specifically looking for surf and sand or just somewhere to walk your dog, there’s a place out there that’s perfect for both of you. From San Onofre Bluffs to Cardiff State Beach and everything in between, explore the beauty that these diverse beaches have to offer, and make fur-tastic memories with your canine best friend!