DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES in Laguna Niguel

Dogs are man’s best buds for a list of reasons. Aside from being sweet and friendly, they’re always ready for any outdoor adventure. Enjoy the ocean view this 2019, dogs are the best pets to bring.

Trying to find the best dog friendly beaches in Laguna Niguel would be quite a challenge. As the city sits inland, the closest beaches to walk a dog are those in the neighboring cities. Check out which beaches in Orange County allow dogs:

SAN CLEMENTE

The two dog beaches in San Clemente don’t technically lie in Orange County, but they’re just a short drive away. They both sit at Bluffs Beach in San Onofre State Beach.

San Onofre State Beach
Old Pacific Highway, San Clemente, CA 92672
21.4 miles from Laguna Niguel

Located just south of San Clemente, San Onofre State beach welcomes leashed dogs on Trails 1 and 6. The main area of San O’ is called ‘Bluffs Beach.’ Entrance fee here is at $10.

Trail 1 sits closest to the entrance gate of the park. While the Trail 6 lie near the end of the road. You can find RV camp spots here.

North of the Bluffs Beach lies the Surf Beach and Trestles Beach. They are also part of San Onofre State Park. Both have separate access points.

Amenities:

• Campground
• Restrooms
• Trails

Activities:

• Surfing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Camping
• Beachcombing
• Whale Watching

How to get to Bluffs Beach:

• Take exit 71 off Interstate 5 at Basilone Road
• Head toward the ocean
• Follow Old Pacific Highway south to the end at the park entrance

DANA POINT

Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629

6.9 miles from Laguna Niguel

Bring your favorite pet at Doheny State Beach. It’s quite sad that they aren’t allowed on the beach and feel the sand on their feet. You can take them at any campground site and picnic area. Also, please make sure that they stay in a vehicle or tent overnight as you camp.

Park Hours: 6 AM–10 PM year round

Campsite Map at Doheny State Beach

LAGUNA BEACH

Crystal Cove State Park
8471 N. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, California 92651

10.9 miles from Laguna Niguel

This location is a bit of a drive from Laguna Niguel, but it’s totally one of the best parks in the area. Bring your dogs along at Crystal Cove park in Laguna Beach. They’re welcome on the 3-mile bluff trail on the coastal side of Pacific Coast Highway.

You can also have them on any paved surfaces, on the ramps and parking lots. They’re not allowed on the beach, but they’re welcome to enjoy the view from the bluffs.

Note that they aren’t allowed on any hiking trails or at the nearby restaurants called Beachcomber Café.

Park hours: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM year-round

Crystal Cove State Park Map

Aliso Beach Park
Coast Highway & Aliso Way
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

5.2 miles from Laguna Niguel

Aliso Beach Park is known for its family friendly environment. Have a great day here swimming, skimboarding, surfing, skin diving, and paddle boarding. Your dogs will enjoy it here. Just make sure they’re on a 6′ leash or shorter at all times.

Your dogs are allowed here during the usual beach hours. On summer months, they’re only allowed before 9 a.m., and after 6 p.m. A bunch of policy to follow is posted in the area.

Make sure to pack in and out, leaving only paw prints behind. For more information, contact (949) 923-2280.

Park Hours: Open: Daily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Parking: $1/hour year round

Activities:

• Surfing
• Bodysurfing
• Skimboarding
• Scuba Diving
• Sunbathing
• Bonfires
• Picnicking

Amenities:

• Lifeguard
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Fire Pits
• Kids Play Area
• Snack Ba
• Picnic Tables
• Tide Pools
• Accessible Features

NEWPORT BEACH

Explore beaches in Newport Beach like Corona Del Mar State Beach and Balboa Peninsula Beach. Each of them offers ample seaside fun for your dogs. Balboa allows free street parking while CDM State Beach has fees.

Take note that your pets are only allowed there before 10 am and after 4:30 pm on ocean front beaches. You can walk them to the Bay front beaches before 9 am and after 5:00 pm. Lots of popular dog-friendly shops are around here too. Have fun shopping at Fashion Island’s Muttropolis.

Balboa Peninsula Beach
E Balboa Blvd and B St
Newport Beach, CA 92661

Activities:

• Sunbathing
• Biking
• Running
• Walking
• Skating
• Beach Walking

Amenities:

• Dunes
• Grass Park
• Restrooms
• Paved Bike Path
• Lifeguard
• Volleyball Courts

Corona Del Mar State Beach
Ocean Blvd and Jasmine Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92625

Activities:

• Scuba Diving
• Surfing
• Volleyball
• Snorkeling
• Swimming
• Sunbathing
• Bonfires

Amenities:

• Lifeguard
• Restrooms
• Showers
• BBQs
• Picnic Tables
• Volleyball Courts
• Fire Pits

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Huntington Dog Beach
E Pacific Coast Hwy and Goldenwest St
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
25.9 miles from Laguna Niguel

You can visit Huntington Beach with your pet at any time of the year. It’s quite a long ride from Laguna Niguel, but a day in this new place will be worth it. This beach property runs from Seapoint Street and 21st Street.

Signs say that your dogs need to be on a leash, but that’s not the case on this beach. Your dogs can run around unrestrained. They’ll love activities here like swim, surf and play beach ball here. It’s easy to see why this is considered the top dog-friendly beach in the area.

You can get a great meal and hang out with your dog at Park Bench Cafe. It’s just a short drive up Goldenwest.

Activities:

• Dog Walking
• Fishing
• Surfing
• Running
• Biking
• Skating
• Beach Walking

Amenities:

• Off-Leash Dog Beach
• Grass Park
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Picnic Tables

A dog’s life is all about days that center on happiness and pure bliss. Make your bonding moments more special. On your next search for activities to do with your dogs, take your furry pet to the dog-friendly beaches near Laguna Niguel.