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Living in Bodega Bay, CA, is fantastic, especially when you have a dog in the family. The California coast is impressive to see and explore with a canine companion. Of course, not all beaches allow dogs, and Bodega Bay is no different. To help you decide where to go with your dog when a day at the beach is what you’re dreaming about, we have the Top 7 dog-friendly beaches in Bodega bay below.
Top 7 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Bodega Bay, CA
1. Dillon Beach
A beautiful but small beach that gets smaller as the tide comes in
Sunsets on this beach are incredible
Weekends are crowded
Conflicting reports about whether the beach is off-leash or not
Bring waste bags and water
A possible safety risk is a small lagoon that has standing water
2. Doran Regional Park
Large beach where dogs can be on their leash and a small but rocky area for off-leash play
Off-leash area is covered at high tide so check the local tide charts before you go
Significantly larger at low tide with more space for dogs and humans
Very little shade anywhere on the beach
Popular and pretty beach
Bring waste bags and water
3. Kehoe Beach
Although beautiful, Kehoe Beach is on-leash only
From March 1 through September 30, dogs aren’t allowed south of the trail
The walk from the parking lot is about ½ mile
During the week, this beach is one of the quietest and most peaceful in the area
Doesn’t provide waste bags or water
Tide doesn’t affect the size of Kehoe Beach as much as other local beaches
4. Limantour Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
🕐 Open Times:
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
💲 Cost:
Free (possible parking fee)
🐕 Off-Leash:
No (Protected animals)
Walk from the parking to the beach takes about 20 minutes over rough terrain
Usually tranquil and perfect for water dogs
Be aware that, from October through May, the water temp is frigid
Like most, this beach doesn’t provide waste bags or water
5. Monte Rio Public Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍 20488 CA-116, Monte Rio, CA 95462
🕐 Open Times:
24/7, 365 day a year
💲 Cost:
Free (possible parking fee)
🐕 Off-Leash:
Yes, in a small area
Small beach with an even smaller off-leash area
Off-leash park is on the western side of the small bridge
Beach is on the Russian River and has fresh water
If your dog likes to chase birds, be aware that mallard ducks fly all over the area
Waste bags are sometimes provided but bring your own
6. Point Reyes Beach (aka Great Beach)
If your dog loves to play in the ocean, this will be its favorite beach
North of the north beach entrance: dogs aren’t permitted
Gets significantly smaller at high tide
Coastline is protected here and very peaceful
Doesn’t provide water or waste bags
7. Sonoma Coast State Park
State Park offers a collection of long, gorgeous beaches
There are six beaches in the Park that are dog-friendly beaches, including Blind Beach, Wright’s Beach, Shell Beach, Gleason Beach, Carmet Beach, and Goat Rock Beach
Look for Blind Beach, where it’s reported that off-leash play is well tolerated
Includes a campground, Bodega Dunes, where dogs are allowed to stay
Final Thoughts
Bodega Bay is a gorgeous location on the coast of California with some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Now you know which of these beaches will let you visit with your furry friends and have a day of fun in the sun! As mentioned, remember to bring poop bags and water so that your dog doesn’t get too thirsty (and doesn’t leave behind a stinky mess). Other than that, we wish you and all your canine companions a fantastic time on the seven dog-friendly beaches in Bodega Bay, California!
Featured Image Credit: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock
Written by
Greg Iacono is a self-taught writer and former chiropractor who, ironically, retired early due to back problems. He spends his time writing scintillating content on a wide variety of subjects. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson. he U.S., Belgium, and Peru. When not writing, Greg spends his time traveling, riding his motorcycle, and doting on his 7-year-old daughter, Valery. He also has a massive Lego city he built with his son, Alex, and is very proud of his daughter, Catherine, an accomplished graphic artist.…Read more
