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San Francisco is always bustling with activity, whether on the streets, in restaurants, or at local attractions. The beaches are also popular destinations for locals and residents alike. As a dog owner, you likely want your pet to tag along when visiting the beach—at least occasionally. After all, it’s the perfect place for them to run around and get exercise in the form of play! Fortunately, there are several dog-friendly beaches in San Francisco that you and your canine companion can enjoy. Here are our top nine picks.
The 9 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Francisco
1. Crissy Field East Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍San Francisco, CA 94129
🕐 Open Times:
24 hours
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash allowed?:
Yes, but only on the beach
Dogs must be leashed in all places except on the beach
A small café is on location to quench your cravings
Bring your own cleanup bags and drinking water
Take time to stroll the Golden Gate Promenade
Plenty of picnic tables and gazebos for shade are available
2. Funston Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍San Francisco, CA
🕐 Open Times:
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash allowed?:
Yes, in specific areas
This beach is part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area
Feel free to hike one of the many signed trails that lead to and from the beach
Dogs are not allowed to use the outdoor showers
Beach often gets crowded with dogs
Plenty of room to run
3. Mile Rock Beach
A small beach off the beaten path, so it’s rarely crowded
Plenty of large rocks litter the beach, which is fun for dogs to climb on
No restroom facilities available onsite
Beach is located about a mile from the visitor center
The Golden Gate Bridge is viewable from the beach
4. Pacifica Esplanade Beach
Entire beach is open to off-leash dogs
You must walk through a set of trails to reach the beach
Beach is secluded and rarely gets crowded
Located near the Lands End apartments
Beach gets extremely narrow during high tide
5. Ocean Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍San Francisco, CA 94102
🕐 Open Times:
24 hours
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash allowed?:
Yes
One of the most popular beaches in San Francisco
5 miles in length
Wide and open, offering plenty of space to play fetch and picnic
No water available for drinking
A promenade, paved bike lanes, and eateries line the backside of the beach
6. Crane Cove Park
A new park that has a small beach area and multiple pier walking areas
There are plans to install a 6,000-acre enclosed dog play area
Minimal shade is available throughout the 7-acre park
Kayakers can sometimes be seen traveling through the bay
Limited restroom options available
7. Warm Water Cove Park
A farmer’s market is on site every Wednesday and Sunday
Enjoy sunset views of the Bay Bridge
Great place for dogs to swim
Park is connected to the Bay Trail, which covers the entire bay shoreline
Benches are littered throughout the walking trails
8. Treasure Island Dog Park
🗺️ Address:
📍San Francisco, CA 94130
🕐 Open Times:
24 hours
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash allowed?:
Yes
Beach is extremely rocky and not suitable for dog swimming
Rocks offer an agility challenge for most dogs
Playground for the kids located on site
Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grassy park area
Park can get busy in the afternoon and on the weekends
9. Baker Beach
🗺️ Address:
📍San Francisco, CA 94132
🕐 Open Times:
24 hours
💲 Cost:
Free
🐕 Off-Leash allowed?:
Yes, if under voice control
Hike one of the multiple trails before frolicking on the beach with your pup
No amenities, such as outdoor showers and restrooms, available
Beach offers excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Porpoises are often spotted in the water
Beach is about 1 mile long and rarely crowded
Conclusion
Dogs love to hang out at the beach as much as we humans do, so why not enjoy one or more of the locations on this list with your beloved canine companion? Each offers something different, so they are all worthy of being added to your bucket list. Visiting beaches throughout San Francisco with your dog will provide you with unique opportunities to see the city in a new and more serene light.
Featured Image Credit: Anette, Pixabay
Written by
Rachael Gerkensmeyer
Author
Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000, in which time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry in her spare time. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and dozens of chickens.…Read more
