Top 12 Dog Friendly Beaches in San Clemente, CA (with Pictures)

San Clemente, CA 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 area surrounding it has some of the best dog-friendly beaches in California! Here are our top 12 picks from dog-friendly beaches in and near San Clemente, California

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The Top 12 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 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 pet

2. Cress Street Beach

This beach is located in a quiet neighborhood
The waves are great for surfing or boogie boarding
It has a small grass area perfect for picnicking
The beach is lined with palms trees and other coastal vegetation
A few beach chairs are dotted along the sand
Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

3. San Onofre State Beach

This beach has a large grassy area for picnicking or playing Frisbee
Beautiful views of the San Onofre Bluffs and 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 pet

4. Capistrano Beach

10-minute drive from San Clemente
This beach is located close to the pier
There are 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 pet

5. Doheny State Beach

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 pet

6. Baby Beach Laguna Beach

15-minute drive from San Clemente
This beach is great for swimming or playing in the sand with your little ones!
Beautiful views of Catalina Island in the distance
The beach also has several areas designated for fishing and picnicking
A nearby parking lot makes it easy to access from the main road
Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet

7. Aliso Beach Park

20-minute drive from San Clemente
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 body boarding
Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet.

8. Salt Creek Beach

15-minute drive from San Clemente
Salt Creek Beach is a great spot for swimming, surfing, and body boarding
This beach also has several areas designated for fishing and picnicking
A nearby parking lot makes it easy to access the beach from the main road.
Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their pet.

9. Huntington Dog Beach

Dog Regulations: Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas and owners must clean up after their pet.

45-minute drive from San Clemente
One of the only off-leash dog beaches in the area
This is an ideal beach for pups to play off-leash with other dogs
Beautiful views of the Huntington Beach pier and surrounding coastline
Concession stands are available for snacks on the go

10. San Elijo State Beach

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 pet.

11. Coronado Dog Beach

1 hour 15-minute drive from San Clemente
Great off-leash beach and dog park
This beach is great for swimming or playing with your pup
The 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
A concession stand is available for snacks
Dogs must be leashed when not in the off-leash areas and owners must clean up after their pet

12. Dog Beach San Diego

1 hour 15-minute drive from San Clemente
Great off-leash dog beach
The sand is soft and perfect for laying out on a sunny day
Beautiful views of the San Diego skyline and surrounding coastline
A concession stand is available for snacks
A 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 pet

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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 looking for an off-leash beach or just somewhere to walk, there’s something 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 some fur-tastic memories with your canine best friend! Happy exploring!

Featured Image Crerdit: Olesya Kuprina, Shutterstock