Santa Cruz, California is a dog-loving town known for its beaches, redwood forests, and quirky character. If you’re visiting Santa Cruz with your furry companion, you’ll find plenty of dog-friendly activities, sights, and adventures to enjoy together. Here are my picks for the 10 very best things to do with dogs in Santa Cruz.
1. Romp On Dog-Friendly Beaches
With nearly 30 miles of coastline, Santa Cruz has no shortage of spectacular beaches. The best part? Many allow on-leash dogs, making them pawfect places to play fetch, take a dip, or go for a scenic stroll with your pooch.
Seacliff State Beach is a local favorite, with plenty of space in the sand for dogs to roam. Walk along the cliffside views or down to the shore to let your pup splash through the surf. Nearby Palm Beach has an off-leash dog area, allowing more freedom for chasing balls and frisbees.
Mitchell’s Cove Beach is another option that welcomes leashed dogs. It tends to be less crowded so you and your dog can meander peacefully along the water’s edge together.
2. Hike Through Majestic Coastal Redwoods
Santa Cruz is situated on the edge of the spectacular redwood forests along the California coast. Take your dog for a revitalizing hike together under the towering old growth trees at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The park has over 20 miles of hiking trails that allow dogs, including easy routes along the river and into magical, misty groves of ancient redwoods.
Just north of Santa Cruz, Big Basin Redwoods State Park also permits dogs on trails. Walk beneath colossal redwoods over 2,000 years old. One iconic hike is to Berry Creek Falls, the park’s longest waterfall at 60 feet tall. With lots of interesting smells and sights, the shaded trails are heaven for canine hikers.
3. Picnic & Play At Dog Parks
When your dog needs some intense play time with their own kind, head to one of Santa Cruz’s dog parks.
Arroyo Seco Dog Park is a sprawling 8-acre space with areas for big and small dogs to roam off-leash. Set along a creek, it’s a beautiful, nature-filled environment. You’ll find plenty of happy pups chasing balls, playing in the river, and making new friends.
For a small neighborhood park, check out Neary Lagoon Dog Park. This fenced grassy area on the lagoon is much quieter, offering a more relaxed place for dogs to play fetch or just meander about. It’s right next to a kids’ playground, so it can be nice for families with both children and furry members.
Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy with your pup after they’ve worked up an appetite from all the running around!
4. Paddle Boarding & Kayaking Adventures
If you have an athletic, water-loving pup, try an exciting stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking tour along the Santa Cruz coastline with your dog!
Several local companies like Kayak Connection offer guided paddling excursions with pets welcome. You’ll get breathtaking views of the beaches and cliffs as you glide peacefully across the blue Pacific waters with your dog along for the ride. Getting out on the ocean together makes for an unforgettable adventure!
5. Dine At Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Cafés
One of the best perks of Santa Cruz’s casual, beachy vibe is how welcoming many restaurants are to dogs on their patios. Enjoy a relaxing meal out while your pup snoozes nearby or observes the passersby.
Some top picks for alfresco dining with dogs include:
- Verve Coffee Roasters: This popular local café has two locations, both with spacious dog-friendly patios.
- Hula’s Island Grill: Their tropical deck area is perfect for dining with dogs.
- Rosie McCann’s: Irish pub with patio seating and homemade dog treats.
- Splash Bar: Have brunch on the patio overlooking the San Lorenzo River.
Wherever you go, be sure to ask for a dog bowl of water!
6. Ride The Roaring Camp Railroads
All aboard for a delightful adventure to the redwoods on the historic steam trains of Roaring Camp Railroads. This heritage railway has two routes winding through the Santa Cruz Mountains that welcome leashed dogs.
The one-hour narrated trip through the towering redwood groves of Felton Grove makes for a relaxing ride for you and your pup. For a longer excursion, take the 3-hour route along the Redwood Forest Steam Train to the San Lorenzo River Gorge. Dogs of all sizes are invited aboard to stick their heads out the window and take in the enchanting coastal scenery!
7. Go Wine Tasting At Dog-Friendly Vineyards
Northern California’s acclaimed wine region offers plenty for wine lovers and their pups to enjoy. Many Santa Cruz vineyards welcome leashed dogs, allowing you to sip fabulous local vintages while Fido does some sniffing about.
Some top dog-friendly wineries to visit include:
- Bonny Doon Vineyard: Their expansive outdoor patio area overlooking the vineyard is perfect for wine tasting with your special friend.
- Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard: Relax under the olive trees in their Tuscan-style courtyard with your dog by your side.
- Silver Mountain Vineyards: Pull up a chair with your pup on their vineyard-view deck and take in the sunset.
- Calwise Spirits Co.: This craft distillery allows dogs both inside the tasting room and throughout the scenic organic farm.
With rolling vineyards and plenty of trees and grass for dogs to explore, a winery visit makes for an indulgent day out together!
8. Shop Dog-Friendly Downtown
Santa Cruz’s vibrant downtown overflows with eclectic shops, boutiques, cafes and street performers. Many stores allow pets, so you can stroll from one unique shop to the next with your dog in tow!
Some particular favorites for dog-loving shoppers include:
- Stripe Dog Grooming: Stop in for some homemade dog treats and locally-made collars, leashes, toys and more.
- Bone Appetit Bakery: This doggie bakery is packed with gourmet goodies just for pups.
- Annieglass: This gorgeous artisan glassware shop always has dog bowls on display for purchase.
- Bookshop Santa Cruz: Peruse books on the shop’s creekside back patio as your dog snoozes nearby.
With plenty of shops to pop into and sidewalks bustling with activity, an afternoon wandering downtown with your dog promises fun for both of you!
9. Camp & Glamp With Your Pup
Enjoy overnight adventures with Fido camping or “glamping” (glamorous camping in style) within driving distance of Santa Cruz. Local campgrounds and luxury yurt encampments that allow dogs include:
- Sunset State Beach: Camp or rent a fully-furnished yurt on the beach boardwalk, perfect for sunset strolls with your dog.
- Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort: Stay in an RV or cozy cabin in a peaceful redwood grove.
- Mount Madonna County Park: Rustic campsites set in the forested mountains.
- Costanoa KOA: Luxurious tent cabins and RV sites along the Pacific coast.
Wherever you choose to overnight, you and your loyal companion can bond over campfires, comfy tents, and the great outdoors!
10. Check Out Some Pawesome Dog Events
Santa Cruz loves to celebrate dogs! Throughout the year, various dog-centric community events happen that are absolute treats for canine fans.
The annual Surf City Surf Dog Competition is a hugely popular event where pups ride waves alongside their owners in a delightful surf contest. Crowds cheer as the dog surfers paddle out and ride the friendly surf —a truly Santa Cruz experience!
For some more competitive fun, the annual Capitola Dog Dash invites pups of all ages and speeds to race down the beach 100-800 meters. Races range from “leisurely” to “ludicrous speed” so all abilities can join in. Spectators line the sandy track to cheer on the dashing dogs as they sprint for glory!
Year-round, various dog clubs and rescue organizations hold fundraising walks, adoption fairs and more for dog lovers to get involved in. And everyday dog playgroups and meetups happen at places like Pinto Lake County Park. Ultimately, Santa Cruz is the kind of lively, outdoorsy, and dog-crazy place where you and your furry BFF will feel right at home!
Conclusion
With breathtaking coastline, towering redwood forests, dog-friendly eateries, eclectic shops, pawsome events and outdoor recreation galore, Santa Cruz offers endless adventures for you and your favorite canine companion. Whether you want to hike amid ancient trees, romp on the beach, ride a historic railroad, or relax over local wines, you and your pup will make magical memories together in this charming seaside town. So grab the leash and get ready to have a doggone great time exploring everything to do in Santa Cruz with your furry friend by your side!
FAQs
Dogs are required to be on a leash six feet or shorter when on any public street, sidewalk, or other public area within city limits. Off-leash play is permitted in designated city dog parks or on wide-open beaches at certain times. Always check posted signs about specific leash regulations for each area you visit.
You must pick up and properly dispose of your dog’s waste while visiting Santa Cruz, including public parks, trails, streets and beaches. Most areas with trash cans will have bag dispensers and waste bins specially designated for dog waste bags. Always come prepared with your own disposable bags as well.
Yes, leashed dogs are permitted on most Santa Cruz beaches before 10 AM and after 4 PM between April 1–October 31. Seacliff State Beach allows dogs all day. Always check each beach’s posted rules or call ahead about current restrictions for dogs.
Some pet-friendly stores downtown welcome leashed dogs, though food establishments will only allow dogs in designated outdoor dining areas due to health codes. Check ahead to confirm any policies around pets before entering stores, cafes or restaurants downtown.
Yes, evidence of current vaccinations and health records are typically required before dogs can enter indoor establishments like hotels, grooming salons, daycares or boarding facilities. Dog parks may also request vaccination records. Always call ahead to ask about requirements for your pup.
Santa Cruz enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate year-round. Summer daytime temperatures average 70-75°F making for comfortable weather to enjoy outdoor activities. Winters tend to see more rainfall, with daytime highs around 60°F. But there are ample indoor dog-friendly options too for wet weather days.
