15 Best Things to Do With Dogs in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is famously known for its lively beach boardwalk, expansive beaches, and surf culture. However, did you know that Santa Cruz is also extremely dog friendly? If you are looking for the perfect pup-friendly destination, Santa Cruz is the ideal location for you to visit. Find out the best things to do with dogs in Santa Cruz, including pet-friendly restaurants and accommodations.
Things to Do With Dogs In Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the quintessential beach town and a favorite vacation spot for many Californians. The fact that it is also dog friendly is a huge bonus. Sometimes when we travel with our two dogs, we have limited options for things to do or dog-friendly accommodations. However, that is not the case for Santa Cruz.
I was so excited about how many dog-friendly beaches, parks, hikes, and other unique activities there are to do with your pup. I hope you enjoy this list of the top things to do with dogs in Santa Cruz!
1. West Cliff Drive
The West Cliff Drive is a must thing to do with dogs in Santa Cruz. It is a scenic 3.0-mile path that stretches along the coast and features stunning views of Monterey Bay. The path is great for walking, running, biking, and dog friendly.
You can either drive or walk West Cliff Drive. If you have a dog that can handle it, I highly suggest walking the path.
The West Cliff Drive starts at the Santa Cruz Wharf, near the boardwalk, and ends at Natural Bridges State Park. During your stroll on West Cliff Drive, there are many dog-friendly pit stops to make along the way. Such as the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Lighthouse Field State Beach, Mitchell’s Cove, and Natural Bridges.
2. Lighthouse Field State Beach
One of the top things to do with dogs in Santa Cruz is visit one of the many dog-friendly beaches. Lighthouse Field State Beach is doggy heaven in Santa Cruz! Literally, there are dogs everywhere! Dogs are allowed on leash on the first beach north of the Lighthouse. The popular dog-friendly beach is also known as Its Beach.
The beach is located below a rugged bluff along the West Cliff Drive. There are stairs that will descend you from the top of the cliff to the secluded and spacious cove. Its Beach offers gorgeous views of Lighthouse Point and the famous surfing location Steamer Lane. Its Beach or Lighthouse Field State Beach is free to use and has parking available.
If you are visiting from mid-October to mid-February, keep your eyes peeled for the Monarch butterflies. The Lighthouse Field State Beach is one of the locations the bright orange and black butterflies migrate to over the winter.
3. Santa Cruz Surfer’s Museum
Step into the Surfer’s Museum and explore over 100 years of Santa Cruz surfing. In the historic museum, you can find photos, surfboards, and other unique memorabilia dating back to the earliest years of surfing. Also, the small lighthouse sells novelty surfing items for you to purchase.
The Santa Cruz Surfer’s Museum is located in the Lighthouse along West Cliff Drive and sits on a bluff overlooking the well-known surfing location Steamer Lane. Take in the beautiful coastline views or admire the surfers from above.
Even if you are not a surfer, you can enjoy the views and history the Surfer’s Museum offers. It is free to visit and is open from 12 pm to 4 pm daily, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when it is closed. Bring your pup along with you! Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed inside of the museum.
4. Mitchell’s Cove
Further along, the West Cliff Drive is where you can find the dog-friendly beach, Mitchell’s Cove. It’s a stretch of sandy beach below the rugged bluffs. It has less foot traffic than Its Beach, so it is the perfect alternative if you and your dog prefer fewer people and distractions.
Mitchell’s Cove is one of the best things to do with dogs in Santa Cruz because dogs are allowed off-leash before 10 am and after 4 pm. And what dog doesn’t love the freedom of running on the beach and splashing in the chilly pacific?
Before your visit, check the tide times. Since Mitchell’s Cove is a small beach, during high tide most of the beach disappears, and it can get pretty dangerous.
5. Visit a Dog-Friendly Brewery
Sit back and relax with a refreshing beer at one of the many dog-friendly breweries. There are a handful of awesome microbreweries to visit during your time in Santa Cruz. Most of them offer a laid-back atmosphere and an outdoor dog-friendly patio to enjoy your delicious craft beer.
- Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing: Dog-friendly taproom and beer garden. Their handcrafted beer is organic and made from local ingredients. They offer a food menu of small bites, sandwiches, and dog bones for your furry friend.
- Shanty Shack: Dog-friendly patio. They offer a rotating tap list, live music, and food trucks.
- Humble Sea Brewing Co: Dog-friendly beer garden. One of the more popular brewing companies in Santa Cruz. They produce innovative beers, are very dog friendly, and have a small food menu of Argentine-style empanadas.
6. Roaring Camp Railroads
For a unique and memorable thing to do with dogs in Santa Cruz, hop aboard one of the trains at Roaring Camp Railroads. The train station at Roaring Camp Railroads is situated in the lush Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by towering redwood trees.
There are two different trains, and both are dog friendly. You have the option of either the Redwood Forest Steam Train that travels through the magnificent redwood groves and up to the summit of Bear Mountain. Or the Santa Cruz Beach Train, which travels through the ancient redwoods, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
You can depart from Santa Cruz Beach as well. Before your visit, check their train schedule and buy your tickets in advance.
7. Explore Downtown Santa Cruz
Stroll along downtown Santa Cruz and explore the wide range of boutique shops, restaurants, and bakeries that welcome four-legged friends. Pop into one of the many dog-friendly restaurants such as Gabriella Cafe, West End Tap & Kitchen, and Crepe Place.
In the heart of Santa Cruz, downtown is busting with art and a lively atmosphere. There are many events held downtown as well. Such as First Fridays, which promotes local artists and local businesses, the weekly Farmers Market, a Chocolate Festival, an Antique Fair, and many more.
8. Penny Ice Creamery
Craving something sweet? A visit to downtown Santa Cruz is not complete without some homemade delicious ice cream from Penny Ice Creamery.
Penny Ice Creamery is the go-to spot for ice cream in Santa Cruz. The ice cream is made from scratch, and the ingredients are sourced from local farms nearby. Penny’s has all the classic flavors and features new and exciting flavors each season.
Tip: Be sure to try the toasted marshmallow as your topping. I promise you will not regret your decision.
They are dog friendly but have limited outdoor seating. Take your ice cream to go and discover the many shops downtown.
9. Kayaking on Monterey Bay
Plan an adventurous afternoon exploring Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary by renting a kayak for you and your furry friend. Venture Quest Kayaking allows dogs to come along on their kayak rentals or tours.
As you paddle across Monterey Bay, you will experience the wide variety of wildlife in their natural habit. Including sea otters, seals, sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, whales, and birds.
Tip: When renting a kayak with Venture Quest Kayaking, bring your own life jacket that will properly fit your dog.
10. Walk Along Santa Cruz Harbor
Stretch out those pup legs on a walk along the paved trail at the Santa Cruz Harbor. The 1,000 slip Harbor is filled with lavish yachts and various boats.
At the Marina, you will also find kayak and SUP board rentals, waterfront restaurants, beaches, and annual events planned throughout the year. Such as their sailboat races, Haunted Harbor, a Lighted Boat Parade, and many more.
After your walk, grab a bite to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants for beautiful views of the Harbor. A great option for breakfast or lunch is Aldos Restaurant, a small and cozy restaurant right on the harbor.
Aldo’s Restaurant has been a popular eatery in Santa Cruz for over 60 years. They serve classic seafood dishes with an Italian twist. Aldo’s also has a bakery where you can snack on some Italian pastries and bread. And don’t forget the pup. The outdoor patio is dog friendly.
11. Go-Wine Tasting With Your Dog
Did you know that Santa Cruz is also known for its wine? Here you can find over 70 wineries in Santa Cruz that produce a wide variety of wines. And the best part is. Many of them are dog friendly!
With plenty of tasting rooms and vineyards to choose from, you honestly can’t go wrong where you decide to do your wine tastings. However, a dog-friendly winery I suggest is Soquel Vineyards, known for their award-winning wine, brick oven pizza, and stunning views.
Soquel Vineyards is a beautiful family-owned and run winery located in the hills above Soquel. Relax with a glass of vino as you sit on their outdoor patio overlooking the hills of vineyards and views of Monterey Bay.
Each of their tasting flights features at least four wines. The reserve tasting is $10 and the Library tasting is $25 per person.
Another option for wine tasting is a visit to Surf City Vintners, a collection of tasting rooms in a renovated warehouse space. At Surf City Vintners, there are 12 tasting rooms, a bakery, West End Tap & Kitchen, and a market.
To find more dog-friendly wineries in Santa Cruz, you can go here.
12. Go For a Dog Friendly Hike
If you love hiking and exploring the outdoors with your four-legged friend, then you will be happy to know that Santa Cruz offers many dog-friendly hikes in the area. One is Pogonip Open Space Reserve. Only a 10-minute drive from downtown, Pogonip is an easy way to escape the city and unwind in nature.
Pogonip is a popular location for hiking and mountain biking with scenic views. There are miles and miles of dog-friendly trails for you to discover.
Dogs are allowed on leash everywhere but on the Pogonip Creek Nature Loop, Lookout Trail, the Harvey West Trail, and the Nature Loop in Sycamore Grove.
13. Explore Redwoods
If you haven’t gone hiking in a redwood forest yet, then this is your opportunity to admire the beautiful ancient giants. There are two options of places nearby to get an up-close look at the coastal redwood trees.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Santa Cruz. It is home to a 40-acre old-growth redwood grove. Per their website, dogs are allowed on the park entrance road adjacent to Highway 9 and picnic areas. They are also allowed on the Meadow Trail, Graham Hill Trail, Powder Mill Road, and the 3.3-mile Pipeline Road that runs through the middle of the park.
Dogs are unfortunately not permitted on the old-growth Redwood Grove Loop Trail and Fall Creek Unit, the main Redwood tree areas. However, the Pipeline Road goes right through the Redwoods and leads to the nearest Redwood grove.
Another opportunity to see some redwood trees is at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. It’s California’s oldest State Park and about a 25 to 30-minute drive from Santa Cruz.
At Big Basin, dogs are not allowed on any of the trails. However, there is a 7-mile roundtrip hike along a paved road through the park that is dog friendly.
14. Felton Covered Bridge Park
Built in 1892, the Felton Covered Bridge is a California Historical Landmark, as it is the tallest covered bridge in the country. The community park also offers a playground, picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and a path surrounding a grassy area, perfect for a pup walk.
Tip: The Felton Covered Bridge Park is only a 5-minute drive to the Roaring Camp Railroads, a dog-friendly train ride through the Redwood forest.
15. Visit a Nearby Town
There are many things to do with dogs near Santa Cruz as well. Santa Cruz is situated right next to the popular seaside town of Capitola. Capitola is known for its bright and colorful houses lined up along Capitola Beach.
Unfortunately, Capitola Beach is not dog friendly, but there are plenty of other pet-friendly beaches, parks, and restaurants for you to enjoy. Also, while you are there, make sure to visit the quaint and charming Capitola Village. The vibrant Village is full of unique shops, bistros, and galleries for you to explore.
Capitola may be the closest town to Santa Cruz, but another small town that is absolutely worth visiting is Pescadero. Pescadero is a coastal town 45 minutes north of Santa Cruz. There are so many fun dog-friendly things to do in Pescadero, such as wine tasting at a local goat farm, beaches, and downtown shopping and restaurants.
Also, a must when visiting Pescadero is to pick up a fresh and warm loaf of Artichoke Garlic bread from Arcangeli Grocery. Their bread is so fluffy and delicious!
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Santa Cruz
Gabriella Cafe
Gabriella Cafe is a small and intimate restaurant in the heart of Santa Cruz. Referred to as the most romantic spot in Santa Cruz, Gabriella Cafe is the perfect restaurant for a meal with your special someone. The cafe serves Italian food with seasonal ingredients purchased directly from local farmers.
The best part is they are also dog-friendly! Be prepared. The outdoor space is not the most spacious, so if you have two larger dogs, you might have a difficult time dining here.
The Crepe Place
The quaint Crepe Place is your go-to brunch spot in midtown Santa Cruz. The menu displays numerous sweet and savory crepes for you to enjoy. Besides crepes, you can also find other house specials like their benedict and scambles. Crepes are not just for breakfast. Their dinner menu has a selection of unique and flavorful entree crepes.
Don’t let the outside fool you. Tucked away in the back of the restaurant, you can find their beautiful garden oasis. The lovely patio is, of course, dog-friendly too!
Santa Cruz Dog-Friendly Hotels
When visiting Santa Cruz, there is one thing you do not have to worry about. And that is finding dog-friendly accommodations. Santa Cruz offers a variety of hotels that welcome dogs from budget-friendly to luxury.
Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages
The Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is a cozy and charming hotel only steps away from a secluded beach. This little hidden gem is perfect for a dog-friendly getaway in Santa Cruz.
Some of the units at Ocean Echo Inn have fully-equipped kitchens, stunning ocean views, and private decks. You can either book a room or a spacious cottage for your stay at Ocean Echo Inn. Be sure to note that you are bringing a dog with you because not all of the rooms are dog friendly.
Book your stay at the Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages here
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Another option for a dog-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz is the Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection. The hotel offers everything you need and more for a comfortable and relaxing stay in Santa Cruz.
Some of the amenities include an outdoor pool with a poolside bar, a fitness center, an onsite restaurant and bar, a 6-minute walk to the beach, and a 10-minute walk to downtown Santa Cruz.
Their pet policy: 2 dogs per room and they must be registered at check-in. There is also a non-refundable pet fee of $125 per stay.
Book your stay at Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection here
Are Dogs Allowed On The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
Even though Santa Cruz is extremely dog friendly, unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. Dogs are also not permitted on the Main Beach in front of the boardwalk.
It is a huge bummer, but as you can see from this post, there are so many other dog-friendly beaches and other activities you can do with your pup instead.
Additional Dog-Friendly Things to Do In Santa Cruz
With over a dozen dog-friendly beaches in Santa Cruz, not all of them were able to make my list of top things to do. However, if you are looking to add more beaches, parks, or hikes to your Santa Cruz itinerary, I have listed more dog-friendly activities below.
Dog Friendly Beaches
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- New Brighton Beach
- Seacliff State Beach
- Seabright Beach
- Santa Maria Beach
Dog-Friendly Hikes
- Byrne-Milliron Forest
- The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
- West Glenwood Preserve
Dog Friendly Parks
- Aptos Dog Park at Polo Grounds Park
- University Terrace Dog Run
- Grant Park
- Frederick Street Park
Other California Dog-Friendly Locations
We love planning dog-friendly trips with our two Golden Retrievers! Luckily California offers some pretty incredible destinations and experiences that are fun for us but are also dog friendly.
Dog-Friendly Beach Towns:
- Top 10 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Half Moon Bay
- Dog Friendly Stinson Beach Guide & Top Things To Do
- 14 Dog Friendly Beaches in Half Moon Bay Ca
Dog-Friendly Camping:
- 15 Best Camping Dog Beds For Dogs of All Sizes
- 10 Best Pet Friendly Glamping Sites in Northern California
- 14 Best Dog Strollers For Hiking: Guide For Small & Large Dogs
🐾 More Dog-Friendly Itineraries on TTWT
Conclusion: Things to Do With Dogs In Santa Cruz
As you can see, Santa Cruz is the perfect destination for your next pup-friendly vacation! Santa Cruz is loaded with unique and one of kind dog-friendly activities. I hope this list of best things to do with dogs in Sana Cruz will help inspire you to plan your next dog-friendly adventure.
