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Avila Beach

Avila Beach is the smallest of the beaches in Avila & Port San Luis Harbor and it's called Dog Beach by the locals. Dogs are allowed off-leash and under voice-command control on Avila Beach before 10am and after 5pm daily. Visit Website

Or call (805) 595-5400 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Avila Beach has received a rating of 3.9 out of 5 bones by 17 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Kristen
    Apr 13, 2024
    Dogs are allowed before 10am and after 5pm

    Dogs are allowed before 10am and after 5pm. That said, the beach was disgusting, we didn't want to have our dog touch the sand there was so much detritus. This beach is also near a harbor and a river, making the water dirtier. Would not recommend.

  • Wendy
    Apr 5, 2023
    If Only!

    This is a lovely little beach and was easy to access for my bum knee! if only it wasn’t time restricted - no dogs between 10 AM and 5 PM. We spent a beautiful mornings strolling and enjoying our Ziggy enjoying the beach! (She’s pictured below by the pier!)

  • Javier
    Jul 21, 2021
    No dogs allowed when we went, packed beach, $7 parking

    There are no dogs signs on both sides of the pier, lifeguard came to us and reminded us dogs were not allowed at that time just as we were about to step on the sand. Beach was super packed and it was very hard to find a parking spot. We found a public parking a couple of blocks from the beach that had a $7 flat rate. It has restaurants close by, but didn’t look they were dog friendly as I didn’t see any water bowls

  • Esmie
    Feb 15, 2020
    Great place For ALL Pups

    It’s a small dog beach but worth the time it took to find parking! Dogs can really let loose and run in and out of the water!!

  • Collin
    Oct 26, 2019
    Off the leash fun

    Took the dogs to this off the leash beach. Its located between the 2nd and 3rd piers past the Cal Poly private pier and before Diablo Canyon. Go across the bridge on Avila Beach Dr and past the golf course. I think its called Olde Port Beach. Its completely off the leash with lots of dogs, big and small enjoying the hard packed sand and smaller waves. You park along the roadway and use a couple of stairs leading down to the sand. Was relatively clean and all dogs seemed well behaved. After the beach you can walk the boardwalk and grab a bite to eat at some of the pet friendly restaurants.

  • Kirsten
    May 30, 2019
    Leash free fun

    This was a little slice of heaven. Beaches that allow dogs are scarce and to run free on a sunny day is like winning the lottery.

  • Natalie
    Jul 11, 2018
    Cute, but kind of small

    The dog beach in Avila is off to the right of the main beach. Previous posts about the beach being closed to dogs are talking about the main beach, go past the bridge to find the dog friendly area. It was cute, there were a lot of boats out and pelicans. It was rather crowded, to be expected though in July. The beach itself was okay, aside from the seaweed and bugs, but I think the other owners ruined it for us. There were a few who weren't paying attention to their dogs, which would then run up to us and try to steal our dogs' toys. Remember to be present with your dogs! It's like taking young children to the beach, you can't just let them run loose!

  • Patty
    Apr 1, 2018
    Cross checked!

    So glad I double check with yelp when I saw the previous poster say the dog beach was closed. It’s still open and still leash free. Not sure if any time restrictions. It’s currwntly 3pm on Easter Sunday and dogs and humans all having a good time together. 4 our of 5 bones for algae in the water.

  • Crystal
    More than a year ago
    Beach No Longer Welcomes Dogs as 8/2017

    Dogs are still allowed in other portions of Avila Beach but no longer on Fisherman's Beach. Unfortunately people not picking up dog poop has caused this ban. It was in the local newspaper in the last week of August 2017

  • Kaitlin
    More than a year ago
    Pawesom Beach!

    We brought our corgi and aussie pups here today and had a BLAST. It is clean and the people and dogs are so friendly. I definitely recommend coming here. The surrounding area is also very nice. We stopped at Avila Beach Farms after for a delicious (and affordable) cinnamon bun and italian soda :)

  • Penny
    More than a year ago
    open all day

    The person who complained about the restricted hours went to the wrong beach. If you head a little north you will come to a cove that everyone calls Dog Beach. It is open all day and out girls had the time of their lives!!!

  • Grace
    More than a year ago
    Great dog beach!

    We stumbled upon this beautiful dog-friendly beach, and it was the highlight of our weekend trip for our two golden retrievers. Big open areas for running and swimming, this was a true find!

  • Darla
    More than a year ago
    limited hours

    Went to this beach, dogs aren't aloud on 1 side of the Pier, on the other it has limited hours that does can go, before 10 am and after 5 pm. Kind of disappointing.

  • Stephanie
    More than a year ago
    An Active Dog's Dream!

    This is an awesome place to take your dog, mainly because they can be off-leash any time of day and any time of the year! Our Goldie loves to run free in the sand and surf and meet lots of other dogs and we definitely share in his excitement. It's also worth mentioning that the beach is clean. If you're visiting the Central Coast with your furry friend, this is the place to be. :)

  • Chrystal
    More than a year ago
    dog beach

    This is a great place to take your pup and let them roam off leash! Very clean beach! Going back this weekend to visit!

  • Margaret
    More than a year ago
    Dog Beach

    My dogs home away from home.Easy to meet great fellow dog owners.Beautiful location.Please be sure to pick up after the dog.Rangers watch closely.No one likes poop on the beach.

  • Sean
    More than a year ago
    great doggie beach

    Have been here a few times with our dogs and it's great. Nice stretch of sand and very open for the whole gang to run around. Just please people PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOGS so that we can keep this privilege going!

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Avila Beach