Dog-Friendly Activities in Loma Mar, CA

Roaring Camp Railroads offers dog-friendly train rides in Felton, CA, through the California Redwoods. Located just a few miles from Santa Cruz, you and Fido can climb aboard an authentic 19th century steam train for a trip through the magnificent redwood forest. As you travel along the historic, winding narrow-gauge track to the summit of Bear Mountain, the conductor will entertain you with the history of the railroad and its locomotives, which were once used to haul giant redwood logs out of the forest. Tours are offered daily and departure times vary by season.

Pets are welcome to join you on-leash as you explore the rocky shores of Bean Hollow State Beach in Pescadero, CA. Bring Fido to enjoy this great spot for for tide-pooling and beachcombing.

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is a pet-friendly recreational area in Portola Valley, CA. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve except Lost and Razorback Trails. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Cuesta Park is a dog-friendly area in Mountain View, CA. Enjoy tennis, volleyball, or a simple walk through nature. Pets are welcome if they remain on a leash and are cleaned up after.

Dogs are welcome in the pet-friendly picnic areas and campsites of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA. Also, unlike many state parks in the area, leashed dogs can join you on a number of trails, including the Meadow Trail, Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail and Powder Mill Fire Road. The park has been established to preserve forests and the areas next to the watershed of the San Lorenzo River, including a number of huge redwood trees.

Dog-friendly Butano State Park is a quiet canyon brimming with babbling creeks and redwood trees in Pescadero, CA. Leashed dogs are welcome in the campground and in paved developed areas. Dogs must be confined to a tent or vehicle at night, and they are not allowed on trails.

The Arizona Cactus Garden is a pet-friendly botanical garden located inside Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Fido is welcome to join as you tour the grounds, but please note that there are no boundaries around the cacti. Guests can expect to see a variety of unusual plants, including Cholla, Prickly Pear, several types of Aloes and more.

Let Fido enjoy a day in the sun. Both horses and leashed dogs are welcome at the pet-friendly Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay, CA. The area is operated by the city and dogs are allowed on the sand, unlike most of the state-run beaches.

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve is a dog-friendly park in Redwood City, CA. Take your pet for an on-leash hike throughout this large, lovely nature preserve, or let them run free in the 17.5-acre area located in the center of the preserve, accessible from the Cordilleras Trail, Polly Geraci/Hassler Trails and the Blue Oak Trail. Be careful as the area is fenced and signed at entrances, but there is no fencing around the off-leash area. Dogs must be on a leash when outside of the off-leash area.

Bring Fido to Las Palmas Dog Park in Sunnyvale, CA. This off-leash dog park features a large, fenced space for pups to run and play, as well as running water, donated toys, and waste bags. Please note that the dog park is located within Las Palmas Park, and dogs must be leashed until they enter the designated dog park space.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Greyhound Rock, a pet-friendly beach in Davenport, CA. You and Fido can enjoy the surf and the sand, as well as an observation deck, fishing and more at this beautiful coastal access point.

Stevens Creek County Park is a dog-friendly recreation area in Cupertino, CA. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for a hike across nine miles of multi-use trails, many of which connect to Mid-Peninsula Open Space Fremont Older Preserve. Visitors will also find shaded picnic areas and an 82-acre reservoir suitable for boating and fishing.

You and Fido can explore the marshlands at dog-friendly Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto, CA. The 1940-acre preserve includes miles of trails that welcome dogs on a leash. You can indulge in some bird watching or just enjoy the water views.

Bring Fido to play off leash at the fenced John Boulware Park Dog Park in Palo Alto, CA. This half-acre synthetic-turf recreation space offers a place for four-legged friends to exercise and play without restrictions. Pups should be leashed when entering and exiting the dog park.

Fido can run and play off leash at University Terrace Dog Run, a pet-friendly, fenced dog park in Santa Cruz, CA. Leashed dogs are allowed in the other areas of the park.

NewBark Dog Park in Newark, CA, offers agility equipment, double-gate portals, drinking fountains, seating areas with shade and more. The 1-acre park is located within Newark Community Park and features a smaller area for dogs under 30 lbs. Dog handlers are limited to two dogs under their care and are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Lakeshore Park is a pet-friendly space in Newark, CA. Your pet will love to join you as you enjoy the 10 acres of turf and 16 acres of water. The park also features a par course and fishing areas. Leashed pets are welcome.

Montara State Beach is a popular dog-friendly destination in Half Moon Bay, CA. Pets are allowed to join you on this beach as long as they are on a leash under six feet. This area is really popular for people who want to explore tide pools and partake in a little bit of surf fishing. While you're there, you can check out Montara Mountain as well, featuring the only undisturbed coastal mountain habitat across 100 miles of coastline.

Pillar Point Harbor is a dog-friendly attraction in Half Moon Bay, CA. Enclosed within a sea wall, it's an area where dogs and kids can swim and play. The area also features a fishing pier and a boat launch. Please note that the parking lot fills up early on weekends.

The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Half Moon Bay! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.