Dog Beach | Huntington Beach — Attraction in Huntington Beach

Went on a Thursday from 2pm-4pm to avoid crowds. The meter didn't work so I had to download an app instead. There's no path to make make it easier to move up and down the beach, plus there's no fence- two dogs bolted in my 2 hours there, and again, I went on a slow day at a slow time.

The lifeguard also didn't seem to pay attention to dogs being on the wrong (human) side of the beach, or teen surfers being on the dog beach without regard for the animals.

There were also some not great pet owners, mostly in that they couldn't read aggression from play, including a dude who wanted my puppy to go off leash even though her play bow caused him to cower, tuck tail, and hide behind the owner, and one lady who couldn't tell the difference between play bows and aggressive dogs.

Speaking of aggression, one guy admitted his dog was possessive and tried to get people to move their dogs away, but he was in the middle of the shoreline where people had set up their towels and were playing with their dogs.

There were dog bags but I saw people simply kick sand over their dog's doo. No washing station for people or pets, or restrooms for either. I don't mean only porta-potties, I mean NO toilets whatsoever.

The beach was cleaner than I heard, though, and there were some very friendly people and dogs too.

Unrelated, but a bunch of kids on bikes rode up and silly sprayed my car at a red light. Add that to the list of things to watch out for, as others have noted beach theft and...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Dog Beach in Huntington Beach is one of our favorite places to let loose and have some fun in the sun! 🐶☀️ It’s super chill and everyone is friendly — both the dogs and the people. You can let your pups run around off-leash and they have the best time greeting other dogs and playing in the sand. If you prefer to keep your dog on a leash, that’s totally fine too. No judgment here!

It’s a great spot to help your dog become more social, and it’s just good vibes all around. If a pup kicks a little sand your way — no biggie — everyone’s just out enjoying life. 🐾

💡 A few tips: • There are public restrooms, but let’s just say… bring your own hand sanitizer 😅 and try not to sit on the seats unless you absolutely have to. • There’s no official picnic area, but you can bring your own food, find a nice spot in the sand, and enjoy your beach picnic. • Some people even bring volleyball nets or pop-up tents for shade. 🌴🏐 • The ocean breeze is heavenly and the water feels amazing — you really don’t need much else. Just show up, relax, and enjoy the beach vibes!

Highly recommend this spot if your dog loves to socialize and run free. But if your pup isn’t very friendly, it’s probably best to skip it, since everyone’s out here to have a peaceful,...

Huntington Dog Beach is one of those rare gems in Southern California where your dog can actually be a dog—off-leash, running wild in the sand, chasing waves, and living their best life. It’s incredibly freeing to have a stretch of beach this long and accessible that’s truly dedicated to our four-legged friends. The vibe is great too—lots of happy dogs, friendly owners, and a sense of community that’s hard to find elsewhere.

That said, it’s not without its flaws. The beach could definitely be cleaner. There was some scattered litter and the occasional forgotten poop bag (come on, people). And while the open ocean is beautiful, it’s a little disheartening to look out and see oil rigs and massive tankers on the horizon—reminders that this slice of nature is still very much edged by industry.

Still, if you’re here for your pup, it’s a fantastic outing. Bring water, maybe a towel for the ride home, and know that your dog will leave sandy, salty, and very happy. Four stars for the joy it brings—just a few tweaks and...