Top 8 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Malibu, California in 2026

Ever wondered where to take your furry friend for a fun day at the beach in Malibu, California? With over 63 million households in the US owning a dog, finding dog-friendly beaches is a common quest for many pet owners. Malibu offers some fantastic dog-friendly beaches for you and your canine companion, whether a romp in the surf or a leisurely stroll along the shore.

This blog will guide you through the best dog-friendly beaches in Malibu, highlighting key features, rules, and tips to ensure a great experience. Ready to discover the perfect beach for your pup? Let’s dive in!

Every dog-friendly beach has some basic rules. Every owner must follow them before bringing the pets. You can also spend some days near the beaches.

1. Staircase Beach – Malibu, CA

Staircase Beach is situated at the North end of Leo Carrillo State Beach and Park. It’s a small used place where surfers are the major visitors. The best way to explore this beach is by walking. It’s narrower in the North than in the South. A zig-zag trail goes down to the bluff face from the parking lot.

This rocky beach and the South end are good places to relax on the sand. The place offers beautiful natural views, and the rock formations are gorgeous for photoshoots. The area has public restrooms, but facilities and amenities on the beach are limited.

• Dog rules: The North Beach of Staircase allows dogs on leashes. The owners must be responsible for maintaining the area’s cleanliness. 
• Timings: From sunrise to sunset.
• Entry fee & Parking: A $3 per hour fee is charged. 
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: Hyatt Regency Westlake, Hampton Inn & Suites Agoura Hills.
• Address: 40000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA.

2. Little Dume Beach – Cliffside Dr, Malibu

Little Dume is a famous private beach in Malibu. The beach is secluded and sandy, with rocks backed by stiff cliffs. It’s a smaller and lesser-known place protected by private guards. It’s located near Point Dume and is known by two other names, Malibu Riviera II Beach Easement and Little Dume Beach Club.

In addition to being dog-friendly, this beach offers plenty of other activities. It includes surfing, scuba diving, swimming, tide pooling, and beach combing. It takes 30 minutes and is 1.5 miles from Big Dume Beach. Point Dume is an excellent tourist attraction, just 6 minutes away by car. 

• Dog rules: The furry kids must wear their leashes. The dogs are not allowed in the water beyond the mean high tide level. Keep poop bags with you.
• Timings: From 7 am to 10 pm. 
• Entry fee & Parking: No payment is required.
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: Malibu Country Inn, The M Malibu, Hotel June Malibu.
• Address: 29208 Cliffside Dr, Malibu, CA 90265, United States.

3. Leo Carrillo State Beach (North)

Leo Carrillo is famous for surfing and windsurfing, and is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Malibu. It is a Pacific beach lined with caves and tide pools. During low tide, fabulous tide pools and sea life become visible. 

People can enjoy various activities here, such as swimming, surfing, windsurfing, beachcombing, and surf fishing. You can also explore the coastal caves and reefs around the beach. Leo Carrillo State Park has a backcountry hiking trail. The Giant Sycamores are the main campgrounds here. 

• Dog rules: Dogs with leashes are welcome here. They must stay above the main high tide level.
• Timings: From sunrise to sunset.
• Entry fee & Parking: No entry fee is charged.
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thousand Oaks
• Address: 35000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

4. Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach, also known as Surfrider Beach, was dedicated as the First World Surfing Reserve in 2010. This site is known as an established California State Park. All types of rentals, bird scooters, and bikes are available here.

You can enjoy hiking, boating, swimming, scuba diving, fishing, or windsurfing. The beach also includes nature or wildlife viewing and several picnic areas. It is wheelchair accessible and has outdoor shower facilities. 

• Dog rules: Dogs are allowed here, but only till the parking lot. 
• Timings: From 8 am to sunset. 
• Entry fee & Parking: The entry fee and Parking depend on the duration, such as $12 for all-day per car or $2 for 1 hour per car. 
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: Best Western Plus Carriage Inn, Ocean View Hotel.
• Address: 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.

5. Thornhill Broome Beach

Thornhill Broome Beach is a dog-friendly beach within Point Mugu State Beach in Southern Ventura County. This seaside heaven is adorned by the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, which enhance its beauty. A five-mile broad, uninterrupted shoreline is ideal for owners and furry friends.

The white dunes are a great way to move some muscles, and the crystal-clear water is ideal for a relaxing dip. Hiking trails spanning 70 miles in La Jolla Canyon offer plenty of opportunities to discover new things. Body surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing, and kiteboarding are other activities in this 15,000-acre park.

Campsites with direct ocean access are available for rent, and restrooms are also on the grounds.

• Dog rules: Dogs are allowed on this beach, but must be leashed except on trails. Owners must keep cleanup bags for waste collection.
• Timings: From 8 am to 10 pm
• Entry fee & Parking: $5 for parking
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thousand Oaks-Newbury Park, Bella Capri Inn & Suites
• Address: 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

6. Sycamore Cove Beach

Sycamore Cove Beach in Point Mugu State Park is a popular destination for hanging out with paw buddies. It is a day-use area known for its beautiful coastline. The adjacent campgrounds and extensive hiking trails act as an added benefit. Two major river canyons are present here to meet the sea here. Lifeguards are always present on the beach.

From this beach, the Grotto Trail, the Mugu Peak Trail, and the Backbone Trail are accessible. It provides a gateway to the mountain wilderness, and the trees around the water’s edge enhance its beauty.

This beach has picnic tables, a nature center, tide pools, and barbecues. Body surfing and fishing are other attractions. Restrooms and showers are present on the beach. This beach is ideal for soaking in the sun, swimming, or hiking with pets.

• Dog rules: Dogs on a leash are allowed on the beach, campgrounds, and day-use areas. However, they are restricted to backcountry trails and dirt roads.
• Timings: From 8 am to sunset
• Entry fee & Parking: $3 per hour for parking 
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: Hotel June Malibu, Calamigos Guest Ranch, and Beach Club
• Address: 9000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

7. Point Mugu Beach

Mugu Beach is North of Mugu Rock in Point Mugu State Park. It is situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and offers five miles of wide shoreline. This beach is 15 miles south of Oxnard along the Pacific Coast Highway. Hills, dunes, and rocky cliffs give this beach a rugged look.

In the south of Mugu Rock, a man-made arch is very steep yet photogenic. Waves hit this particular place, which is both magnificent and dangerous. 

This beach is famous for its gorgeous sunsets. Owners can enter the water along with their pups. Several beach activities, like surfing, fishing, and swimming, can be enjoyed here. It offers 70 miles of trails that are ideal for exploring adventurous places. Lifeguards are present here because the sea can get rough at times. Toilets and coin-operated showers are available.

• Dog rules: Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park, including on the water. Owners must carry clean-up bags. Pups are restricted to the backcountry trails.  
• Timings: From 8 am to sunset
• Entry fee & parking: $3 per hour and $12 per day per car
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thousand Oaks-Newbury Park, Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Address: E Pacific Coast Hwy, NAS Point Mugu, CA 93042

8. Rosie’s Dog Beach

It’s among the rarest beaches and is a little away from Malibu. It has an off-leash area for dogs. The beach spans 4 acres, and the dogs run on the sand. The place is excellent for walking or having family time. There are showers, restrooms, and water fountains for the pups and us. 

Bags and pooper scoopers are available here, but owners are advised to bring their own. Dogs are not allowed after a particular time. This area is not fenced; hence, the pup’s parents must be careful. 

• Dog rules: Dogs should be on leashes on their way to the dog beach. Inside the dog beach, they have an off-leash area. Only one dog per adult is allowed. 
• Timings: From 6 am to 8 pm, every day.
• Entry fee & Parking: They charge 25 cents every fifteen minutes from 6 am to 8 pm.
• Nearby Pet-Friendly Hotels: The Pacific Inn, Golden Sails Hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott Cypress Los Alamitos. 
• Address: 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803, United States.

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Dog-Friendly Beaches Near You in Malibu

Conclusion

Exploring dog-friendly beaches in Malibu was the perfect mix of fun and calm for me and my pup. We loved the scenic trails at Leo Carrillo State Park and the peaceful vibes at Sycamore Cove. With space to run, play, and relax by the ocean, Malibu gave us a beach day we’ll never forget.

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