Marin County is a fun place to spend time outdoors with your dog. The weather may not be conducive to swimming all the time, but any day is a good day to go to the beach for fun in the sun. There are many dog-friendly beaches in Marin County to consider taking your dog to. Here’s a list of 10 excellent choices that every dog and dog owner should love!

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Marin County, CA

  1. Bolinas Beach

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A post shared by Lindsey Smith (@lynzcarol)

🗺️ Address: 📍 Bolinas, CA 94924

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Popular surfing spot

Free street parking

Dogs may be unleashed

Main beach access is at end of Brighton Avenue

Restrooms are available next to the tennis courts

  1. San Quentin Beach

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A post shared by Walk This Way Ca | Dog Walker (@walkthiswaycalifornia)

🗺️ Address: 📍 23 Main St. San Quentin, CA 94964

🕐 Open Times: Not posted

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Rarely crowded

Plenty of beachfront to walk and run for exercise

Gentle waves make it easy for dogs to swim

Amazing views of the bay

Most available parking has 1-hour time limits

  1. Dillon Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 1 Beach Ave. Dillon Beach, CA 94929

🕐 Open Times: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: $10 parking fee

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Privately owned by Dillon Beach Resort

Waves can be big and make swimming tough

Low tide offers an opportunity to explore tidepools

Cabins are available to rent for overnight stays

Plenty of sandy beach space available for running and games like fetch

  1. Agate Beach

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A post shared by Bryan Porcher (@paddlepus)

🗺️ Address: 📍 330 Ocean Parkway. Bolinas, CA 94924

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Great place to check out tidepool marine life

Enjoy amazing views of Farallon Islands on sunny days

Popular beach for seabirds, which can be exciting for dogs

Waves are gentle enough to allow for swimming

Free parking and restrooms available

  1. Muir Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 200 Pacific Way. Muir Beach, CA 94965

🕐 Open Times: 9:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Hiking trails are accessible from the north and south beach areas

The northernmost area of the beach is considered clothing optional

An abundance of monarch butterflies can be spotted each autumn

Fires are allowed in available fire rings

Dogs must remain within sight and earshot at all times

  1. Chicken Ranch Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Inverness, CA 94937

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

No shade available on the beach

Swimming is enjoyable when the weather permits it

Perfect place to fly a kite

Plenty of shells to find when the tide is low

Teach your dog to paddleboard here

  1. South Rodeo Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 Mendell Rd. Mill Valley, CA 94941

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Typically gets extremely crowded during the weekends

Exciting trails for hiking overlook the beach

Brackish waters are common

Enjoy ocean access on both sides of the beach

Onsite picnic tables and barbecue pits available

  1. Limantour Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 1390 Limantour Spit Rd. Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Dogs are allowed on the 2 miles of beach between the parking lot and the southeast edge

Drone usage is prohibited

Composting toilets available

Waste bags must be self-provided

Take trails through the wetlands for a less crowded experience

  1. Pacifica Esplanade Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 360 Esplanade Ave. Pacifica, CA 94044

🕐 Open Times: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: In certain areas

Dogs must be leashed everywhere but the north end of the beach

Harsh undertows make swimming here dangerous

Beach is only accessible via trails from the road

Features steep rugged bluffs to marvel at

The beach gets extremely narrow during high tide

  1. McNears Beach

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🗺️ Address: 📍 201 Cantera Way. San Rafael, CA 94901

🕐 Open Times: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during winter, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during spring and fall, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during summer

💲 Cost: $5 parking fee

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Trained dogs on leashes and service dogs only are allowed

Offers excellent views of San Pablo Bay

Fishing is allowed on the fishing pier with a permit

Parking lot and fishing pier are wheelchair accessible

Tennis and pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis

Conclusion Now that you have so many awesome dog-friendly beaches to choose from, you and your dog can stay active outdoors all year long without getting too bored with your surroundings. Some of these beaches allow dogs off leash, but others don’t, so be sure to pay attention to the rules before heading to any beach.

Featured Image Credit: Pauline Loroy, Unsplash

Marin County is a fun place to spend time outdoors with your dog. The weather may not be conducive to swimming all the time, but any day is a good day to go to the beach for fun in the sun. There are many dog-friendly beaches in Marin County to consider taking your dog to. Here’s a list of 10 excellent choices that every dog and dog owner should love!

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Marin County, CA

1. Bolinas Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lindsey Smith (@lynzcarol)

🗺️ Address: 📍 Bolinas, CA 94924

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Popular surfing spot

Free street parking

Dogs may be unleashed

Main beach access is at end of Brighton Avenue

Restrooms are available next to the tennis courts

2. San Quentin Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Walk This Way Ca | Dog Walker (@walkthiswaycalifornia)

🗺️ Address: 📍 23 Main St. San Quentin, CA 94964

🕐 Open Times: Not posted

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Rarely crowded

Plenty of beachfront to walk and run for exercise

Gentle waves make it easy for dogs to swim

Amazing views of the bay

Most available parking has 1-hour time limits

3. Dillon Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cindy (@cjsearles)

🗺️ Address: 📍 1 Beach Ave. Dillon Beach, CA 94929

🕐 Open Times: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: $10 parking fee

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Privately owned by Dillon Beach Resort

Waves can be big and make swimming tough

Low tide offers an opportunity to explore tidepools

Cabins are available to rent for overnight stays

Plenty of sandy beach space available for running and games like fetch

4. Agate Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bryan Porcher (@paddlepus)

🗺️ Address: 📍 330 Ocean Parkway. Bolinas, CA 94924

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Great place to check out tidepool marine life

Enjoy amazing views of Farallon Islands on sunny days

Popular beach for seabirds, which can be exciting for dogs

Waves are gentle enough to allow for swimming

Free parking and restrooms available

5. Muir Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milo (@milo_strongpom)

🗺️ Address: 📍 200 Pacific Way. Muir Beach, CA 94965

🕐 Open Times: 9:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Hiking trails are accessible from the north and south beach areas

The northernmost area of the beach is considered clothing optional

An abundance of monarch butterflies can be spotted each autumn

Fires are allowed in available fire rings

Dogs must remain within sight and earshot at all times

6. Chicken Ranch Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EveyTheAussie (@evey_theaussie)

🗺️ Address: 📍 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Inverness, CA 94937

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

No shade available on the beach

Swimming is enjoyable when the weather permits it

Perfect place to fly a kite

Plenty of shells to find when the tide is low

Teach your dog to paddleboard here

7. South Rodeo Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany (@bheitkotter)

🗺️ Address: 📍 Mendell Rd. Mill Valley, CA 94941

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: Yes

Typically gets extremely crowded during the weekends

Exciting trails for hiking overlook the beach

Brackish waters are common

Enjoy ocean access on both sides of the beach

Onsite picnic tables and barbecue pits available

8. Limantour Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Moxy Hamilton (@moxyminpin)

🗺️ Address: 📍 1390 Limantour Spit Rd. Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

🕐 Open Times: Sunrise to sunset

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Dogs are allowed on the 2 miles of beach between the parking lot and the southeast edge

Drone usage is prohibited

Composting toilets available

Waste bags must be self-provided

Take trails through the wetlands for a less crowded experience

9. Pacifica Esplanade Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CAPTAIN & TONY (@captainandtony)

🗺️ Address: 📍 360 Esplanade Ave. Pacifica, CA 94044

🕐 Open Times: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

💲 Cost: Free

🐕 Off-Leash: In certain areas

Dogs must be leashed everywhere but the north end of the beach

Harsh undertows make swimming here dangerous

Beach is only accessible via trails from the road

Features steep rugged bluffs to marvel at

The beach gets extremely narrow during high tide

10. McNears Beach

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Débora Teixeira (@princebeaunugget)

🗺️ Address: 📍 201 Cantera Way. San Rafael, CA 94901

🕐 Open Times: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during winter, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during spring and fall, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during summer

💲 Cost: $5 parking fee

🐕 Off-Leash: No

Trained dogs on leashes and service dogs only are allowed

Offers excellent views of San Pablo Bay

Fishing is allowed on the fishing pier with a permit

Parking lot and fishing pier are wheelchair accessible

Tennis and pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lindsey Smith (@lynzcarol)

A post shared by Lindsey Smith (@lynzcarol)

View this post on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

  • Popular surfing spot
  • Free street parking
  • Dogs may be unleashed
  • Main beach access is at end of Brighton Avenue
  • Restrooms are available next to the tennis courts

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Walk This Way Ca | Dog Walker (@walkthiswaycalifornia)

A post shared by Walk This Way Ca | Dog Walker (@walkthiswaycalifornia)

  • Rarely crowded
  • Plenty of beachfront to walk and run for exercise
  • Gentle waves make it easy for dogs to swim
  • Amazing views of the bay
  • Most available parking has 1-hour time limits

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cindy (@cjsearles)

A post shared by Cindy (@cjsearles)

  • Privately owned by Dillon Beach Resort
  • Waves can be big and make swimming tough
  • Low tide offers an opportunity to explore tidepools
  • Cabins are available to rent for overnight stays
  • Plenty of sandy beach space available for running and games like fetch

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bryan Porcher (@paddlepus)

A post shared by Bryan Porcher (@paddlepus)

  • Great place to check out tidepool marine life
  • Enjoy amazing views of Farallon Islands on sunny days
  • Popular beach for seabirds, which can be exciting for dogs
  • Waves are gentle enough to allow for swimming
  • Free parking and restrooms available

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milo (@milo_strongpom)

A post shared by Milo (@milo_strongpom)

  • Hiking trails are accessible from the north and south beach areas
  • The northernmost area of the beach is considered clothing optional
  • An abundance of monarch butterflies can be spotted each autumn
  • Fires are allowed in available fire rings
  • Dogs must remain within sight and earshot at all times

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EveyTheAussie (@evey_theaussie)

A post shared by EveyTheAussie (@evey_theaussie)

  • No shade available on the beach
  • Swimming is enjoyable when the weather permits it
  • Perfect place to fly a kite
  • Plenty of shells to find when the tide is low
  • Teach your dog to paddleboard here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany (@bheitkotter)

A post shared by Brittany (@bheitkotter)

  • Typically gets extremely crowded during the weekends
  • Exciting trails for hiking overlook the beach
  • Brackish waters are common
  • Enjoy ocean access on both sides of the beach
  • Onsite picnic tables and barbecue pits available

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Moxy Hamilton (@moxyminpin)

A post shared by Moxy Hamilton (@moxyminpin)

  • Dogs are allowed on the 2 miles of beach between the parking lot and the southeast edge
  • Drone usage is prohibited
  • Composting toilets available
  • Waste bags must be self-provided
  • Take trails through the wetlands for a less crowded experience

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CAPTAIN & TONY (@captainandtony)

A post shared by CAPTAIN & TONY (@captainandtony)

  • Dogs must be leashed everywhere but the north end of the beach
  • Harsh undertows make swimming here dangerous
  • Beach is only accessible via trails from the road
  • Features steep rugged bluffs to marvel at
  • The beach gets extremely narrow during high tide

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Débora Teixeira (@princebeaunugget)

A post shared by Débora Teixeira (@princebeaunugget)

  • Trained dogs on leashes and service dogs only are allowed
  • Offers excellent views of San Pablo Bay
  • Fishing is allowed on the fishing pier with a permit
  • Parking lot and fishing pier are wheelchair accessible
  • Tennis and pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis

Conclusion

Now that you have so many awesome dog-friendly beaches to choose from, you and your dog can stay active outdoors all year long without getting too bored with your surroundings. Some of these beaches allow dogs off leash, but others don’t, so be sure to pay attention to the rules before heading to any beach.

Featured Image Credit: Pauline Loroy, Unsplash