Monterey.pet

Park & beach rules

Summarised from each city's municipal code and parks pages, with a link to the source and the date we last checked. Rules change and signs win — if a posted sign says otherwise, follow the sign.

  • No dogs
  • On leash
  • Off leash · voice control
  • Off leash · fenced

Pacific Grove

Lovers Point Park

On leash

Paved paths only — not on the beach or the grass

The Peninsula's postcard cove. Dogs may walk the paths on a leash, but the sand and the lawn are off-limits — which is exactly why we made the game.

The rules
  • PGMC § 14.08.030(a) bans dogs from public parks; § 14.08.030(b)(4) makes an on-leash exception for Lovers Point Park "excluding the beach and grass areas".
  • Leashes are limited to six feet citywide (PGMC § 10.04.020).
  • The City's Animal Services page lists Lovers Point Park as no-dogs — expect signage; stay on the paved shoreline path and keep off the sand and lawn.
  • Pick up after your dog (PGMC § 10.04.140).
  • Walk the Ocean View Blvd shoreline path instead — it's on the leash-permitted coastal trail and has the same views.
  • Want off-leash? George Washington Park is a few blocks up the hill.

Berwick Park

On leash

The sloping lawn between Lovers Point and Ocean View Blvd. Leashed dogs are permitted under the municipal code, though the City's Animal Services page lists it as no-dogs — check the signs.

The rules
  • PGMC § 14.08.030(b)(5): dogs permitted on leash in Berwick Park.
  • Six-foot maximum leash (PGMC § 10.04.020).
  • City Animal Services lists Berwick Park as prohibited on or off leash — follow posted signage.

George Washington Park

Off leash · voice control

Off leash sunrise–9 am and 4 pm–sunset in the designated area

Pacific Grove's big pine-forest park and its main off-leash spot, with morning and late-afternoon free-run hours.

The rules
  • Off leash between sunrise and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and sunset, in the portion bounded by Short Street, Melrose Avenue, Alder Street and Pine Avenue (PGMC § 14.08.030(c)(1)).
  • Your dog must stay within 50 yards of you while off leash.
  • On leash at any time in the portion of the park north of the Little League field (§ 14.08.030(b)(1)).
  • Pick up after your dog (PGMC § 10.04.140).
  • Soft pine-needle paths are easy on paws in summer.

Lynn "Rip" Van Winkle Open Space

Off leash · voice control

Off leash sunrise–9 am and 4 pm–sunset

A quiet Monterey-pine open space off Sunset Drive near Asilomar — a local favourite for a morning off-leash sniff.

The rules
  • Off leash between sunrise and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and sunset; dog must stay within 50 yards of you (PGMC § 14.08.030(c)(2)).
  • On leash at all other times (§ 14.08.030(b)(3)).
  • Pick up after your dog.

Asilomar State Beach

On leash

The one Pacific Grove beach where dogs are welcome: a mile of white sand and dunes with a boardwalk coast trail on top.

The rules
  • Dogs allowed on the beach, trails and conference grounds — on leash, no off-leash (California State Parks).
  • Not allowed inside conference-ground buildings.
  • Respect temporary beach closures for nesting Black Oystercatchers and keep dogs leashed near the rocks.
  • Park along Sunset Drive; there are 27 signed access points.

Other Pacific Grove beaches

No dogs

Apart from Asilomar, Pacific Grove's beaches are closed to dogs — including the sand at Lovers Point.

The rules
  • City of Pacific Grove Animal Services: dogs are prohibited on all Pacific Grove beaches except Asilomar State Beach (leashed).
  • The shoreline path above the beaches is fine on a leash (PGMC § 14.08.030(b)(2)).

Monterey

El Estero Dog Park

Off leash · fenced

Monterey's fenced off-leash park beside Lake El Estero, with separate areas for small and large dogs.

The rules
  • Open dawn to dusk; located across from the El Estero Park Center.
  • Separate areas for small dogs and larger dogs.
  • Water is available but bring your own bowl; bags provided — clean up after your dog.
  • Rules are posted at the park entrance; dogs must be licensed in the City of Monterey.

Monterey city parks

On leash

6-foot leash, held by someone who can restrain the dog

Dogs are welcome in Monterey's parks during open hours on a six-foot leash, with a handful of playgrounds and ballparks off-limits.

The rules
  • Monterey City Code Sec. 23-8: dogs must at all times be on a leash no longer than six feet, held by a person capable of restraining the dog (except at the dog park).
  • No dogs on playground structures or sport courts, in the El Estero picnic area, Skate Park, Dennis the Menace Playground, Whispering Pines Park, Larkin Park, the ballparks, Spray Avenue Tot Lot, on artificial turf, or during permitted special events.
  • Pick up after your dog (Sec. 6-16.6) — fines up to $100 / $200 / $500.

Del Monte Beach

On leash

The long sandy stretch east of Wharf 2 — dogs on a six-foot leash, with the Coastal Rec Trail running right behind the dunes.

The rules
  • On leash, maximum six feet (SPCA for Monterey County pet-friendly list; City of Monterey Sec. 23-8).
  • Sections toward Seaside and Marina close seasonally for nesting Western Snowy Plovers — obey posted signs.

Seaside

Pacchetti Dog Park

Off leash · fenced

Seaside's first off-leash dog park, named for the city's first paid fire chief, at Kimball Avenue and Noche Buena.

The rules
  • Open dawn till dusk (City of Seaside facility page).
  • Dogs must be collared, licensed, vaccinated and parasite-free; bring the current rabies certificate.
  • No dogs in heat or puppies under four months; limit of three dogs per handler.
  • Keep the leash in hand and your dog in view at all times; leash law applies outside the fence.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel Beach

Off leash · voice control

Off leash under voice control on the sand; leash up at the stairs

The famous white-sand beach where dogs run free under voice control — the Peninsula's happiest place for a dog.

The rules
  • Dogs allowed off leash on Carmel Beach but must remain under voice control (CMC 6.08.015(B)).
  • "Voice command" means: you carry a leash, the dog stays within 25 feet, returns to within three feet on command, and stays within three feet when other people or animals are near.
  • Leash your dog at the bottom of the stairways or sand ramps when leaving; on leash everywhere else in Carmel including the Scenic Road pathway.
  • Bags are provided at the access points — pick up, and don't leave bags on the beach.
  • Early mornings are calmest; afternoons get windy at the north end.

Carmel River State Beach

On leash

Quieter than Carmel Beach, with the river lagoon and bird sanctuary — leashed dogs only.

The rules
  • On leash, maximum six feet (SPCA for Monterey County pet-friendly list).
  • Keep well clear of the lagoon bird sanctuary.

Carmel Valley

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Off leash · voice control

Leash or immediate voice and visual control

Four-and-a-half thousand sunny acres of oak woodland and river trails — the Peninsula's best big walk for dogs.

The rules
  • Domestic animals are welcome if under leash or immediate voice and visual control (Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District).
  • Clean up after your pet and use the trash receptacles.
  • Open dawn to dusk; no overnight use.
  • It's often 10–15°F warmer than the coast — carry water and check pavement in the car park.

Monterey County

Monterey County parks

On leash

7-foot leash, except in a designated dog park

Dogs are welcome at every County park — Jacks Peak, Toro, Laguna Seca and more — on a leash no longer than seven feet.

The rules
  • Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 7 feet and supervised at all times, except when in a designated dog park (County Parks Pet Policy).
  • Two dogs per campsite where camping is offered; proof of rabies vaccination required (Monterey County Ordinance 14.12.100).
  • Special-event promoters may set their own dog policies.