From the Coastside Pawty Crew — where every walk deserves a treat at the end.
If your dog could plan a perfect day, it would probably look a lot like dog-friendly Half Moon Bay: salty air, miles of trail to sniff, sand between the toes, and a snack break with an ocean view. Here’s our pup-approved guide to the coast — the beaches, the trails, and the patios where your best friend is genuinely welcome.
Key takeaways
- Dog-friendly Half Moon Bay starts at Poplar Beach, where leashed dogs are welcome on the sand, with leashes six feet or shorter.
- Half Moon Bay State Beach does not allow dogs on the sand, but dogs are welcome on the Coastside Trail, in picnic areas, and in the campground.
- The Coastside Trail is a flat, about seven-mile blufftop trail where leashed dogs are welcome.
- Dog-friendly patios include Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay Coffee Co., and Granola’s Coffee House.
- Pack water and a bowl, towels, poop bags, treats, and a leash six feet or shorter.
Poplar Beach: the sandy star
Key fact: Leashed dogs are welcome on the sand at Poplar Beach.
This is the beach day your dog has been dreaming about. Leashed dogs are welcome right on the sand at Poplar Beach, so your pup can wade in the waves, chase the foam, and do their very important job of inspecting every single smell.
A few things to know before you go:
- Leashes stay on (six feet or shorter), and yes, they do check.
- It’s open sunrise to sunset, and the walk down to the sand is a bit steep — worth it, but plan your carrying strategy for tiny legs.
- There’s no dog water on the beach, so pack a bottle and a bowl. Sandy tongues get thirsty.
- Parking runs about $2 an hour.
Pro tip from the pack: bring a towel for the car ride home. Your dog will find the wettest, sandiest patch of beach. It’s a law of nature.
The Coastside Trail: the blufftop stroll
Key fact: Leashed dogs are welcome on the flat, about seven-mile Coastside Trail.
Not every pup is a beach dog, and that’s okay — the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is the move for sniffers who prefer to keep their paws dry. It’s a flat, easy trail that runs about seven miles along the bluffs, with ocean views the whole way, and leashed dogs are welcome.
It’s stroller- and wheelchair-friendly too, so the whole family can come along. Just know that parking near the popular beach access points can fill up, so an early start is your friend.
One important heads-up: State Beach sand is a no-pup zone
Here’s the mix-up that catches people: dogs are not allowed on the sand at Half Moon Bay State Beach. But don’t turn the car around — pups are welcome on the Coastside Trail, in the picnic areas, and in the campground there. So if you park at State Beach, enjoy the trail and the picnic tables, and save the sandy zoomies for Poplar Beach.
Refuel like a local
All that sniffing around dog-friendly Half Moon Bay works up an appetite — yours and theirs.
- Sam’s Chowder House has a dog-friendly patio facing the Pacific. First come, first served, and the ocean view is free.
- For a coffee stop, Half Moon Bay Coffee Co. has a dog-friendly outdoor patio, and Granola’s Coffee House has pet-friendly tables (and a pumpkin spice oat latte worth writing home about).
And for your pup’s refuel? Tuck a pouch of Coastside Pawty’s crunchy chicken treats in your pocket. Crunchy, chicken-y, and just the right size for a good-beach-day reward.
The pack list
- Water + a collapsible bowl or a portable collapsible water bottle
- Towels (one for the dog, one for your car seats — trust us)
- Poop bags, because good beach citizens keep these beaches dog-friendly for everyone
- Treats, obviously
- A leash six feet or shorter
Before you go
Rules and hours can change in dog-friendly Half Moon Bay, so it’s always worth a quick check before you load up the car — and coast weather can flip from sunshine to fog in a hurry, so layers are a good idea for the humans too.
Happy tails, Coastside pups. We’ll see you out there — probably at Poplar Beach, probably sandy, definitely happy.
— The Coastside Pawty Crew
Frequently asked questions about dog-friendly Half Moon Bay
Which beach allows dogs on the sand?
Poplar Beach. Leashed dogs are welcome right on the sand, with leashes six feet or shorter.
Are dogs allowed at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
Not on the sand. Dogs are welcome on the Coastside Trail, in the picnic areas, and in the campground there.
Where can I eat with my dog in dog-friendly Half Moon Bay?
Sam’s Chowder House has a dog-friendly patio facing the Pacific. Half Moon Bay Coffee Co. has a dog-friendly outdoor patio, and Granola’s Coffee House has pet-friendly tables.
What should I bring?
Water and a collapsible bowl or a portable collapsible water bottle, towels, poop bags, treats, and a leash six feet or shorter.
