Orange County's
Dog Friendly Parks

Dog Friendly Parks...where dog + park = happiness :)

If there is one thing Orange County is not short of, its PARKS! We call it the "P" word, because as soon as Marley hears "Park", she is at the door with ball in mouth.

If your pooch prefers to run leash-free, visit our Orange County Dog Park Guide where your 4-legged friend can sprint, scamper & socialize at over 10 great dog parks in Orange County.

But here you'll find our other favorite dog friendly parks...parks with trails, parks with lakes, and parks with beautiful views...listed alphabetically by city, where leashed dogs are permitted to happily sniff & explore.

Having trouble with your pooch pulling on the leash?

Stop over at Ten Step Dog Training, a fantastic site where you'll learn ten easy steps to making your dog your best friend, including how to walk comfortably with your pal right by your side, without straining at the leash.

Ready to blaze new trails? Grab your pal and let's explore Orange County's Best Dog Friendly Parks!

Costa Mesa

A thirty five acre dog friendly park with winding trails and open spaces where dog owners love to let their pups explore.

970 Arbor Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(714) 548-4165

Talbert Nature Preserve

Located north & south of Victoria Street between Pacific Avenue & the Santa Ana River, the Talbert Nature Preserve features hiling trails, a botanical preserve, a family picnic area & free parking.

Here you can connect to the beach at the Santa Ana River Mouth, between Huntington & Newport Beaches (crossing underneath the PCH overpass).

Open 7am to sunset year round.

10151 Victoria Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949)923-2250

Dana Point

As featured on our Dana Point Spotlight, 7 acre Heritage Park boasts unbelievable 180 degree views of the Dana Point Marina & a Dog Fun Zone, a small fenced area where your pup can run free.

Open from 6am to 10pm, this is a fantastic spot to enjoy the sun setting over the harbor.

34400 Old Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949)248-3500

Pines Park

In our opinion, one of Dana Point's best sunset spots. The views here are amazing and you'll find plenty of dog friends sniffing around or just gazing out at the setting sun.

34941 Camino Capistrano
Dana Point, CA 92629

Open 6am to 10pm

Salt Creek Beach Park

Featured on our Dog Friendly Beaches page, Salt Creek Beach Park is Dana Point's premiere spot for an ocean view stroll or a seaside picnic. Pay & display parking costs $1/hour. A dog friendly park not to be missed in Dana Point!

Open 5am to midnight daily

33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949)923-2280

Fountain Valley

Now this is a park! Featuring 2 fishing lakes, 3 golf courses, 2 soccer fields, baseball & softball diamonds, an archery range, bike & paddle boats, a playground, fitness course, fire rings, a wilderness area and family picnic shelters...you won't be short of activities!

Open:Nov. 1 - March 31, 7am to 6:30pm
April 1 - Oct. 31, 7am to 9pm

16801 Euclid
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714)973-6600

Huntington Beach

With over 350 acres of grass, trees, lakes & trails, Huntington Beach's Central Park is the perfect spot for a serene afternoon retreat. You might think you're lost in the forest while exploring over 6 miles of paved trails. Enjoy an afternoon of disc golf at the 18 hole course or head over to Best Friend Dog Park found on the east side of Edwards Street.

Park entrances can be found on Edwards, Golden West, Gothard, Slater, Talbert, and Ellis Streets.

Open from 5am to 10pm
(714)536-5486

Harriet M. Weider Regional Park

A unique dogfriendly park with the playground & parking lot made of recycled materials. Hiking trails offer beautiful views of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Open 7am to sunset

19251 Seapoint Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(949)923-2250

Irvine

This 345 acre woodsy dog friendly park includes a 9 acre lake, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, model sail boating, hiking & equestrian trails, an amphitheater, and plenty of picnic space.

Marley & I often stop here to visit the ducks and enjoy a short walk around the lake. Parking costs $3.00 weekdays, $5.00 weekends...but you may park for free in designated stalls for 20 minutes if you just want to stroll the lake.

Open: Nov. 1 - March 31, 7am to 6pm
April 1 - Oct. 31, 7am to 9pm

18712 University Drive
Irvine, CA 92612-2601
(949)923-2220

Laguna Beach

Alta Laguna Park offers a baseball field, six tennis courts, half basketball court, walking trails and children's playground.

Here you will also find trail entrances to Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park with dog friendly trails & beautiful 360 degree vistas.

North end of Alta Laguna Blvd & Park Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(714) 497-0716

Crescent Bay Point Park

You won't find long trails here, but you will find the best vantage point of all Laguna Beach at Crescent Bay's Point Park.

Located at the end of Crescent Bay Drive in North Laguna, a great little stop before heading to Heisler or Main Beach Parks. Street parking is free. Don't forget your camera!

Open 6am to 10pm

300 Crescent Bay Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(714)834-2400

Heisler Park

A 2 mile bluff-top stretch located on Cliff Drive, Heisler Park is where you'll find stunning views of Laguna's coastline. The pathway connects to various coves and leads down to the popular boardwalk-lined Main Beach.

A great picnic and sunset spot, the Heisler path is where we take our morning stroll when the beach is off limits in the summer. But when dogs are allowed on the beach, don't forget to check out the tide pools just north of Main Beach at Heisler Cove.

Cliff Drive between Myrtle & Aster Streets
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Main Beach Park

Connected to Heisler Park via a pathway to the boardwalk, Main Beach Park is located at Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway in the heart of downtown Laguna. Cruising the boardwalk, you'll find basketball, volleyball, surfing, maybe a little chess game...and you'll meet plenty of fellow furry friends along the way.

North Coast Highway between Broadway Street & Laguna Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949)497-0352

Moulton Meadows Park

Located at Del Mar & Balboa Avenues above Aliso Canyon, leashed dogs are permitted to explore the trails which are part of Moulton Meadows Park. This dog friendly park connects to the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 360 degree views of the ocean, Laguna & surrounding cities make this a great morning trek. Don't forget to stop & visit the fire goats who live up here!

Del Mar & Balboa Avenues
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949)497-0716

Jump from Dog Friendly Parks to our Laguna Beach Spotlight for much more on this favorite city of ours!

Laguna Niguel

This beautiful tree studded dog friendly park includes over 230 acres including 44 acre Laguna Niguel Lake claiming to be the finest trout fishery in Southern California.

Besides fishing, Laguna Niquel Regional Park hosts bicycling & hiking trails, boating, equestrian trails, horseshoe pits, firepits, and tennis & volleyball courts.

Parking costs $3.00 weekdays, $5.00 weekends, $7.00 to $10.00 major holidays. No cost to walk into the park.

Open:Nov. 1 - March 31, 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
April 1 - Oct. 31, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

28241 La Paz Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949)923-2240 or (949)923-2243

Mission Viejo

A 22 acre dog friendly park dedicated to Florence Griffith Joyner aka "Flo-Jo", located in her home town of Mission Viejo.

Marley & I enjoy the two walking trails which lead to fantastic views of Mission Viejo Lake. Take the short upper trail or follow the lower trail, cross the street at Applegate and continue the trail over to Melinda Road for gorgeous panoramic lake views.

Open 7am to 11pm

22760 Olympiad Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Newport Beach

Found on our Newport Beach spotlight, this is one of the few remaining estuaries in Southern California, home to rare & endangered species and renowned as one of the finest bird watching sites in North America.

Open daily 7am to Sunset

2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949)923-2290

Rancho Santa Margarita

This 1 mile walking path and exercise course is a beautiful spot for an afternoon stroll. Pick up a sandwich at Mesa Food & Liquor to enjoy a lakeside picnic with your pooch...where you might spot a turtle swimming by.

21472 Avenida de los Fundadores
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949)858-1390

Trabuco Canyon

If hiking rural wilderness trails is what you & your husky are looking for, O'Neill Regional Park is waiting for you!

Found at the northeast end of El Toro Road (which turns into Live Oak Canyon Road), this 1,700 acre dog friendly park includes over 6 miles of hiking trails and dog friendly camping in a hidden, woodland setting. Marley and her cousin Recky enjoyed hiking Eagle Trail during our visit to this fantastic wilderness park...you certainly won't think you're in Orange County!

Open 7am to sunset year around, closed 3 days following rain

O'Neill Regional Park
30892 Trabuco Canyon Road
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
(949)923-2260 or (949)923-2256



Have a favorite dog friendly park of your own in Orange County? Contact Us! We'd love to check out its dog friendly park potential!

Jump from Dog Friendly Parks to our OC Dog Parks Guide