Willow Creek Beach

Taking your dog to the beach is an experience they’ll never forget. This is where they get to sniff the sea air, take a dip, and spend quality time with family on the beach. It’s a great day outdoors and thanks to dog-friendly beaches like Willow Creek, your pooch doesn’t have to stay home.

The scenic view from the car-park is captivating and the beach itself is a savage, natural setting your dog will love. This beach is part of the Los Padres National Forest and opens to the public during the day. The beach is relatively small with a sandy, rocky shore backed by rugged, elevated cliffs. Saint Martins rock is an iconic landmark adding an alluring invitation to the naturalist photographers and surfers looking to catch a wave.

Dogs are required to be on-leash and to keep this beach tidy for all to enjoy. Bring litter bags and clean up after your Labrador, Rottweiler, or Maltese. Vault-style restrooms and picnic tables are present on the road leading down to the beach and changing tides make Willow Creek a challenging swimming area, as there are times the shore is inaccessible. Big Sur beaches are the wilder side of Californian shores, but are a magnificent example of nature in its untamed form.

Access is off Highway One down a narrow road with enough parking for around ten cars. Your dog won’t mind how long it takes to get there as they’ll love exploring the shore and tapping their toes in the Pacific Ocean. Willow Creek is not usually crowded, but doggy etiquette is essential so everyone on the beach has a hassle-free time.

Go rock-hopping with your pooch and if you're lucky, you might find a few Jade stones to take home or check out the dog-friendly Willow Creek or Los Padres Forest trails. This pet-friendly beach is a diamond in the rough and perfect for a fun day out.