Leffingwell Landing

Just like mountain and forest trails, California has an abundance of coastal trails that will give you and your best bud a taste of the ocean. One of the more dog-friendlier places to take your pup to see the ocean is the Leffingwell Landing State Park Trail, a trail inside the park that follows through a vegetation and grassy area with boardwalks, trails, and beach access.

The park has 52 acres of rough natural land, with two parking areas and natural paths. The northern parking lot is the starting point for most hikers. This paved parking lot connects to a sandy and crushed stone trail that forks off right away. The right fork takes hikers to a boardwalk overlook that looks over the ocean from a bluff. Heading back to the fork, then taking the left fork continues along the trail that turns into an asphalt terrain, with a 2-foot girth. 

The trail follows south, with shaded portions under trees and grasslands. The path stays close along the bluff, where hikers can enjoy the smell and sights of the ocean. After a fourth of a mile, the trail meets another fork, where one end leads to stairs and another boardwalk overlook of the ocean, where you can enjoy whale watching, and otters in the tide pools. The boardwalk has information boards that give details on otter and whale migration to the area and even offers steps that lead down to the beach and small tide pools. Be aware that pups are not allowed on the beach itself. After taking in sights of the ocean, the other option of the fork leads to the southern parking area, where there are picnic tables, barbeque stands, and restrooms for hikers.

This sandy trail is perfect for taking Fido out to, where they can enjoy plenty of space to play and walk all while enjoying the views of the ocean and rocky cliffside.