.jpg)
Life's a beach for those dogs lucky enough to live near one of the Top 10 Dog Beaches in the country, as ranked by Petside.com.
“At Petside, we know that a day at the beach is even better when you can bring your four-legged companion," said Joshua Fried, Director, Petside.com. "So we looked far and wide to identify America's friendliest dog beaches.
Did your local beach make the list?
1. Cape San Blas (Port St. Joe, Florida): this beach gets top honors for its year-round, leash-free policies that let your dog frolick along the entire beach! Your dog can even learn how to sail and eat at nearby doggy-friendly restaurants.
2. Quiet Waters Park (Annapolis, Maryland): a fenced-off area just for pooches and the annual “Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash” with a costume parade for dogs and their owners.
3. Block Island (Rhode Island): lighthouses, stunning bluffs, a ban on all cars and a relaxed leash policy makes it a safe and fun haven for you and your pooch to roam.
4. Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach, Oregon): dogs have to stay on-leash on four miles of beach with pretty views; it's also near town, which welcomes dogs into its hotels, restaurants and shops.
5. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg, Florida): tranquil atmosphere, separate fenced-in areas for big dogs and small dogs, dog showers and fresh drinking water.
6. Carmel City Beach (Carmel, California): white sand beaches next to one of the most pet-friendliest towns in the country, Carmel welcomes pooches into shops, art galleries, inns, and restaurants and the town even has a fresh-water drinking fountain called the "Fountain of Woof."
7. Jekyll Island (Georgia): 10 miles of pristine, white sand beaches, tidal pools, nature walks...need we say more?
8. Coronado (San Diego, California): home to the country's biggest surfing competition for dogs, this beach is pure fun for people and pooches alike.
9. Stewart Beach (Galveston, Texas): pets are allowed on this "family-family" beach, as are chairs, umbrellas and barbecue grills!
10. Montrose Beach (Chicago, Illinois): rock walls and a fence provide a safe designated area for your dogs to run around off leash.
Comments
Sorry, but Jekyll Island has a leash ordinance for the beach as well as the rest of the Island. A new ordinance was just enacted by the Jekyll Island Board.
Just to add to what Sandy says, Jekyll Island is by law 35% developable, 65% natural, which makes it an ideal environment for families to enjoy and learn about the natural ecosystems of a coastal barrier island. However, Jekyll is also home to many threatened and endangered migrating and nesting birds and nesting sea turtles. Unleashed dogs and other animals are a danger to these species, and that is one big reason for the leash ordinance. Leashed dogs are welcome to run on the beach in the company of their responsible owners. To watch one dog having a great time on Jekyll's beach, search YouTube for the video entitled "Dottie Says Save Jekyll Island!"
Where is Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, CA? Cannot believe that one is left off when you have others on the list that are not even technically leash free!
Go check out their website. This site will not let me post the link.
My dog LOVES this place! He starts howling the minute he smells the ocean!
That last thing Jekyll wants to be known for is a dog/pet friendly beach. There are numerous species of wildlife that use Jekyll in their life cycle. some of these are endangered. That was the one of the reasons a new pet ordinance. Please do not come to Jekyll expecting it to be friendly to any domesticated animal.
I can not believe how ignorant people are in this day and age. Please read all of the articles about beaches that have to be closed for periods of time because of the pollution from dogs and cats.
We've taken our dachshund to Jekyll Island and really enjoyed it. I will say that she was on a leash anyway so a leash ordinance really wouldn't affect us. We clean up after her and watch her. So there sour pusses!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!