Mitchell's Cove Beach is the only off-leash beach for pups in Santa Cruz! Yay for that this exists. Long story short: it's a short stretch of beach along the cove. And it has potential but when we visited in September, it was covered in seaweed with seaweed flies/kelp flies all over, making it difficult to navigate and enjoy. Hopefully it was a time of year or time of day issue...or maybe it's the nature of the cove. We read a handful of other reviews about the seaweed too (I get it, it's the ocean. But still, we've been to many other off-leash beaches that feel cleaner). We'll give it another try when we visit Santa Cruz again. Location: It's about 1.0-1.5 mile from the boardwalk/pier. We walked over and it was a pleasant walk through the neighborhoods. Parking: I believe that there are a few spots on West Cliff Drive. Entrance: You walk down a few steep flights of steps to get there from West Cliff Drive. read more

Shout out to Adam (parking meter guy) from the City of Santa Cruz for directing me to a beach where I could take my dog. Located about a mile and a half from the Boardwalk, Michell's Cove Beach is accessible from highway 1. It's a moderately steep walk down the stairs to the beach so consider the shape you and your dog are in to get back up to the road. Mugdha K is correct the beach is filled with seaweed, but we found an area that was clean and clear of seaweed. This was Lola's second time to a dog beach, and she had a blast digging holes in the sand, rolling in the sand and chasing the waves. I live 48 miles from the beach, so this is a special treat to bring my dog Lola to Santa Cruz and find a place for dogs on the beach. read more

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This is filled with seaweed right now. There is no clean space for pups to play. The smell was horrible. read more

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Lemme tell ya, this is a great place for your elderly dog to think that he's much younger and fitter than he actually is, and jump down the stupid cliffs, only to not be able to get back up again. As the telling signs of age rain down, we all must accept our ephemeral existence in this plane (_) I read once, that Hume must seem like Elves to our furry companions, as immortal beings. A dog might get to see you through your adolescence, but you will hit a point where you stop growing and they continue the sad, inevitable process. Therefore we must do all we can to ensure they have the best lives possible, as they will only be here for a brief moment in the longevity of our lives. Fear not friends - we will meet again :) read more

"Bow wow wow" - Funkdobiest. What you see here is the dog beach of Santa Cruz. There is also one in San Diego California and this place is no exception why? This is because every time I come here there are a lot of happy dogs that are running around the beach. If you are a dog fan then come here. If you are student that needs a study break then come here as well. Last time I was here was back when I returned to community college. My church was at retreat and my mother didn't let me go so we decided to come here. Santa Cruz dog beach AKA Mitchell's Cove Beach is a great place for people and their animals to have fun and enjoy the nice weather that Santa Cruz has. This beach is not part of the state so please abide by the local rules. Note: Please be careful here because the steps are very sandy and keep a close eye on your dog. read more

Mitchell's Cove is the perfect spot if you travel with your fur babies! Anytime we go to Santa Cruz we have to stop here! It is the coolest beach!! First of all the views are amazing from above and once you get down to the beach it's incredible to see hundreds, yes hundreds of dogs just running and having fun! Our dogs all loved it so much and made so many new friends! Don't pass this spot! Parking may seem atrocious but just park further away and walk! It's beautiful! Just make sure you bring a couple extra tennis balls for your fur friend! There's so many doggies you will lose a ball or two! read more

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I have been here a time or two, it is a good look out point to get your vitamin sea fix. *FREE* parking but it is located on a cliff so high tide hinders your ability to walk down. The cove is located on a busy street so parking can sometimes be a challenge. When we came the tide was rather high so we were not able to walk all the way down so we made it about 1/2 way and basked in the sun on a rock like a terrarium ridden lizard. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Beaches Near Me

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The beach is located on a busy street in a neighborhood with houses on one side, and on the other, parking spots facing the beach. Parking - Luckily, one spot opened up near the staircase down to the beach. My friends in 2 other cars found spots quickly on a Saturday 11:30AM. Beach - Smaller side and more enclosed, giving more peace of mind for owners concerned that their dog might jet for the sunset with no return. Sand has a lot of ocean debris and seaweed. It also smells really bad. There aren't just a lot of flies---there are layers and layers of flies covering the sand that wherever you go, you have to step on top of them. It's really gross. The pictures are pretty, and it's nice to visit once. Probably won't be coming back to this one. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Beaches Near Me

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My dog absolutely loves to come here. The stairs are the only way onto the beach so your dog isn't going to run away. The beach is clean and owners are good about cleaning up after their own dogs. There is a trash can right next to the stairs at the top of the cliff which is incredibly convenient. Parking is a little hard at times but I've always been able to find a spot. read more

Not sure if the pictures are just really good or if we came on an off day, but this spot was a lot smaller and enclosed than me and my boyfriend expected. Sigh pie. There were other people who brought their dogs so it was nice seeing doggos. I think we came on a high tide day, so it felt like there wasn't a lot of room for our fur babies to run around. Maybe we'll come back to check it out again during low tide... also, there are A LOT of small flies all over the sand, kelp, etc... like they were swarming everywhere lol. Can't really say anything else until I go back during low tide haha. Cute doggos and nice people on the beach though!! read more

This is a great place for Santa Cruz residents and visitors to exercise their dogs off leash. The off leash is a restricted time from sunrise to 10am, then from 4pm to sunset. The main entrance to the beach is located near Almar Avenue where you will take the stairs down to the beach. This off leash dog park is only about 1/2 a mile long, but it is adequate to get all that energy off from your dog and get a good run. Maybe and hopefully, you will get a good workout too! I did find an abundance of seaweed resting on the sand so for some, this may be a deal breaker. My dogs don't mind as they leave it alone. I"m lucky that my dogs love water so they are usually running on the beach or playing with new dogs they meet. Parking is quite limited I think they have about 10 parking spaces. However, there are plenty of residential parking nearby about 2 blocks away, not too far. All in all, this is a great beach to run your dogs. Until then, be kind to one another and Cheers! ~ :p read more

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This is one of the more expansive west cliff area beach the -one that is for people as well as dogs. Parking can be an issue in peak beach season. There are two small ish lots right close by which are guaranteed to be filled up on any random summer day. Not least as in this time of coronavirus every other spot is blocked off. Also depending on what the status of the shelter at home/quarantine thing it may or may not be open. It was open when I went though, and there is hope that it will remain so. I never quite know how to describe a beach. I mean, it's got sand, the ocean comes right up to it, and because it's santa cruz there will be dogs. Views are decent enough-it's not the best beach for lounging around all day on, and there are better sunset spots around. The surf .....isn't. Very mild wave action, so no surfers to watch here. Once a year the kelp dies off which then piles up all over this place. It's a slightly better spot to see whales then most beaches in santa cruz-upon occasion they'll come into the cove to feed. All in all it's a very accessible beach to walk up and down on. Perfect to include on any santa cruz adventuring you may be considering, if for no other reason that it'll leave plenty of time to enjoy some other awesome stuff. read more

The only reason I deduct 1 star ---- they should just make it officially " off leash " . Off -leash dog meets on -leash dog is BAD . Dogs have to meet on the same terms . Most every one chances the citation and goes off leash . But then some people get pissy because " everyone's doing it wrong". At this time if year( October ) I found it clean -/- (everyone's on poop patrol) ,And no flies either ! Lucky to be HERE now ! Enjoying the 70*weather , with my doggie on the beach ! read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Can you find the tiny dog ? - Beaches Near Me

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Great off-leash doggy beach. I came here because natural bridges didn't allow dogs. I prefer the smaller enclosed area as well! Maybe I came during a good time or maybe it was due to me wearing a mask but I didn't smell anything. Lots of happy dogs playing in the water and rocky areas to explore. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Beaches Near Me

DOG BEACH!!!!! This is my happy place. Best part about this as an off leash dog beach is.... It is 99% "protected" with a cliff so your dog can run loose like crazy without getting lost aside from the tall staircase which is NOT gated. So, keep your eye on the stairs and and you really can enjoy yourself without worrying too much. Here is my crazy one year old "cheetah" going crazy. BRING WATER (extra if you can, people forget and the dogs get SO thirsty running around!) BRING POOP BAGS read more

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A great doggie friendly beach with off leash hours (sunrise to 10am and 4 pm to sunset). After those hours, dogs are welcome but mush be on a leash. I found this beach perfect for off leash time since there is a pretty long set of stairs to get to road, so we were not worried about our dog running away and getting under the car. Summer weather was also quiet perfect, a lot of people swimming and chilling on the beach. A lot of seaweed though. I heard it gets crowded during the day, but we arrived around 5pm, and there were only a few families left... but about a dozen of dog owners letting their dogs swim and run around. read more

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Parking is a hassle but you knew that already but once you get there...it is heaven. Beautiful beautiful beach with great views!

Ok, first and only time here and I don't like the fact that I'm giving it three stars and hopefully that'll change if/when I visit again BUT whew, came here specifically because it was dog friendly, with off leash hours because the pups just love to go crazy at the beach. First impression, from street parking area, ok, yay...walking down the stairs and whew the smell. Personally, I'm not too bothered by smells like this and so I was ok but the kiddo barfed because it smelled so bad, crazy. So there's that. Besides the smell, the beach itself, is quite nice, no complaints there. But the crowd I was unsure about and I hate saying this but there was a woman laying out and I watched a man walk down the cliff side right in her direction and sit awkwardly close to her. Red flags, for sure. The whole beach was pretty open. And he propped up right next to her, he left and came back and sat next to her again (within 30ish feet I'd say) all without her having idea, it was weird. I felt so creeped out by this I was going to say something but then he left. He wasn't necessarily dressed for the beach nor did he have a dog. Meh. Just be aware, that's all I'll say. read more

Favorite spot to bring my dog in Santa Cruz. Love to take my doggy here during the on-leash and off leash hours. She loves to get off her leash and splash in the ocean. During those times, I'm still a responsible owner and keep an eye on my dog. If I see any sign of aggression from other dogs I'm quick to leash up and move on. So be wary of other larger more aggressive dogs, that seem to belong to people who are not locals. I also enjoy going during the "on-leash" times, even though there are plenty of people who don't respect that law, again likely not locals, but it is still an awesome place to bring your dog. Just keep an eye on your dog and other people's dogs in case they aren't respecting the on-leash hours. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Star hanging at Mitchell's Cove Beach. - Beaches Near Me

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This was the closest beach to where I grew up so I went here a lot as a little kid. It is a pretty rad beach with tons of rotting seaweed and dogs running around. No tourists either, which is nice. *Update: I just realized all the other reviewers came here as tourists, %$#@, now I feel like an @#$&)(!. read more

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Awesome! I don't know why I waited so long to take my dog and be off-leash. Okay, so I found out into it that this is no longer a City of Santa Cruz beach and is a state park now so the rules have changed (no more off-leash officially allowed)....but, people still respect the strict rules of dogs off-leash before 10 am....so we did it. HAD A BLAST. Dogs were awesome, people were more than friendly and responsible, and the sheer cliffs are perfect for keeping the dogs in. I just wish there were ONE single gate at the bottom of the stairs....but, since the rules have changed I guess this is what we get. NO COMPLAINTS. read more

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We went here with our dog because it said you can be off leash. I'm not sure it if it's because we went in winter but it was filled with seaweed and you had to walk over piles of it to get to wear your dog could run. Once we got to the side without seaweed it was really nice s low key with less than 10 dogs there. I like that dogs can run free and it has a cove on both sides I just wish it was better maintained. I would try it again in the summer and see if it's better. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Beaches Near Me

California dreaming doggie style! We had so much fun at this beach, meeting new friends and swimming in the waves! read more

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I can't believe I never visited this popular dog beach before! Mitchell's Cove is a nice beach that has plenty of open space for dogs to roam around. I love how there is less traffic on this beach since it is smaller. Parking here is simple and easy. If parking spaces fill up, street parking near the neighborhood is also another option. Mitchell's Cove is definitely a nice change from Natural Bridges beach. I'd visit here again! read more

Wanted to go here bc it said dog friendly and the pics showed a good place for kids and dogs to have a beach day. Will never go here again. Stairs were good going down, but once we got to the first landing, it look like someone had a bad case of diarrhea and did their business there. Someone attempted to clean it bc there was a towel under it. Should of been a red flag for us to turn around. The sand is black and covered with kelp, seaweed and FLIES. COVERED with flies. The tide was up close too and it felt like no where to sit down. We trekked back up the stairs and past that horrible landing, and drove a minute down the rode to Lighthouse Field Beach. Oh man...that beach is paradise for dogs and family. read more

Only been here once but it was gross. Lots of seaweed with flies all over the place and super stinky. We went to let our dog run at 4 pm on a Sunday afternoon and it was very busy. read more

Santa Cruz is not as dog-friendly as it may seem (*tons* of people with their pets all over the city) but Mitchell's Cove seems to be one of the few off-leash beaches where pups are permitted to run free. (However, the official rules read "sunrise to 10am and 4pm to sunset.) Nonetheless, when we visited (between the "official" hours) there was a nice group of guardians and pets frolicking about. This is a fairly small area between Lighthouse Field State Beach and Natural Bridges. Parking, despite the annual Cold Water Surf Classic taking place at Lighthouse Field, was surprisingly easy. read more

OMG--there's seaweed on the beach. And flies. And fish in the water. And you know what fish do in that water? "You can't just let nature run wild." --former Alaska governor Walter Hickel read more

I wanted to take my puppy to the beach for the first time and decided to go here. Had to park in the residential area and took a 3 minute walk to the beach. I had to take a flight of stairs down to the beach because there's a cliff and that's the only way to go there. As soon as I stepped onto the beach, it was foul-smelling which was very distracting. Took the leash off my puppy and he started playing with a dog. While walking around, I saw insects and bugs just roaming around which was disgusting. I finally took my puppy and left the area just because I thought it was unsanitary. read more

Mitchell's Cove is a Locals' beach! and we like it that way!!! yes there is kelp on the beach at times, as well as flies especially when the kelp is washed up on the sand and it can smell bad when there is too much rotting kelp! you can read about the gas that comes from the rotting kelp elsewhere....And yes you can have dogs off leash at certain times of the day. Most people are good about picking up their dog's poop. But not everyone! There is no poop fairy!!! If you have a dog be sure to bring bags to pick up your dog's poop and watch where your dog is going. it is disgusting when people don't pick up after their dog. Also don't forget to grab that poop bag with you when you leave!....As I said, it is a local's beach and most locals are good with the dog rules...but tourists??? Don't come if you can't follow the rules. I love my beach and want to keep it clean, safe and beautiful. read more

If your looking for a beach for your 4 legged friend to play with others this is the one! 2 stories of stairs down so not for the disabled. Lots of seaweed, I wouldn't camp out here with kids all day great for an hour of running off your pets energy. read more

The fly population is at least 27.8 million flies per square foot. It really smells and the stench is so strong you will go away smelling like this awful beach. I'm giving it three stars because I assume some people like to smell like dead seaweed and I know the dog loved to eat all the flies. read more

The best place for dogs who love the beach. The beach is a closed area by the bluffs do dogs can't run away and loos their way back. The people and dogs here are usually very friendly and kind to each other. There's plants of space even on a very crowded day. My dog just loves it here. read more

It's so hard to come here during January to February. Even on a sunny day, the tides could be so high it's hard to go down to the sand to bring your pup. I came here yesterday and it was the first time out of 7 times I came that the tide was low enough to go to the sand part of this beach. There are a lot of dogs. Actually one dog peed on my boyfriend. Be aware of owners who aren't watching their dogs. There's a lot of poop that weren't cleaned up when I went, but a lot of dogs are running around playing! My little pup was scared of larger dogs however; they're all very friendly and my pup was able to run around and play without any dog being aggressive towards him! read more

I found this place on a whim and for a dog beach it isn't bad. I would much rather go to Fort Funston but this beach is closer to San Jose. I dont like the rotting seaweed and other ocean stuff (for lack of a better word) because it's kinda gross and comes with a ton of flies. But the dogs don't seem bothered by it and neither do the people. There is a stairway which gives easy access to the beach. The beach itself is rather small, but the cliffs make sure the dogs don't wander off too far. Most dogs are great, and those who aren't USUALLY have an owner not too far keeping an eye on them. Parking isn't hard to find, and the drive to the beach is ok. Just be warned if you go on a weekend 17S will be packed. I would prefer to go to this beach during a weekday so I would have more space for myself. A lot of people without dogs show up and have kids, so just be warned strangers just may pop up and pet your dog without permission, but so far that's only happened once to me. People are pretty friendly though. It's worth a check out if you find yourself bored one day and want to take your dog to the beach :] read more

I'm sorry- There's way too many stupid people on this board. Complaining about dogs, at the only off leash dog beach is beyond ridiculous. Let me try to help- If you don't like dogs, and what comes with them, go to another beach. read more

Positives: Nice scenery Negatives: stinky dead sea lion carcasses & lots of flys Comment: there were a lot of dogs who were all basically off leashed all the way through. read more

Pros: The only off-leash dog beach around Nice folks and friendly dogs Cons: The stench of the seaweed piles Opportunities to fall in seaweed piles Goes by two names- ITS and Mitchell's. Has it's own parking spots off Cliff drive. Has a long staircase leading to the beach with no gate. Dogs always seem to stop before they get too far up the stairs and other owners coax dogs down. read more

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Good beach, on the smaller side. More secluded, great for dogs and couples or older individuals. Around noon it's usually few empty, later in the afternoon after 3 it tends to get more crowded but it's great to take ur dogs and friends and your drinks to a nice cozy spot with reasonably privacy. No trashcans down at the beach thougj, only up the stairs at the top. read more

Mitchell's Cove Beach - Beaches Near Me

Pros: Dogs almost-off-leash beach Stairs are going down right to the beach Spectacular view Rocks and big stones to put a mat on it and enjoy Cons: People bring pots right to the beach. Santa Cruz, bebe. Very small area. When it's crowded, no chances your dogs have space to run and have fun. Very bad smell of the dead seaweeds. A tons of flies buzzing around your nose. All fermented together and all this picture looks pretty disgusting. read more