Dog-Friendly Huntington Beach Travel Guide

Hello, dog people! I am so excited to get this dog-friendly Huntington Beach travel guide out to y’all, as HB is one of my favorite places in the world. The pups had an absolute blast and we can’t wait to take them back. So, without further ado:

Dog-Friendly Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach is known for its chill vibe, stunning beaches (hello, dog beach!) and bustling Main St. What a lot of people may not know is that it’s also one of the top dog-friendly destinations in the United States! Basically every bar or restaurant with a patio welcomes pups, and most breweries and bars will even allow them inside! It’s almost impossible to take a step outside without seeing the hint of a wagging tail. So, of course, we had to make a dog-friendly Huntington Beach guide.

Best Dog-Friendly Hotels

Like we’ve said in the past, please reach out to any hotel before booking to see if they can accommodate you and your pup outside of their standard pet policy. Kindness goes a long way. Below are the best dog-friendly Huntington Beach hotels:

• Kimpton Shorebreak Resort – one word: wow. I literally cannot say enough great things about this hotel.
  • It’s perfectly located one block from Main St. and literally across the road from the beach and pier. In fact, our room overlooked the pier, making it a stunning place to watch the sunsets and sunrises.
  • They have an amazing on-site restaurant called Pacific Hideaway (more on that below).
  • Our pups were spoiled with dog beds, bandanas and treats waiting for them in the room. The entire staff loves dogs and welcomed them (and us) by name every time we walked by the lobby.
  • As a Kimpton Hotel, they allow all and any pets (as long as they fit through the door) at no additional charge. Seriously, do yourself a favor and book a stay at Shorebreak. Just do it.
• Paséa Hotel – another dog-friendly hotel with a pristine location for us beach bums. Pasea is located just on the other side of Pacific City (more on that below) and, again, across the street from the beach. Guests can opt to get the PAW-séa package which covers your pet fees, other pet amenities such as three hours of pet sitting, a doggie spa treatment, a welcome package and more! They even have an on-site paw park so the doggos can run around and socialize while you relax.
• Waterfront Beach Resort – with a great beach-front location and a good pet policy, we had to include the Waterfront Beach Resort on our guide. Dogs 75lbs and under are welcome to stay with a one-time fee per stay.

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars

• Baja Sharkeez – let me preface by saying you’ll hear me reference Main Street a lot. Lined with delicious restaurants and packed bars, and ending at the ocean, it’s an easy spot to spend your entire day. Well, Baja Sharkeez is a Main Street weekend favorite of ours. Dogs are allowed on the patio and front-area of the restaurant. Humans, do yourself a favor and come on the weekend for one of the best bloody mary’s you’ve ever had. You’re welcome.
• Simmzy’s – a gastropub who also serves their own beer, this spot includes an amazing dog-friendly patio with beach views. Located at Pacific City (see below), it’s an easy choice while shopping or simply walking along the beach.
• Fred’s – another spot on Main Street, this Mexican restaurant is on the corner right at the beach, making it a popular spot to watch the sunset. Their rooftop patio is dog-friendly, so grab the pups and a margarita and enjoy a warm night as the sun dances in front of you.
• Sandy’s Beach Shack – the closest you’ll get to dining on the beach is Sandy’s, an amazing restaurant located on the beach just to the left of the pier. Pups are welcome on the patio and inside, and are always spoiled by the friendly staff. They even have a special dog menu for both small and large dogs.
• Sancho’s Tacos & 602 Coffee – while technically two separate spots, together they make an amazing pair. Sancho’s have some of the best tacos we’ve ever had (and we’re from Texas, y’all) and 602 has delicious coffee, acai bowls and other goodies. The patio is dog-friendly but can fill up quickly due to popularity. Did I mention they are also right across from the beach? Gotta soak in those ocean views while you can!
• 2nd Floor – another Main Street joint with an incredible rooftop view and cold drinks. 2nd Floor serves cocktails, beer and delicious food for the humans, plus a special doggy menu for our better-halves (sorry hubby). The patio is dog-friendly, so climb on up and enjoy the view.
• Pacific Hideaway – I know we touched base on this one in the hotels section, but I needed to point out that you do not need to be a guest to visit this amazing restaurant/bar. Just head up to the lobby and grab a seat for one of the best culinary experiences in town.
• Sit Stay Café – a pup-themed café serving up deliciously roasty coffee, an array of snacks and even all-natural dog treats for their four-legged customers! The patio is dog-friendly, so make sure to stop by for your morning fuel.
• Corner Bakery Café – loved by locals and tourists alike, Corner Bakery boasts an extensive menu of exquisite food options. They love having doggos on the patio, so bring them on in be sure to snap a picture by their famous wings.

Best Dog-Friendly Breweries

• Four Sons Brewing Co – this small-ish brewery has won over people nationwide due to their innovative brews and fun atmosphere. Don’t let the taproom size fool you, they frequently have over 15 of their own beers on tap and they all pack a punch. Good doggos are allowed inside the taproom, so wag on in.
• Riip Brewing Co – while technically on the outskirts of HB, I promise you’ll want to make a trip to Riip. This amazing brewery started as a homebrew system while selling and hand-delivering their beers from a trailer. I can’t make this stuff up, especially when you taste one of their 20 (!!) beers on tap. Both the taproom and patio are dog-friendly, and they are right across from the beach, so visiting is a no-brainer.
• Beachwood Brewing Co – just a few blocks away from Four Sons, Beachwood is another great spot for a great pint. The taproom is our type of aesthetic: colorful, blue, with lots of greenery and dog-friendly. Plus, their tap board is filled with a wide selection of their beers and adorably decorated with hand-painted items describing each of the beers.

Best Dog-Friendly Activities

• Huntington Dog Beach – when you hear people talking about “dog-friendly Huntington Beach” this is probably what will get mentioned most. This off-leash dog beach covers over a mile and a half of pure paradise for the pups. Whether they love swimming, rolling in the sand, playing with friends, or simply sunbathing, we highly recommend making a trip. If you’re staying near Main Street, it is only about a mile walk to the beach! The beach is not fenced, so please only bring your pups if they have good recall and behave well off-leash.
• Pacific City – an outdoor mall perfect for shopping (or drinking, we did both) and located just two blocks from Main Steet. Most of the stores welcome dogs inside, and most restaurants with patios are also dog-friendly. Plus, it’s right across from the beach, so expect a nice ocean breeze while you shop. There’s even a brewery inside the food court, and while they aren’t dog-friendly for obvious reasons, they are too good to not mention. So, if you’re reading this, head to The Dude’s Brewing and give them some love.
• Main Street – if you’ve made it this far, you should have a pretty great idea about what Main Street entails. But, for those of you skimming, it’s a three or four-block strip lined with stores, restaurants, bars and lots of fun. At the very end, you’ll find yourself right on the famous Huntington Beach and its pier. While the pier isn’t dog-friendly, it’s still worth a visit.
• Top Dog Barkery – okay, while not technically an “activity”, I could shop at this pet store for hours. Not only are they a bakery serving delicious, pup-approved treats, but they also have an array of treats, toys, leashes, accessories and even food in case you don’t want to travel with a 20lb bag of Fido’s food.
• Huntington Central Park – a stunning and large park perfect for a breezy afternoon walk. Dogs must be on-leash as they walk around the many pathways offered. If you get hungry, make a pit stop at Park Bench Café, pups are always welcome on the patio.

This was one of my absolute favorite guides to write because I know just how much Huntington Beach has to offer to humans and dogs alike. Wherever you live, I promise you a trip (or drive, which is what we did) to Surf City, USA is absolutely worth it.

Going on a trip with your pup and don’t know what to pack? We’ve got a complete packing list for you!

As always, thank you for supporting us and stay tuned for another SoCal guide coming soon!

Warm Wags,
GGW Momma