Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach, California, is located between Seapoint St. to the north and 21st St. to the south, on the west side of the Pacific Coast Highway, some 37 miles south of Los Angeles.
In the 70s the beaches of Huntington Beach were known for the surf, so much so that the Beach Boys single these beaches out in their song, Surfin' USA. Now it is the Dog Beach that has gained particular attention since it opened more than a decade ago.
This is a 1.25 mile beach where people are encouraged to come and enjoy the sand and surf with their canine friends. More than 200,000 dogs have visited this beach every year since it opened to man's best friend over ten years ago. The beach is maintained by the Huntington Dog Beach non-profit organization and is run by its staff and volunteers.
This is a pioneer beach, the first of its kind in California that is seeking to provide beach freedom to dogs and their owners.
In order to join dog beach as a member in exchange for a souvenir, a small annual donation is required, which helps with the operation and maintenance of the beach. Lack of membership however does not prohibit uses of the facility and admission to the beach is free.
60 bag dispensers are located at distinct points along the beach, distributing over 1 million bags annually to owners in order to clean up after their pets.
Dog Beach gifts and souvenirs such as towels, caps, shirts and tote bags are sold as part of the effort to maintain the beach. These goods are available at the beach and over the internet. Donations are also sought out in order to help with the ongoing costs of maintenance.
Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach, California, is open daily between 5 AM and 10 PM. There is metered street parking. An annual parking permit can be obtained as well.
Current city ordinances require that dogs remain leashed, however in practice only owners of potentially dangerous animals have been ticketed or had their dogs removed from the beach in the ten years of its existence as Dog Beach.
Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste properly.
Beach staff persons are stationed at the entrances to the beach and along the shore and maintain coordination with lifeguards and local law enforcement agencies. There are 4 beach clean up personnel in the summer and 2 that continue working throughout the rest of the year.
Several drinking fountains for dogs are installed on the beach. Groups of dog owners are frequently holding regular outings with their pets on this beach.
Many of the restaurants and several hotels in this city, where Huntington Dog Beach, Huntington Beach, California is located, are dog friendly, catering to beach going pets and their masters offering pet menus and culinary options.
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