Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Esplanade beach is a very accessible suburban off-leash dog beach in Pacifica. This small stretch of sand is only exposed at mid-to-low tides, and the long, steep (but wide and smooth) path down from the street is a crowd deterrent. For those with dogs or who don't mind dogs, this is a nice, secluded bit of shore that feels much further from the city than it is. With fine views up and down the coast and interesting eroding cliffs, it is a pretty scenic place to spend a quiet hour with the raging surf. It is rarely crowded even though it is small, and the area to the left around the access path is often empty. There are a few benches set on the southern landings of the switchbacks, so the views and solitude can be enjoyed even by those who choose not to go all the way down to the beach.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Off-leash dog beach. Not crowded.

Cons

Steep path down to beach. Only accessible at low tide.

Features

Fishing
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Nearby Adventures

San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California

Nearby Lodging + Camping

San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, California
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Half Moon Bay State Park, California

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.