Half Moon bay is the perfect weekend warrior destination, especially if you’re planning dog-friendly travel. There are many outdoor spaces where your furry babies are allowed to accompany you. Also there’s a good selection of eating establishments that are willing to accommodate dogs.

I grew up in Half Moon Bay and I’ve brought my Black Labrador Holly with me all over the city. One important thing to mention about the coast, it can be very chilly any time of the year. When you’re bringing your dog along, you’ll likely be spending a lot of time outdoors. So make sure you’re dressed properly with warm layers.

The recommended spots in this guide are just a quick drive from San Francisco or San Jose area, about an hour away from either city. You can opt for a day trip or an over-night stay, I’ve got a list of hotels that are pet-friendly.

All the Best Places to Eat & Play with your Dog

The ideal dog-friendly itinerary in Half Moon Bay usually includes a delicious meal and some quality outdoor time. See my top recommendations below.

Half Moon Bay Dog-Friendly Restaurants

San Benito House Deli

This is every local’s favorite sandwich shop and it has a large outdoor seating area when you can sit with your dog. Located right on Main St downtown.

Sam’s Chowder House

Voted the best seafood in the Bay Area, they have a pet-friendly outdoor patio with ocean views.

Sacrilege Brewery + Kitchen

Beer connoisseurs will love their wide selection of brews on tap. Dogs allowed outside next to the fire pits.

Miramar Beach Restaurant

Beachfront seafood restaurant that allows dogs on their patio.

Cameron’s English Pub & Restaurant

Dogs are super welcome, they’ve got a designated outdoor Doggie Dining Patio. They serve traditional English pub food, along with American classics like burgers and pizza.

The Barn Burger

This is my favorite burger spot in Half Moon Bay, both for the food and the ambiance. They are proud to be a dog-friendly restaurant, you can even order ground beef patties for fido. Water bowls for dogs are also provided on the outdoor patio.

Half Moon Bay Coffee Company

I’ve had breakfast many times here with my dog Holly out on the patio. This coffee shop is conveniently located in Downtown Half Moon Bay and you can walk around after coffee and see all the boutique shops.

Moonside Bakery & Cafe

Located in a prime spot on Main St, they have a wide variety of freshly baked goods. There’s outdoor patio seating in the front.

Cafe Society

This popular Main Street cafe has limited outdoor seating. If there’s an available table outside, grab it quick!

Granola Coffee House

This is a new coffee spot that opened up a few years ago in Half Moon Bay. It’s popular with millennials for its hipster vibes and trendy airstream outdoor patio. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.

The Best Beaches to Bring Your Dog in Half Moon Bay

Poplar Beach

This is the beach closest to my parent’s house and I used to walk Holly here often. Dogs allowed on leash.

Surfer’s Beach

This beach is very popular during peak summer season and it can be tough to find parking. It’s right next to Sam’s Chowder house which is also a popular dog-friendly spot. It’s also very close to the highway so I suggest keeping your dog on a leash.

Half Moon Bay State Beach / Venice Beach

At the end of Kelly Ave there’s probably the most frequented beach in Half Moon Bay. There’s a large parking lot with public bathrooms and BBQs. Dogs allowed on leash.

Redondo Beach

A more private beach accessible by a country road off Highway 1. Dogs welcome on leash.

Miramar Beach

This is the only beach I know of in the Half Moon Bay area that allows dogs off leash. You can find it at Medio Ave and Mirada Rd.

Bean Hollow State Beach

Bean Hollow is a much less frequented beach because it’s a 25 minute drive outside Half Moon Bay to Pescadero. See photos from our family beach trip to Bean Hollow Beach.

Esplanade Dog Beach in Pacifica

This is one of the few off-leash dog beaches on the coast. Pacifica is the next beach town north of Half Moon Bay going towards San Francisco. This is a great beach for dogs, but it’s not suitable for picnics or family gatherings. There’s a strong undertow, eroding cliffs and limited sandy beach.

Fort Funston Doggie Beach

The most famous off-leash dog beach in the Bay Area is definitely Fort Funston. I took Holly once and there are literally hundreds of dogs running around freely on the beach. The off-leash area is HUGE, goes forever!

Best Dog-Friendly Walking Trails & Hiking in Half Moon Bay

The Coastal Trail

This popular pedestrian trail runs for 11 miles along the coastline. Most of the trail is paved and easy to walk, and there are scenic ocean and wild fields views. The trail ends at Pillar Point Harbor which is a fun area to walk and grab seafood.

Montara Mountain

A more rigorous hike up a mountain with rewarding skyline views at the top. There’s a lot of wildlife so be sure to keep your dog on a leash.

Devil’s Slide

A scenic trail along the cliffs between Half Moon Bay and Pacifica. See photos from our visit to Devil’s Slide Trail here.

Half Moon Bay Wavecrest Dog Park

This dog park is completely enclosed and well maintained with wood chips. It’s located in a quiet country area down the road from Cameron’s English Pub (which is a very dog friendly restaurant). The dog park is located at 400 Wavecrest Rd.

More Fun Things To Do with Your Dog in Half Moon Bay

Go Kayaking with Your Dog

Yep, you read that correctly! Half Moon Bay Kayak is all about adventuring with your furry pups. Not only do they allow your dog to ride along in your kayak, they provide canine life jackets for all size dogs.

Half Moon Bay Dog-Friendly Hotels

Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay - When I was in college I worked at the Ritz in the recreation department. We used to go above and beyond for the furry hotel guests with special pet programs.

Coastside Inn - Dog-friendly hotel centrally located in Half Moon Bay. Walking distance to the state beach on Kelly Ave.

Best Western Plus Cameron's Inn - This hotel is a short 4-minute drive to Redondo Beach, Cameron’s dog-friendly restaurant and dog park.

Harbor View Inn - This dog-friendly hotel is walking distance to the Princeton Harbor which has restaurants and bay views.