Salt Creek Beach California
Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, California is easily one of the most beautiful Ocean Parks in Southern California! (We also love the Treasure Island Park at the Montage in Laguna Beach). Mom started walking at Salt Creek Beach over 20 years ago! Sable, Scooby and now Ella and Luna have all loved their adventures at this beautiful ocean view park since! We want to share our BEST Salt Creek Beach Park: Dog-Friendly Tips so you can enjoy too!
Scooby Smith and the Salt Creek Beach Park View!
Is Salt Creek Beach Dog Friendly?
The actual “Beach” (sand) and ocean at Salt Creek Beach are NOT Dog Friendly but Salt Creek Beach Park is! Dogs on a 6ft leash are allowed pretty much everywhere except the sand and ocean! The park is a beautiful green hill full of picnic tables, free standing bbq’s and water fountains. Some sections of the park go all the way to the sand which give you the best of both worlds! The grassy spots are WAY cooler for all the dog and people toes too! Just claim a picnic table or put your beach blanket down and you’re set for a fun day! Don’t forget the pop up pup tent for your dogs and sensitive people!
What’s the Best Time for Dog Walks?
Salt Creek Beach Park a gorgeous place for an early morning or pre-sunset dog walk next to the Pacific Ocean! Mid Day in the summer in Orange County CA can be full sun, hot and occasionally humid. If you prefer serene and peaceful surroundings, plan your dog friendly time for the early morning and leave around noon. It’s typically you, the surfers and a few locals! An hour before sunset until an hour after sunset also allows you to miss the worst mid day heat! Walking your dog around the sunset hours is also a little less crowded and the view is beautiful! The entire loop path around Salt Creek Beach Park is approximately 3 miles of ocean air and sounds!
Salt Creek Beach Trail
The trails in the park a Salt Creek Beach are actually part of 7.6 mile Official Salt Creek Beach Trail. During the summer the coyote and rattlesnake populations are at their highest so, we say skip the big trail! The BEST part of Salt Creek Trail is next to the ocean anyway! The furSmiths have a route which takes you through all of Salt Creek Beach Park so you experience everything AND get a great dog walk in! Here’s our Salt Creek Beach Park: Dog Friendly Tips for the BEST Dog Walk!
theScoobylife Favorite Salt Creek Trail Dog Friendly Route
- Park at Salt Creek Beach Parking Lot
- Walk through the tunnel to the entrance of Salt Creek Beach Park
- Turn right at the first sidewalk and follow it to the bottom of the grassy area. (You can also walk through the grass and zig zag on the sidewalks for some extra steps and fun)!
- Once you’re on the bigger sidewalk path (just past the picnic tables and barbecues), turn right on the sidewalk and head away from The Ritz Carlton.
- Turn left on the first dirt path. This downhill dirt path takes you towards the sand and ocean to another sidewalk next to the sand!
- At the bottom of the dirt path make a right on the sandy / gravel path and head north towards the restrooms.
- Walk past the restrooms and you have arrived at the furSmith’s FAVORITE “secluded” green park! This area is great for picnics and relaxing! Fun Fact: This is exactly where Scooby’s Photo was taken for the Scoobylife Welcome Page!
- When you’re ready for the next trek, backtrack onto the sandy path on the other side of the restrooms
- Walk next to the beach towards the Southern portion of the park. You’ll pass Zack’s (no relation – haha) Concession Stand (above on your left).
- Veer right on the path and keep walking next to the sand.
- A life guard tower will be on your right which sits on a mini natural “pier” that jets out to the ocean! This is a great place for surf, ocean and beach photos!
- After you’ve taken some time enjoy the view, fresh air and ocean sounds, keep walking south the gravel path.
- You will dead end at another grassy area with more restrooms and picnic tables for more relaxing! (Dogs are not allowed on the beach on the other side of the grassy section)
Choosing Your Route Back – Cardio or Light Cardio?
- When you’re read for the head back, take the gravel path back towards Zack’s Concession Stand.
- If you want an easy walk back to the parking lot just zig zag on the sidewalks up the hill.
- If you want to get some cardio in, take the paved hill back to the parking lot! Extra workout tip: If you want some extra cardio (and more magnificent views) take the steep hill on your right up to The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. You are also allowed to meander with your on-leash dog in the grassy section through their garden! (If you are super lucky you will stumble upon of of many romantic, ocean view Weddings in The Ritz Carlton Garden)!
Salt Creek Beach Picnic Area
Basically all of Salt Creek Beach Park is a giant picnic area! Put down a blanket or arrive early to claim your picnic table or bbq and you’re all set! Dana Point has many great restaurants but Mom says the best way to plan your picnic is at Gelson’s Market.
We recommend that you stop by Gelson’s (on Pacific Coast Highway) before you park at Salt Creek Beach. Gelson’s has a great selection of freshly prepared salads and deli food. You can also pick up all of your favorite ingredients for sandwiches and snacks! You can purchase a temperature controlled bag from Gelson’s or better yet, buy a cooler at CVS which is next door!
Zack’s Concession stand at Salt Creek Beach is a nice option for additional food and drinks if they are open if you need!
Salt Creek Beach Park: Dog Friendly Tips: Wild’s Pet Food is located in the Gelson’s Parking lot! Be sure to pick up some delicious Dog Treats for your picnic!
the Scoobylife Sunsets Tips for Salt Creek Beach Park
Salt Creek Beach is beautiful at Sunset and for Sunset Photos! We recommend that you arrive an hour prior to Sunset and get your dog friendly walk in. Just before sunset and up to an hour after sunset is when all the magic happens! It’s the BEST show of the day! If you’re lucky you’ll see some of he more colorful Sunset photos.
Weather Tip: If you see a few clouds in the sky about an hour before sunset it usually means an amazing, colorful sunset is ahead! Be sure to check the Dana Point Weather Report as well as the Sunset Times on Willy Weather so you don’t miss the show!
Weather Forecast for Dana Point, CA
Weather in Dana Point fluctuates year round! Overcast in the morning then hot and sunny or the other way around! Be sure to take blankets, umbrellas or pup tents to have a sun and wind break as needed!
Be sure to check out The Salt Creek Beach Cam by Surfersview.com Beach Cam for Awesome views and the latest weather and surf report!
Parking at Salt Creek Beach
There’s typically plenty of parking in the pay by meter parking lot at Salt Creek Beach Park. If your Pup likes Dog Parks, walk through the tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway (away from the ocean) and there’s a gated Dog Run / Dog Park on the other side of the rose garden! This is the perfect place for your Pup to get a little fetch and run game before heading to Salt Creek Beach Park!