Rosie’s Dog Beach is the only legal off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County, occupying a 4.0-acre stretch of coastline at 5000 E Ocean Blvd in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach, California. Spanning the shoreline between Granada Avenue and Roycroft Avenue, this coastal park was established in 2001 through the advocacy of longtime resident Justin Rudd and his non-profit organization, Haute Dogs, who named the zone after his English bulldog, Rosie. Today, managed by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, the shoreline draws thousands of dog owners, walkers, and coastal visitors who come to watch canines sprint across flat sand and swim in the calm waters of San Pedro Bay.
What to Expect at Rosie’s Dog Beach
Unlike open-ocean beaches in neighboring Orange County where heavy shore break can knock smaller pets off their feet, the water off Long Beach is sheltered by the offshore federal breakwater. This engineering barrier keeps waves gentle and predictable, creating ideal shallow-water wading conditions for dogs of every size and swimming confidence level. The off-leash zone is clearly marked by boundary cones and municipal signage between the Granada Avenue boat launch ramp on the west and Roycroft Avenue on the east; outside these boundary markers and on the adjacent paved paths, dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
City regulations require each adult handler to bring only one dog into the off-leash zone, maintain voice control, carry a leash in hand, and immediately pick up pet waste using the complimentary plastic bag dispensers stationed along the perimeter. Running parallel to the sand is the paved Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath, which separates the beach from the Granada Beach parking lot and offers unobstructed views across the water toward the historic oil islands—Island White, Island Freeman, Island Grissom, and Island Chaffee—as well as the Queen Mary and the cranes of the Port of Long Beach to the west.
- 4-Acre Off-Leash Shoreline: Clearly delineated between Granada Avenue and Roycroft Avenue, giving dogs ample room to fetch balls on packed wet sand and dry upper beach areas without physical fencing.
- Breakwater-Protected Surf: The Long Beach federal breakwater dampens incoming Pacific swells, producing calm, knee-deep entry water suited for puppies, senior dogs, and first-time canine swimmers.
- Freshwater Rinse Showers & Dog Bowls: Outdoor shower stations near the Granada Beach parking lot and restroom building include low-level spigots for rinsing salt and sand off paws before loading back into vehicles.
- Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath Access: A wide, divided concrete promenade runs immediately behind the dog beach, separating cyclists from pedestrians and leashed dogs walking along the Belmont Shore waterfront.
- Kitesurfing & Harbor Views: Immediately west of the Granada Avenue boundary is Long Beach’s primary kitesurfing launch zone, providing steady coastal breezes and colorful sails across the bay every afternoon.
Rosie’s Dog Beach at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Belmont Shore (between Granada Ave and Roycroft Ave) |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission ($); metered parking in lot |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Granada Beach parking lot (5100 E Ocean Blvd); Long Beach Transit Routes 104, 121 & 131 |
| Official Website & Phone | longbeach.gov | +1 562-570-3100 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For the easiest parking and firmest, coolest sand, arrive between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM, or come after 4:30 PM on weekdays. On sunny Saturdays and Sundays, the adjoining Granada Beach municipal parking lot (entered at Ocean Boulevard and Granada Avenue) frequently fills by 10:30 AM; paid parking kiosks and the Passport Parking mobile app charge hourly rates ($2.00 per hour, or $15.00 daily max), while free residential street parking along Ocean Boulevard and the numbered side streets requires a five-to-ten-minute walk. Travelers arriving via public transit can take Long Beach Transit bus routes 104, 121, or 131 to Ocean Boulevard and Granada Avenue, though pets on city buses must be in enclosed carriers unless they are service animals.
Physical accessibility around the perimeter is strong: the Granada Beach parking lot features designated ADA spaces, accessible public restrooms, and a concrete access mat extending partially across the soft dry sand toward the firmer wet shoreline, alongside a completely flat, step-free concrete pedestrian path suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. After rinsing off at the beach showers, walk ten minutes north up Granada Avenue or Argon Avenue to 2nd Street, the commercial spine of Belmont Shore, where dog-friendly outdoor patios line the sidewalk for coffee, tacos, and casual lunches. Alternatively, walk ten minutes west along the waterfront path to the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier for panoramic coastal views, or head fifteen minutes east into Naples Island to stroll the waterfront walkways surrounding the Alamitos Bay canals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours at Rosie’s Dog Beach and when is the best time to go?
Rosie’s Dog Beach is open daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM year-round, except during occasional city-mandated closures following heavy winter rainstorms when urban runoff affects water quality. Early mornings between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM offer the lowest crowds, easiest parking, and cooler sand temperatures for sensitive paws.
Does it cost money to visit Rosie’s Dog Beach or park nearby?
Entry to Rosie’s Dog Beach is completely free for both visitors and their dogs. If you park in the adjacent Granada Beach beachside lot at 5000 E Ocean Blvd, metered parking costs $2.00 per hour (up to $15.00 per day), payable by credit card at the pay stations or through the Passport Parking app.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Rosie’s Dog Beach?
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at the beach, which allows plenty of time for off-leash running and swimming, rinsing sand off at the freshwater showers, and taking a leashed walk along the paved Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath. If you pair the trip with lunch on nearby 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, budget closer to 3 hours.
What are the official rules for dogs at Rosie’s Dog Beach?
The City of Long Beach enforces a one-dog-per-adult rule inside the off-leash zone between Granada and Roycroft Avenues, and aggressive dogs or puppies under four months old are prohibited. Dogs must wear collars with valid license and rabies vaccination tags, remain under voice control inside the marked cones, and stay on a physical leash when walking through the parking lot or along the pedestrian path.
When planning your Long Beach travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including Hilltop Park, Hyatt Regency Long Beach, The Westin Long Beach, and Saint & Second (0.7 km away).
