Beaches in California are a precious, highly protected natural resource. The pleasure of visiting a beach with your dog can be preserved for posterity by following a few common sense guidelines.

Tips for Visiting California Beaches

• Make sure that your dog is wearing a current license, has all its required, up-to-date vaccinations and that you have a copy of a current rabies vacination certicate with you.
  
  
• Keep your dog on a leash until you get to a designated off-leash area (if available).
  
  
• Closely monitor your dog's activity to ensure that birds and other wildlife are not disturbed.
  
  
• Avoid tide pool areas. Touching, stepping on or "nosing" creatures in tide pools can seriously harm this important fragile ecosystem which can take years to recover.
  
  
• Though infrequent, rip tides do occur in some locations. Watch for warning flags, and be careful to avoid those areas.
  
  
• Bring your own poop bags and immediately clean up after your dog.
  
  
• Bring lots of fresh drinking water for you and your dog. Sun and fun both require lots of hydration.
  
  
• Don't forget plenty of towels to dry off your and your pooch!