By Visit Ventura

Posted: Tuesday, Jun 14th, 2022

Updated: Friday, Aug 2nd, 2024

What Can I Do With My Dog in Ventura?

What can you do with your dog(s) in Ventura? Plenty. And we’ve got the answers to your Ventura dog questions. What beaches can I walk my dog on? Can I walk with my dog on the Ventura Pier? Why wouldn’t everyone have a dog?

Well, some questions don’t have an answer.

But it’s a hard and fast truth that your dog deserves a Ventura vacation as much as you do.

The more time you and your dog spend together, the more you can learn from them. Dogs don’t judge. Dogs love unconditionally. Dogs live in the moment. Dogs know what matters and what is right.

Where to Play With Your Dog

But dogs also love to play (and that’s right). And when it comes to play, Ventura has reams of dog-friendly options. Play at our Ventura parks. The City has two off-leash dog parks at Camino Real Park and Arroyo Verde Park (dogs are allowed off-leash from 6 am to 9 am, Tuesday through Sunday). At Camino Real Park your dog can run off-leash, and visit with new dog friends, any time they want in the large fenced-in area at the far end of the park. Walk (leashed) on the beach. Stroll the Ventura Pier (leashed) and watch the sunset. Walk through Ventura’s spectacular Botanical Gardens, where leashed dogs are welcome on Wednesdays, Fridays, and monthly free days (check the Garden website for those free days).

Got good balance and a water loving dog? You and your dog can head out on the waters of Ventura Harbor; just rent a pedal boat, kayak, or stand up paddle board from Ventura Boat Rentals. Don’t feel like doing all the work while your dog lolls about? Rent an electric boat so you can both loll.

Ventura’s Surfer’s Point, Marina Park, Harbor Cove beach, Arroyo Verde Park, and Harmon Canyon, also all welcome dogs — though please check their websites for specifics (on leash/off leash; where dogs are/aren’t allowed).

And thank you for cleaning up after your loved one. And if you overnight in Ventura with your dog, Visit Ventura will provide you the goods you need – and then some – to perform that clean-up (see below).

Where to Eat With Your Dog

Many restaurants downtown and at Ventura Harbor Village welcome collared companions. So do our breweries and wineries. You’ll find a handy list of all of Ventura’s dog-loving establishments – and map – here. Not only do many of Ventura’s restaurants welcome dogs, but some have a menu for them. Don’t expect them to share. Peirano’s is cooking up something special too (see below).

Added plus, there are so many dog-loving stores in downtown Ventura that put out bowls and offer treats that dogs can pretty much eat and drink their way up and down our easily walkable and closed to traffic Main Street.

Where to Shop For Your Dog

Ventura has lots of fun shops that have, well, fun gifts for your dog. From Dogtown, to Plum Gift Boutique, to The Wharf, to B on Main, to Ventura Pet Barn; explore them all for cute and affordable doggie gifts. Toys, dog-themed decor, doggie clothing, or maybe even, in the case of Ventura Pet Barn, a melt-your-heart cute dog. And, at the Ventura Visitor Center gift shop, along with dog gifts, we welcome each and every dog with open arms — and a jar chock full of dog treats.

Dogtown: where to shop with your dog in Ventura

Where to Sleep With Your Dog

A host of Ventura hotels – for all budgets – allow dogs. The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, the Ventura Beach Marriott, The Pierpont Inn, Four Points by Sheraton, Motel 6 Ventura South, Motel 6 Downtown, Motel 6 Ventura Beach, Shores Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor, Bayshore Inn Motel, La Quinta Inn Ventura, and the Viking Motel all welcome dogs. Want more information? Check out an extensive list here.

Free Dog Swag for your Dog (and you) When You Stay Overnight in Ventura

And when you do overnight with your dog in Ventura, be sure to pick up a free Ventura Pooch Pouch; a fun, well, doggie bag containing (among other free treasures) a stylish and colorful doggie bandana, a tasty icing-covered dog biscuit, a business bag, and coupons for a free puppy ice cream at Coastal Cone and a free and tasty doggie meal at Peirano’s (a choice of scrambled eggs or unseasoned chicken).

It’s always fun to see pups walking around town with their Ventura-branded bandana. Don’t forget to share photos of your dogs on social media and tag Visit Ventura for a chance to be featured on our channels!

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