If there’s one thing I’ve learned from The Dog Whisperer’s Cesar Millan, it’s that dogs need lots of exercise. It’s not only beneficial for the dog’s physical health, but it also helps keep the dog from developing bad habits. Sometimes excessive barking, digging, chewing is a result of pent-up energy and can be solved with an extra dose of physical activity. I personally get bored going on the same walk every day or just chasing my pup around the backyard. Dog parks and beaches are a great way for dogs to get exercise in a new environment that’s fun for both dogs and humans. Here are a few highly recommended Southern California off-leash parks and beaches.

The Beaches
 
Huntington Dog Beach
http://www.dogbeach.org/

This beach is located on Pacific Coast Highway between 21st St. and Seapoint St. Huntington Beach, CA. This dog beach is 1-mile of sand and sea, open from 5 am to 10 pm every day of the year. The parking lots close at 10.00 pm.

You’ll also find a variety of events here like the upcoming Surf City Surf Dog event on October 11, 2009. Surfers and dog-lovers come together for a day of fun in the sun. There will be a surf dog competition, 2-mile doggie walk, owner-dog-look-alike contest, a costume contest. and many other interactive exhibits.

Long Beach Dog Beach

Located between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues at Belmont Shores in Long Beach, CA. Park hours are 6 am. to 8 pm every day. You can enter the Dog Zone between the two yellow flags on metal poles at the parking lot. From Ocean Blvd, enter the parking lot at the Belmont Olympic Pool, 1 Bennett Avenue for the beachfront metered parking lot. The Dog Zone encompasses about 3 acres.

This off-leash dog park started as temporary project in 2001. Nearby residents were skeptical, but the city allowed a special event where dogs were allowed to play unleashed. The Sunday special events continued through the summer of 2003. Finally, daily beach off-leash access began in August 2003. The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a permanent Dog Beach Zone in October of 2004.

Redondo Beach Dog Park
http://www.rbdogpark.com/

Located on the corner of Flagler Lane and 190th Street in the city of Redondo Beach at the northern end of Dominguez Park. It’s open from dawn until dusk, and closed Wednesday mornings until noon. The facility consists of a turfed and fenced three-acre dog run, including separate areas for large and small dogs. There are benches and drinking fountains for both dogs humans.

This dog beach also sponsors special events, and you won’t want to miss the Halloween Hoedown on October 18, 2009. This is an annual fundraising event with a Halloween costume contest and parade. You’ll find local vendors selling pet products and services, a photo booth, and food for humans! For more information, check out the official Redondo Beach Dog Park Blog: http://rbdogpark.wordpress.com/

The Parks

Hermon Dog Park
http://www.hermondogpark.com/index.htm

Located at Arroyo Seco Park (5568 Via Marisol at La Due Way, Los Angeles, CA) between Monterey Road and the Arroyo Seco Parkway. Open every day from dawn till dusk. This 1.3-acre park has water spigots and a separate area for small dogs.

Be sure to check out Yappy Hours, hosted by The Friends of Hermon Dog Park and held on the last Sunday of each month. The  Friends of Hermon Dog Park booth has treats for dogs and humans, as well as more information about what's going on at the park. They also host  Dog'toberfest on September 30, 2009 during the regular monthly Yappy Hour. They’ll have free grilled sausages, pretzels, root beer and more.

The Boneyard (Culver City Dog Park)
http://www.culvercitydogpark.org/main/001_home.cfm

Located at the corner of Duquesne & Jefferson in Culver City, CA. Open daily from dawn until dusk. This 1-acre park has a large, separate small dog area, along with benches, shade, and water fountains for dogs and people.

Runyon Canyon Off Leash Dog Area
http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/runyonCynDogPk.htm

There are two different entrances at 2000 N Fuller Avenue or Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Park hours run from 6 am to 10 pm. This 160-acre park has 90 acres of off-leash areas for dogs to play (although they’re not fenced in). The park has steep trails, but if you don’t feel like hiking, there’s a small picnic area just inside the main gate where dogs can play off-leash. There is also a water fountain for dogs.

 
For more info on off-leash dog beaches in Southern California, check out http://www.hautedogs.org/offleash.html

For more info on dog parks, check out http://www.dogparkusa.com/