With temperatures rocketing into the triple digits in Los Angeles, it’s a perfect time to take your dog to Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach.
Not all dogs like the water, but every dog can enjoy the cooling breezes.
This three-acre area between Roycroft and Argonne avenues is the only off-leash, public dog beach you’ll find on Los Angeles County’s 70-mile coastline.
The beach at 4800 E. Ocean Blvd., is marked off by orange cones. Dog must stay on leash until they are inside the coned area. All of the usual dog park ru
les apply: pick up after your pooch, don’t bring food, have your dog’s vaccinations up to day, etc.
In general, two kinds of dogs can be found at Rosie’s Beach: water-loving, surf-gamboling dogs like spaniels, labradors and retrievers, and sand-roving, dry land-loving dogs. But all dogs have fun with new playmates, new scents and cooler temperatures.
Here’s a few tips that will make your visit to Rosie’s more comfortable:
- Bring lots of water for your dog. Unlike dog parks, there aren’t dog bowls on the beach. Dogs that romp in the surf are likely to swallow a lot of salt water and get thirsty.
- The breeze cools things down, but the sun still shines. Be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Monitor how much time your dog is spending in the bright sun with all the reflected light from water and sand.
- Bring lots of quarters for the parking meters. On-street free parking is as rare as a dodo bird in this area. But there’s a public lot near the swimming pool building.
- Plan ahead for the trip home. Depending on your dog, he’ll be salty, soggy and sandy. A towel to rub him down with and protective coverings for your car seats is in order.
There are other dog beaches around. For example, Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach and Point Magu State Park in Malibu allow dogs on leashes. Santa Barabara, Orange and San Diego counties have off-leash dog beaches as well.
