Santa Cruz Dog Beach Lovers in Turmoil

"Its Beach" closed so try a new beach just up the path at "Mitchell's Cove Beach".

Santa Cruz recently has gone through some significant changes for the dog owners.  They had been leasing State land for 30 years and allowing off leash use at the Lighthouse Field and Its Beach during certain hours.  The lease came up on November 15, 2007 and the state of California now owns and operates the land.  The State immediately closed the beach and field to off leash dog use making a lot of dog owners very upset.  They currently are issuing tickets for any offending owner and dogs.

However, the city of Santa Cruz operates Mitchell's Cove beach about a mile or two up the West Cliff trail.  This beach is still open to off leash use.  However, this beach does not have a sign stating it is Mitchell's Cove Beach, much less a sign stating the off leash hours or any regulations for the beach.  There is a concrete stairwell leading down to the beach from the walking path on West Cliff.  The city website is a bit outdated listing hours still for Its Beach and Lighthouse Field but the hours for Mitchell's Cove are correct. Dogs are allowed off leash from sunrise to 10am and 4pm to sunset daily.  And they may be on the beach from 10am to 4pm as long as they are on leash.  Dog-Park-USA is currently asking the city of Santa Cruz to place a sign at this beach with the beaches name and the hours.  It may be worth the trouble of adding a sign at Its Beach pointing the way to Mitchell's Cove as well and give dog owner's a new place to play. 

Santa Cruz has now been offered to buy the land at Lighthouse Field and Its Beach for $1.4 million
dollars and dog owners groups (like FOLF) have been coming up with ways to help pay for
this venture.  Nothing has been settled as the price is high.

If you would like to comment on this article you can reach us at our email address: editor at  dog-park-usa.com