Esplanade Beach

Esplanade beach is a very accessible suburban off-leash dog beach in Pacifica. This small stretch of sand is only exposed at mid-to-low tides, and the long, steep (but wide and smooth) path down from the street is a crowd deterrent. For those with dogs or who don't mind dogs, this is a nice, secluded bit of shore that feels much further from the city than it is. With fine views up and down the coast and interesting eroding cliffs, it is a pretty scenic place to spend a quiet hour with the raging surf. It is rarely crowded even though it is small, and the area to the left around the access path is often empty. There are a few benches set on the southern landings of the switchbacks, so the views and solitude can be enjoyed even by those who choose not to go all the way down to the beach.