Manila Dunes (South)

There is nothing more romantic to do in California then go for a long, easy-going walk on the beach. It's actually a really fun activity to do with your dog too, and at the Manila Dunes, you'll be able to do just that on the Manila Dunes Trails. The dunes are separated into two parts and only the southern portion of the dunes allow pups, offering trails and space to run around.

There are 4 different trails along the dunes, but only 3 are dog-friendly and allows for off-leash exploration once you leave the parking lot. Getting to the parking lot is easy and free, and once parked, you'll enjoy amenities like water fountains, restrooms, clean-up stations for pups, and picnic tables with trash bins. The Manila Dunes are also known as the Ma-le'l Dunes, and all the names of the trails tie back to the Wiyot language, which was the first language used in this area by native tribes.

The first trail that's best to explore is the Vou'gul Trail, which starts on the eastern part of the parking lot. This trail is about a half a mile and is made of sand, which explores the forests on the eastern side of the dunes. Twisty pine and oak trees provide lots of shade, with vegetation and wildflowers in the spring and summer months. This short and easy trail connects to the Du-k trail, which is the longest trail in the park.

The Du-k Trail is a mile long and runs up the coast, leaving the forest and heading into the sandy beach. This trail winds through sandy hills and past borders, bringing you and Fido right up to the water. This is the perfect spot to play some fetch, dip your feet in the water, or enjoy some whale watching on the coast. This trail turns around though and forks off to the third and final trail, the Ledik Trail.

The Ledik Trail is the final trail, and explores the western portion of the dune where the sandy coast meets grassy fields and forests. There's a slight incline on this trail as it heads back to the parking lot, and gives hikers a pretty view of the ocean from a higher viewpoint. It then reconnects to the northern part of the parking lot.

Leash up Fido before entering the parking lot and head home, satisfied from a pretty day on the beach and dunes.