California Dog Hazard Center

MONTEREY BAY COASTAL HAZARDS · VERIFIED NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Stay out of the surf and well back from the shoreline.

National Weather Service advisories (PST): A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through 6 p.m. Friday, November 13 for Northern Monterey Bay and Southern Monterey Bay/Big Sur, with sneaker waves, strong rip currents and 15–20-foot breaking waves. A High Surf Warning follows from 6 p.m. Friday, November 13 to 4 a.m. Sunday, November 15, with dangerous surf of 25–35 feet and potentially higher sets. For Southern Monterey Bay/Big Sur, an existing Coastal Flood Advisory lasts until 4 p.m. Friday, November 13. A new Coastal Flood Advisory covers Northern Monterey Bay and Southern Monterey Bay/Big Sur from midnight Friday night, November 14, through 6 p.m. Saturday, November 14. The Friday-evening high surf warning and Saturday coastal flooding may cause dangerous runup and flooding of low-lying coastal infrastructure. These are distinct products with different coverage and expiration times.

Keep dogs out of the water and well away from jetties, rocks, seawalls and narrow beach exits; do not turn your back on the ocean. Temporary alert: remove or refresh when NWS modifies, cancels or expires these products. Check the live official message immediately before visiting.

Live National Weather Service coastal warnings and advisories →

BIG SUR STATE PARK ACCESS · VERIFIED NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Check each park's restrictions and dog rules separately.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Reopened October 16 after the Timber Fire. Day-use areas, campground, Buzzards Roost Trail, River Path, Redwood Grove Boardwalk, Campfire Center and Big Sur Lodge are accessible. Still closed: Pfeiffer Falls, Valley View, Oak Grove, Mt. Manuel, Big Sur River Gorge and Pine Ridge trails. Dogs are permitted on Warden's Path and River Path, and in day-use parking lots and campground, not on other trails. Official Pfeiffer restrictions and dog rules →

Andrew Molera State Park: Trail Camp closed for the winter November 1, 2026, with reopening projected May 1, 2027; the seasonal Creamery Meadow Trail footbridge was removed October 29, 2026. Check river crossing and current trail conditions before visiting. Dogs are not allowed. Official Andrew Molera restrictions →

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park: The official trail-detail page lists open: Canyon Trail, the west half of Ewoldsen Trail (east half closed), Tan Bark Trail, Tin House Road for hiking (closed to vehicles), and Partington Cove Trail. Closed: McWay Falls/Waterfall Overlook Trail, Waters Trail, and the east half of Ewoldsen Trail. There is no beach or ocean access at McWay Falls; fenced cliff, beach, Saddle Rock and McWay Falls areas are off limits. The park's general page still contains broad legacy language about upper trails, so check the detailed trail page and posted notices before visiting. Dogs are not allowed beyond the paved day-use parking area; no dogs on trails. Official trail-by-trail status → · Official park/dog restrictions →

Park operational or fire-recovery closures are different from permanent dog-access restrictions. Verify the park-specific notices again before travel.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT FOXTAILS?

Dry barbed seed heads can enter paws, ears, eyes, nose and skin and migrate deeper. Check dogs after dry-grass outings; persistent sneezing, head shaking, limping, licking, squinting or swelling after exposure deserves veterinary attention.

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine →

ARE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS DANGEROUS TO DOGS?

California public-health guidance warns that dogs have died after consuming toxin-contaminated water or dried algae. Avoid suspicious, discolored or scummy water and follow posted advisories. When in doubt, stay out.

California Department of Public Health → · California HAB Reports Map →

WHEN DOES HEAT BECOME AN EMERGENCY?

Coastal weather can hide heat risk. Bring fresh water, plan around the dog, avoid hot pavement and sand, and treat suspected heatstroke as an emergency rather than waiting for an online answer.

California heat guidance → · EPA wildfire-smoke guidance for pets → · Emergency Help Desk →

WHAT IF MY DOG MAY HAVE EATEN A TOXIN OR THE WRONG MEDICATION?

Do not wait for symptoms after a suspected toxic exposure. Gather packaging and contact a veterinarian, emergency hospital or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Do not induce vomiting or give a home remedy unless a veterinary professional directs you.

ASPCA poison guidance →

WHAT OTHER CALIFORNIA OUTDOOR HAZARDS MATTER?

Saltwater ingestion, wildfire and smoke, hot surfaces, cliffs and surf, ticks, rattlesnakes, mushrooms, marine hazards and changing beach or trail rules can all matter. A destination being dog-friendly does not mean it is right for every dog or every day.

California Dog Adventure Finder → helps match the outing to the dog. California Dog Guide → connects regional resources and local-help planning.

AFTER AN OUTING

Check paws, between toes, coat, ears and exposed skin; offer fresh water; notice unusual fatigue, limping, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, head shaking or behavior changes. If something is different and you are unsure what it means, use Something Changed →.