A man has been swept to sea and drowned while trying to save his dog hit by a rogue wave on a California beach.

The U.S. Coast Guard says the man and his wife were walking on the beach on New Year's Day when a wave overtook the dog.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the couple went into the water to rescue the dog, but the man was swept away.

His body was found about three hours later.

The wife and dog made it safely to shore.

Names haven't been released.

In November, three people drowned while trying to save their dog at a California beach. (AP)