San Diego - the land of sunshine, beaches, great food, and more. This picturesque city in Southern California is also just as much a paradise for dogs as it is for people. Here’s our guide to some experiences we think you and your dog will love while visiting San Diego.
Getting Around San Diego with Your Dog
Though San Diego has a fairly robust trolley and bus system, it is still mostly a driver’s city. The easiest way to get around is by car, or by hailing a dog-friendly ride on Uber or Lyft. Traveling around on the trolley, you’ll often see dogs of all sizes riding with their owners, but the official policy of the San Diego Metro Transit system is that non-service dogs are only allowed on the trolley if they are secured in a carrier that can fit on a lap.
The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Diego
With miles of picturesque coastline, the city has several beautiful beaches where dogs are warmly welcomed. Much of San Diego’s coast falls within protected nature areas, so be sure to check any given beach’s dog policies before heading out for your beach day.
The Original Dog Beach (Ocean Beach):
Ocean Beach’s simply-named “Original Dog Beach” lives up to its title as one of the original and quintessential dog beaches in America. It’s a true dog community, with off-leash access 24/7. Since it’s so accessible, you can expect the beach to be filled with dogs and surfers all hours of the day. Locals take great pride in keeping this beach as free of restrictions as possible, so make sure to keep the good thing going by cleaning up after your dog and practicing safe play.
Coronado Dog Beach:
At the tip of a peninsula across the water from Downtown San Diego, Coronado is a getaway even for San Diegans. Coronado has some of the most beautiful beaches in the county, and the northern end of the beach is dog-friendly with off-leash access year round. The spacious beach has a calm and friendly atmosphere, with great views of the Hotel Del Coronado.
Del Mar Dog Beach:
If your dog is nervous around waves but still loves to swim, the Del Mar Dog Beach offers ocean access sheltered from big waves by being located at the mouth of a lagoon outlet. The James G Scripps Bluff Preserve trail is connected to the beach, adding a quick, half-mile hike with great views to dry off after a swim. According to the City of Del Mar, dogs are allowed off-leash in the off-season between the day after Labor Day and June 15th. During the summer, dogs are able to be off leash every morning until 8 a.m., but must be leashed the remainder of the day.
Dog-Friendly Trails and Hikes Near San Diego
Despite being home to more than 3 million people, San Diego County boasts incredible outdoor spaces that feel surprisingly wild and untouched. Of course, any wild lands will be home to wild plants and animals. For San Diego parks and trails, be sure to read up on the prevalence of ticks, rattlesnakes, poison oak, and loose terrain when deciding on the right hike for you and your dog. Inland trails are usually much hotter and less shaded than coastal areas, so be sure to check the weather at your destination before leaving and bring plenty of water.
Mission Trails Regional Park:
Just 12 miles outside of Downtown San Diego, the dog-friendly open space preserve has 60 miles of trails that lead to great views and water features. The park also has a 46-site campground available on weekends if you and your dog are looking for a longer getaway. For a great shady hike, the Oak Canyon Trail is a 3.3-mile out-and-back that follows along creeks (which can dry up in the summer and fall) and connects to a few trails that can lead you to higher peaks and views of the city. Dogs must remain leashed at all times in the park.
Eflin Forest Recreational Reserve:
Located north of the city in Escondido, Elfin Forest has 11 miles of trails with beautiful lake views and has lush vegetation in the winter and spring months. The Lake Hodges Overlook Trail is a great lengthier hiking option, as a 6.6-mile out-and-back with both shady areas and panoramic views. The reserve is dog-friendly, though they must remain on a leash at all times.
Tecolote Canyon Natural Park:
An easy escape within the city, Tecolote Canyon is located just north of the University of San Diego campus and offers 10 dog-friendly trails. The canyon has plenty of shady areas and a running creek, so it manages to stay much more temperate compared to trails further east even in summer months. The southern part of the park is incrementally affected by an ongoing infrastructure improvement, but plenty of great trails are still open. The Tecolote Canyon and Mount Etna Park Loop is a 2.8-mile fairly flat loop that offers a quick morning or evening nature getaway from most neighborhoods in San Diego.
Great Dog Parks and Green Spaces in San Diego
While Balboa Park is truly San Diego’s can’t-miss park, many neighborhoods are filled with wonderful green spaces for morning or evening walks - or just to sit out and enjoy the weather. Be sure to check individual park’s dog rules; some are on environmentally protected lands and some have specific dog hours.
Balboa Park:
The 1,200-acre park is a must-see for San Diego visitors with or without a dog. The historic park is filled with museums and meticulously manicured gardens, and has three large off-leash dog parks. Nate’s Point (2.3 acres), Grape Street (5 acres), and Morley Field (unfenced) are all great open spaces to let your dog roam free. The Florida Canyon Trail weaves a 2.3-mile loop through the park and is a great way to see many of the beautiful gardens.
Powerhouse Park (Del Mar):
North of the city, Powerhouse Park is the Del Mar community’s watering hole. A large grassy strip right along the beach, you’ll see families out for picnics, kids playing in the sand, and crowds of surfers of all ages and skill levels in the water. Within walking distance to many dog-friendly restaurants in Del Mar, it’s an easy place to walk and take in the sunset before or after dinner. Dogs are welcome in the park or on the beach if they are on a leash, but make sure to keep them out of the children’s play area.
Fiesta Island (Mission Bay):
Fiesta Island is an island park located inside Mission Bay that is nearly completely off-leash friendly. It’s truly a dog’s paradise, with lots of calm waters for swimming, sand dunes to play on, and a few winding trails for hikes. While the park is mostly a dog free-for-all, make sure to check the sandiego.gov website for the Fiesta Island event schedule, as it is known to host many charity walks and races.
Neighborhoods for Dog-Friendly Dining in San Diego
The city and greater county of San Diego is fairly spread out, but it’s full of vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Since the weather is great year-round, many restaurants have dog-friendly outdoor areas. It also has a thriving craft beer and brewery industry, making it easy to find dog-friendly outings.
Old Town:
A great way to learn about the history of San Diego, pick up some souvenirs, and eat some great food, Old Town San Diego is also very welcoming to dogs. On-leash pets are welcome to explore the State Historic Park and sit outside at many of the restaurants, but they are not allowed inside the museum buildings. Weekends and holidays can become very busy with foot traffic, so dogs who are nervous in crowds or around children may enjoy Old Town more during quieter hours.
North Park:
Named for its location just north of Balboa Park, the neighborhood has one of the most bustling nightlife and restaurant scenes in San Diego. With a fairly dense and walkable downtown, North Park is filled with dog-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries.
Ocean Beach:
Within walking distance to The Original Dog Beach, Ocean Beach’s downtown is the kind of neighborhood where wearing anything more than flip flops would feel too formal. There is no shortage of dog-friendly restaurants and bars to find a bite to eat before or after heading to the beach.
Enjoy Your Trip to Dog Paradise
With comfortable weather and fresh air year-round, your dog will love getting out and about in San Diego. Enjoy the beach and the trails, and if things end up more sandy or dirty than you’ve bargained for, the city is filled with friendly self-service dog washes.
Safe travels!
