Dog Friendly Parks and Beaches in San Diego

Dog Friendly Parks and Beaches in San Diego 

San Diego was ranked #2 on most dog friendly cities in America, and for good reason! There are a lot of really cool (and well known) dog spaces throughout the city, such as Dog Beach and Mission Bay. But there are other options! Before we get to them, a quick note on why so many places require a leash. 

Dogs and cats off leash can do a lot of damage to ecosystems, can cause health code violations, and can also cause issues between other guests at the park. Obviously we’re not talking about your pet, who definitely is always on their best behavior!  

Below is a quick list of local places that are pet friendly. Also, unless otherwise stated, these are leash-on spaces. I know it’s fun to let your pet roam open-spaces and hiking trails, but these rules are in place for a reason! Plus, Parks and Rec is a part of SDPEBA, so please be mindful of the rules and if someone asks you to leash your pet, just do it. 

Balboa Park  

Every outdoor space in Balboa Park is pet friendly. But most places behind a gate aren’t. There are dozens of trails, and plenty of huge fields! Leashes are required throughout the park except in designated areas (which is for the best as there are a lot of people, a lot of food vendors, and also a lot of cars). Be sure to check out Morley Field. This is more of a “chill side” or sports park and there are two off-leash areas.  

Sunset Cliff 

This not-so-hidden gem has trails and beach access that are both pet friendly. We saw mixed information about dogs being allowed off leash on the beach. According to Parks and Rec, dogs are required to be on leash to protect their owners, the local wildlife, and the dogs.  

Coronado Dog Beach (North Beach) 

This is one of the few true dog beaches in San Diego and is slightly less crowded than the actual “Dog Beach” in OB. Since the Hotel del Coronado is a dog friendly hotel, you’ll meet some tourists here, but it is an incredibly beautiful location.  

Grape Street 

The Grape Street dog park is a relatively big area near the “woods” of Balboa Park. You’ll have to take some side streets to get there, but it has its own parking lot and some nearby trails. The important thing to note is that there are no fences here, which can be a problem since there are burrowing owls in the area! So, you have to be mindful not to let your dog run off too far.