arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

San Diego Dog Beaches and Off-Leash Dog Parks

Places to play fetch or doggy-paddle

Find dog-friendly beaches and off-leash dog parks in San Diego that are great for your dog to perfect its doggy-paddle, play fetch, or have a snore-fest on the warm sand.

Tips for trips to San Diego beaches and off-leash dog parks

California beaches and off leash dog parks aren't just for humans to enjoy; they're for your canine best friends too. Below are dog-friendly parks and beaches in San Diego that are great for your dog to perfect its doggy-paddle, play fetch, or have a snore-fest on the warm sand.

  • Make sure that your dog is wearing a current license and has all its required, up-to-date vaccinations.
  • Keep your dog on a leash until you get to the designated off-leash area.
  • Please always clean up after your pet.

Dog beaches

Dog Beach - Ocean Beach
(24 hr. off leash) - located at the west end of Voltaire St., this off leash dog beach is one of the most popular in San Diego

Fiesta Island - Mission Bay
Located in Mission Bay Park, dogs are allowed in all areas except for the Youth Campground and Least Tern nesting sites (seasonal). Daily 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM, this area offers calmer waters than the ocean and sand dunes to run on.

North Beach Dog Run - Coronado
(24 hr. off leash) - located on Ocean Blvd. near Sunset Park at the northern end of the beach next to the U.S. Naval Station entrance. Dogs must be leashed until you reach the beach. Foot shower and free dog litter bags at the entrance to the run.

Del Mar Dog Beach - Del Mar
(post-Labor Day thru mid-June off leash) - located at the rivermouth along Highway 101, between 29th Street and Via De La Valle.

Off-leash dog parks & recreation areas by region

Downtown

Grape Street Dog Park - South Park
This 5-acre, unfenced area is available for off-leash use Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 9:00 pm; Saturday - Sunday and Holidays, 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. Located at Grape St. and 28th Street.

Morley Field Dog Park - Balboa Park
(24 hr. off leash) - located northwest of the tennis courts at Morley Field.

Nate's Point - Balboa Park
(24 hr. off leash) - A large, flat, fenced lawn located at Balboa Dr. off El Prado, on the south side of Cabrillo Bridge.

Mission Bay & Beaches

Capehart Dog Park - Pacific Beach
(24-hr. off leash) - Located at the corner of Felspar and Soledad Mountain Road, this one acre park offers two fenced pens, one for small dogs and one for large or all dogs. The park also includes a drinking fountain, picnic tables and benches, and a parking area.

Dusty Rhodes Park - Ocean Beach
(24-hr. off leash) - A 1.5 acre, fenced area located on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. between Nimitz and West Point Loma Blvd. Closed Mondays, 6:00 - 9:00 am for maintenance.

Mission Valley & Old Town

Cadman Community Park - Clairemont
Located at 4280 Avati Drive, the off leash dog park is unfenced and its hours adjust seasonally. No off leash dogs on the 4th of July or Saturday mornings during Little League season.

Kearny Mesa Community Park
Located at 3170 Armstrong Street, this 1 acre park offers one area for all dogs. Parking can be a challenge during the day as the closest parking lot is used by students attending Mesa College.

La Jolla

Doyle Recreation Center - La Jolla
(24-hr. off leash) - Turn south on Cargil Ave from Nobel and turn left on the second street. This one acre park offers two fenced pens, one for small dogs and one for large or all dogs. The park also includes a drinking fountain, picnic tables and benches.

East County

Harry Griffen Park - La Mesa
Located at 9550 Milden Street, this neighborhood park has a designated acre for off-leash dogs.

Wells Park - El Cajon
Open daily from 7 am to 9 pm and lighted for night use, the 1.4 acre off leash dog park has gravel and grassy sun areas and dual drinking fountains (for pets and their owners). Located in the southwest part of Wells Park at 1153 E. Madison Ave.

North County Coastal

Ann D. L'Heureux Memorial Dog Park - Carlsbad
Located on Carlsbad Village Drive, the 13,200 square feet fenced park offers plenty of benches, a dog drinking fountain, plastic bag dispensers and parking.

Torrey Highlands Dog Park
One acre park located on Lansdale Drive off Del Mar Heights Road.

North County Inland

Poway Dog Park
Located in the southwest corner of Poway Community Park at 13094 Bowron Road, there are three fenced-in off leash dog areas. The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily, however, lights in the dog park areas continue until 10:00 pm year-round.

Rancho Bernardo Off Leash Dog Park
San Diego's newest off leash dog park, this 2.5 acre park at 18448 West Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo offers leash free space adjacent to Rancho Bernardo Community Park, and includes additional parking for dog park users. Open dawn to dusk except for maintenance.

Rancho Peñasquitos Dog Park
Open dawn to dusk, this one acre off leash dog park has separate fenced ares for small and large dogs, plus benches. It is located on Salmon River Road at Fairgrove Lane across from the Rancho Peñasquitos Branch Library.

Find more tips on traveling with your pets:

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

Vacay Your Way!

The Dana on Mission Bay
Valid: Sep 25, 2023 - ongoing

Escape to your dream getaway on Mission Bay! Design your perfect Vacation Package by handpicking the ideal guestroom and customizing it with our extraordinary add-on options. Whether you're looking...

Printing Services

Show Your Badge and Save At The UPS Store #7602

The UPS Store
Valid: Dec 6, 2023 - ongoing

You can save 10% off all print and shipping at The UPS Store in Little Italy, CA. Our address is 2020 Columbia St. Please note, this discount is only available at this location. 

Accommodation

On The Road Again Package

Days Inn By Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle
Valid: Nov 13, 2023 - ongoing

Book our On The Road Again Package and receive cozy room accommodations, free nightly parking (usually $10/night) and a complimentary $25 gas card! Make San Diego your road trip destination!

Events to check out

Event

Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom!

Jul 4, 2024

The Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom July 4th Fireworks Show is back, promising another spectacular display over San Diego Bay. Fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from barges placed...

Event

La Jolla Half Marathon & Shores 5K

May 18, 2024

The La Jolla Half Marathon is one of America's most picturesque and beautiful point-to-point races. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the course follows a scenic coastal route before reaching the...

Event

Annual Over The Line Tournament

Jul 13 - Jul 21, 2024

The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) is calling all players, beach-goers, and sports enthusiasts to the biggest summer event in San Diego!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish