Pet Friendly Paradise

Bring your furry friends along for the ride
Golden retriever dog sticks head out of window of VW Bug along the San Diego coastline

Pet Friendly Travel Tips & Things to do in San Diego

San Diego is a pet paradise. With our near-perfect weather and plenty of wide-open spaces, dogs can have as much fun vacationing in San Diego as their human companions. Learn about pet-friendly things to do in San Diego.

Getting Here

A dog wearing a striped shirt rides a skateboard on a boardwalk as three people sit on a ledge in the background near a wheelchair, with the beach and ocean behind them.

Getting Here

And getting here with your pet can be as easy as hopping aboard a train for a beautiful ride along the coast. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner welcomes dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (the combined weight of pet and carrier) on this famously scenic route, for a fee of $29 or 1,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Where to Stay

A small Yorkshire Terrier sits on a red plaid dog bed labeled "DEL DOG" in white letters, inside a home with carpeted flooring.

Where to Stay

Once you're here, there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels that will pamper your pooch with the same hospitality they extend to you. And there are lots of excellent pet boutiques and spas as well. Search our site for "pet friendly" to find additional member businesses that will welcome your furry friends.

Where to Play

Five dogs of various breeds play and splash in shallow water near rocky terrain at the beach.

Where to Play

Taking your dog to the beach is the thing to do in San Diego! San Diego also has wonderful dog-friendly beaches, including sections of Ocean Beach, Fiesta Island at Mission Bay, Coronado North and Del Mar. Plus, the region boasts a variety of fun, leash-free parks, including two dog parks located within Balboa Park. For more details about these great options, read the Dog Beach and Off-leash Parks article. 

Pet Forward Events

A dog wearing an orange vest surfs on a board while another surfer and a person with a camera are nearby in the ocean, with a pier visible in the background.

Pet Forward Events

And if your dog is a social animal, City Cruises' Annual Pet Day on the Bay (in May), and the Gaslamp Quarter Pet Parade (in December) are much-loved events. Or, if your pup would like to try out a new skill such as pup paddleboarding or doggie yoga, both are offered through The SUP Connection. 

We hope to see you and your pets in San Diego soon!