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

Pet-Friendly Package

Days Inn By Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle
Valid: Jun 4 - ongoing

YOUR PUP DESERVES A VACATION TOO!  Treat your four-legged family members to extra-special pet perks at the Days Inn during your next getaway. Your pup has been used to having you...

Accommodation

Beach & Breakfast

Paradise Point
Valid: May 15 - ongoing

Rise and Dine in America’s Finest City. Stay in any of our guestrooms, bungalows or San Diego hotel suites and start your day with a delicious breakfast. Whether you are craving traditional fare...

Restaurants

Show Your Badge & Save at Bronze Bird

Bronze Bird - The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Valid: Jan 8 - ongoing

Stop in for a quick bite at Bronze Bird® Food Wine & Spirits, located a short walk from the Convention Center. Enjoy So-Cal comfort fare including shareable creations plus your choice of...

Events to check out

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

Event

Private Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Oct 11, 2024 - ongoing

Private Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure includes many attractions in ONE! The finest local wines; delicious farm-to-table food; hidden gems; sightseeing; history; culture; fully guided tour for the...

Event

San Diego Resolution Run 5K / 10K / Half Marathon

Jan 11, 2025

Join us for the Annual San Diego Resolution Run 5K, 10K and Half Marathon at Mission Bay on January 11! Enjoy a beautiful course and water views as you wind through Mission Bay. After the run, check...

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