San Diego Dog Beaches & Parks

Play on the sand and take a dip in the ocean with your canine companion at San Diego’s local Dog Beaches. Even let your dogs run free at San Diego's dog parks.

Leash Free Dog Beaches:

Fiesta Island -  Mission Bay
The whole island is leash-free. You can explore the fields inland as well as the beaches. Very calm water so dogs can take a quick dip. Be aware of boats and jet skis and try areas which are off-limits to these. The least crowded dog beach, even on weekends.  Open 24 hours.

Dog Beach - Ocean Beach
Dog Beach is the original dog beach and one of the most popular places to take your dog. Dog run area where dogs are permitted without a leash 24 hours a day.
* Located at the Sandy Area at north Ocean Beach. This beach area is at the west end of the San Diego River Floodway, also known as the Ocean Beach Flood Control Channel.

Dog Beach - Del Mar/Solana Beach
This beach is open to dogs September-June 15th only and is leash free confined to the area south of 15th Street and north of 29th Street. For the rest of the year, leashes are required. Be aware that of the common parking tickets, especially along Camino Del Mar. Some free parking just south of the river. 
*Via De La Valle & South Highway 101 to Camino del Mar and 29th St. to just south of Via de la Valle at the mouth of the San Dieguito River (next to the Del Mar Race Track).

Dog Beaches:

North Beach - Coronado
Wide and sandy beach, good for dogs who like strong surf.
*Located at the most northern end of the beach next to Naval Air Station.  On Ocean Boulevard near Sunset Park.

Mission Beach’s Beach - Mission Bay
The most popular of the San Diego Dog Beaches. Best to visit in the winter or on evenings or weekends. The beach tends to get very crowded on summer weekends since it is the most accessible and well known.  Watch out for the common aggressive or other trouble-making dogs here.

Cardiff State Beach
Dogs are allowed here, on-leash only.
*The beach is located one mile south of Cardiff on Old Highway 101.

Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach allow dogs on the beach areas north of Palm Avenue and south of Imperial Beach Boulevard as long as they are on an 8 foot leash.

La Jolla Shores Beach
Camino Del Oro

Dog Parks:

Guajome County Park- Dogs are allowed inside the park for an additional fee of $1 per pet. Dogs must be on a 6 foot or less leash, and they are not allowed on the trails, only the paved areas

Encinitas Park- Dogs are permitted off-leash from 6:00-7:30 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM on MWF only. All other days and times, dogs must be on-leash.

Oceanside Dog Park- This fenced park in Oceanside is open from 7 AM to 7 PM except for Wednesdays.

Palomar East Dog Park -located in Veteran's Park at 785 East Palomar.

Cadman Community Park- 4280 Avati Drive

Capehart Park- Open 24 hours. Located at the corner of Felspar and Soledad Mountain Road

Balboa Park - 24 hours a day at:
* Nate's Point - Balboa Dr. at El Prado, south side of Cabrillo Bridge.
* Morley Field northwest of tennis courts.

Doyle Community Park- 24 hours. 8175 Regents Road

Grape Street Park-  Park is unfenced. Located at Grape Street and 28th Street
Leash free hours:  Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Kearny Mesa Community Park- 3170 Armstrong Street
Every day: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Maddox Neighborhood Park- 7815 Flanders Street

Rancho Bernardo Park- 18448 West Bernardo Drive

Torrey Highlands Park- Located on Landsdale Drive off Del Mar Heights Road

Harbor Island - 2036 Harbor Island Drive

Wells Park- El Cajon at 1153 E. Madison Ave., the off-leash area is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Poway Dog Park- off leash area extend evening hours to 9:30 p.m. 13094 Bowron Road, Poway.

Harry Griffen Park– 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa

Cadman Community Park -  4280 Avati Drive, Clairmont

Capehart Park- Pacific Beach/La Jolla