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Home » Tips » Dog-friendly things to do in San Diego

A dog with its owner

Dog-friendly things to do in San Diego

November 1, 2021May 16, 2022 by Surfing Airplanes

Are you searching for dog-friendly things and activities to do in San Diego? Then, this post is for you! Keep with us!

Spend quality time with your four-legged furry friend in outdoor places in San Diego! Travelers and locals alike have a large number of activities for outdoor recreation.

San Diego is so welcoming for pets that dog owners don’t have to leave them at home when they are having fun.

Find below some of the most famous dog-friendly activities to consider while you’re staying or living in San Diego, CA.

1. Spend Time at a Dog Beach

Have you ever heard about dog beaches? Dog Beaches are beaches/locals on the beach that allow you to bring your dog to have fun, and San Diego has the best dog beaches in the United States.

Consider going to Ocean Beach, Coronado Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Cardiff State Beach, Imperial Beach, or La Jolla Shores Beach. All of them are non-leash beaches where dogs are allowed for certain hours of the day.

You may also see dogs riding the waves on the surfboard, and this may sound different from the usual, but there are also a few doggy surfing competitions throughout the year.

2 dogs running on the beach

2. Play Fetch at Fiesta Island

Fiesta Island, in Mission Bay, is one of the best places for you to take your pooch to run a leash over a large part of the island.

You will also find a beach suitable for your dogs in Fiesta Island and if your friends are more interested in relaxing than swimming, there are large sand dunes for them.

You are going to love this place, as it offers a large dog park where your best friend can run and a large area with picnic tables where your babies are welcome.

Spend a day relaxing here, you will not regret it!

3. Take Your Pooch on a Hike

San Diego offers different places for hiking, and because of it, here’s our #3 tip, take your pooch on a hike!

However, there are some trails that are better than others, so check out below 3 great places for you to take your best friend.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

You will find a road network in the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park suitable for pets on the beach in Ocean Beach.

Parents of pets will also love this trip. However, be sure to keep your dog on the rope, as the trails here have significant traction, and there will definitely be other dogs nearby.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

The Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve long trails are ideal for dogs of all ages who love to sniff and discover nature.

This trail is perfect on warm days, as the canyon is not hot and you can protect yourself and your best friend easily in the shades in the rest areas.

Batiquitos Lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon is an easy way for humans and dogs. If you choose this trail you will find a lake along the coast between Carlsbad and Encinitas.

The North side of the harbor offers a wide range of landmarks for nature lovers.

4. Spend the Day in Balboa Park

Apart from being one of the most attractive places in San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the largest parks in the world, which makes it a perfect place to bring your dog.

Find a variety of open spaces, gardens, walkways, and museums.

Nate’s Point Off-Leash Dog Park is a designated area and is one of San Diego’s most popular dog parks. It’s located south of El Prado / Laurel Street and east of Balboa Drive.

If you choose to spend a day in this park, we recommend you to go to Panama 66, a restaurant that will accommodate your pet as it deserves.

Balboa Park

5. Visit Old Town San Diego

San Diego loves even dogs in historic outlying areas like Old Town San Diego, considered a native of California.

Whether dogs are not allowed inside the buildings, you will still get that feeling of what life was like in Mexico and the Americas in 1821.

Travel to Historic Plaza where there’s a green area to walk with your best friend and don’t forget to go to the markets.

Markets such as the Old San Diego City Market have great outdoor outlets that your dog is welcome, and some of its restaurants also offer a specific dog menu, like Fred’s Mexican Cafe.

6. Run Free at Off-Leash Dog Parks

If you need to visit off-leash parks to let your pet relax and work, visiting the San Diego dog run will do the trick!

Consider taking your dog to famous places like:

  • The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA Dog Park;
  • Encinias Park
  • Doyle Community Park

Each place has its own rules, so be sure to check the requirements before you leave.

Also read: Things to do in San Francisco

7. Visit Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Bars

Are you hungry? Is your pet with you? Then, don’t worry! You don’t need to leave your best friend at home or return to a hotel. San Diego has tons of bars and restaurants that accept dogs that are tied up whether on a sunny floor, on an outdoor balcony, or elsewhere that allows dogs.

Tip: Spend your day at the beach with the sun and a dog-friendly restaurant on Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach offers more than 30 places suitable for pets. Just go and have fun!

We’ve listed the best dog-friendly restaurants and bars, check out below:

  • Barbarella (La Jolla Shoes – they have a dog menu)
  • PB Fish Store (Pacific Beach)
  • Leroy’s Lounge Kitchen (Coronado)
  • Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Escondido Area)
  • Pizza Port (Ocean Beach)
  • Station Tavern (North Park)
a dog sleeping on a restaurant booth

8. Petco Park

Enjoy a baseball game at Petco Park, in one of five backyard viewing areas in the left-center field.

This park is one of the area’s most friendly dog-related venues in San Diego. Because of that, the pet amenities include an entrance and pet relief area, special artificial turf that stays cool so pups don’t burn their paws, and umbrellas to protect your dog.

Conclusion

Each beach has different dog rules for determining whether it is owned by the state, the City of San Diego, or the city within the San Diego County Sea.

The lines in San Diego City’s parks and beaches will not exceed 8 ′ so be careful when using long reversible slopes.

Also, it’s important to have in mind that only fully vaccinated dogs are allowed outside the enclosure. So keep your puppies at home until they have received their required immunizations.

And last but not least, have fun!

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Gabriel in Cancun

Hi! I'm Gabriel, a Brazilian who works in Digital Marketing. As my work is flexible, I'm enjoying this opportunity to live as a Digital Nomad, exploring different places and learning about other cultures in the whole world. Since then, I've traveled to over 15 countries (and counting) and have knocked some big adventures off my bucket list.

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