Approved off-leash locations in and around San Diego

When taking your dog to a dog park or dog beach, always keep the following in mind:

  • Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated. This is safest for your dog as well as other dogs sharing the area. We don’t recommend taking your puppy to a park or dog beach until he or she has had all the necessary vaccines.
  • Always clean up after your pet! Don’t forget to bring along some plastic baggies.
  • Beware of aggressive dog behavior.
  • It’s a good idea to bring along a small bowl or something else your dog can drink clean water from. Drinking ocean water can dehydrate your dog and possibly cause diarrhea.
  • Keep an eye on your dog at all times!  The boundaries of these parks and beaches are usually there to protect your dog from other hazards such as traffic or rip currents.
  • Also be aware of native wildlife in the area, such as crabs, seals or squirrels.
  • Talk to other owners before sharing treats. Other dogs may have allergies that prevent them from eating certain foods.
  • Watch for sharp objects on the beach such as glass or shells.

Del Mar Dog Beach
Located at the river mouth at Via de la Valle and Highway 101, north of 29th Street.
Dogs are allowed off-leash from the day after Labor Day until June 15th.
Check the tide before bringing your dog here. During high tide the usable area is very small. Also make sure to bring water, as there are no drinking fountains.

Fiesta Island
Located in Mission Bay Park. Hours are from 6:00 a.m. – 10 p.m. everyday.
“Fiesta Island has its good points and its bad points. I love that the terrain varies from the ocean and the beach to a large well-kept field. The walkway is raised, which allows me to watch all of my dogs at once, even if they are on opposite sides or the cliff and the field. This part of Fiesta Island is ~95% enclosed which allows the dogs to run off leash without worrying about cars. All of Fiesta Island is dog friendly – on the outer skirts you can walk your dogs for miles but on a leash. While at Fiesta Island make sure you watch out for sharp shells and glass, especially towards the far end of the beach where the fence goes into the ocean on the parking lot side.” -from Hannah, one of our receptionists.

Dog Beach
Located in Ocean Beach at the foot of Voltaire Street, this site offers 24 hour access to the beach and ocean.
“The reason I frequent Dog Beach so much is not only the other dogs, but the other dog owners. There are rarely any fights between dogs like there are at dog parks because there is so much open area for them to run. The beach is very clean since owners pick up after their dogs and also themselves. There are a number of trash cans and baggy stations conveniently located around the beach. My dogs’ favorite part is the little inlet that runs along the side of the beach. My dogs prefer to swim here where there is no white water or breaks. Just be aware that when the tide is going out the under tow can be very strong.” -Hannah

Capehart Park
Located at the corner of Felspar and Soledad Mountain Road in Pacific Beach, this one acre park offers areas to provide water for dogs, a drinking fountain, picnic tables and benches, and a parking area. It is open 24 hours. If you have a small breed dog, this park is great since it is divided with a nice grassy area that is dedicated to dogs that weigh under 30 lbs. In the early evening, around 5 o’clock, seems to be the best time to go.

Dusty Rhodes Neighborhood Park
Located on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Nimitz and West Point Loma, this one acre park offers one area for all dogs. There is discussion about adding water stations for dogs and fountains for people, and expanding this site to five acres.
“I would highly recommend Ocean Beach Dog Park to any large breed dog owners. It has a large open area that is great for dogs to really run around and play chase games. There are benches and chairs placed around the park and under the trees in shade which is great on a hot summer day. On the down side, people do not pick up after their dogs as much as they do in smaller parks, and tend to leave their pets unattended which can result in dogs fighting.” -Hannah

Here are other dog parks & beaches as listed on the City of San Diego website.

Balboa Park
Nate’s Point – Balboa Dr. at El Prado, south side of Cabrillo Bridge.
Morley Field – northwest of tennis courts.
Open 24 hours

Doyle Community Park
Located at 8175 Regents Road, this park is situated behind Doyle Recreation Center and offers two fenced turfed areas, one for small dogs and one for large or all dogs. It is open 24 hours however it is not lighted.

Grape Street Park
Located at Grape Street and Granada Ave this five acre site is unfenced and is available for off leash use during the following designated days and times:
Monday thru Friday: 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
Located at 3170 Armstrong Street, this one acre park near the Kearny Mesa Recreation Center offers one area for all dogs. The site is now lighted which allows for evening use.  There is a water station for dogs and fountains for people. Parking can be a challenge during the day as the closest parking lot is used by students attending Mesa College.
Hours are from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. everyday.

Maddox Neighborhood Park
Located at 7815 Flanders Street, this .65 acre park offers one turfed area with a walkway and drinking fountain.

Nobel Park
Located at 8820 Judicial Drive, just east of the North University Community Branch Library building, (map) and near the Nobel Athletic Fields and Recreation Center, this area offers adjacent parking and separate sections for large and small dogs.

Rancho Bernardo Park
Located at 18448 West Bernardo Drive, this 2.66 acre park offers leash free space adjacent to Rancho Bernardo Community Park, and includes additional parking for dog park users.

Torrey Highlands Park
Located on Landsdale Drive off Del Mar Heights Road, this one acre park offers a turfed and mulched area.

Source: http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/general-info/dogs.shtml