In loving memory of Kimura
This guide is named for Kimura, a little Maltipoo rescued from the San Diego Humane Society at two months old, who spent thirteen years exploring this city. She was never “the dog,” always “Pup”: the smartest, most loving travel companion, happiest with sand under her paws at Coronado, room to roam on Fiesta Island and soft grass at Liberty Station. These were her favorite places. We hope they become your pup’s too.
Quick answer: San Diego's best off-leash dog beaches are Ocean Beach Dog Beach and Coronado Dog Beach, plus Del Mar's North Beach outside summer. For wide-open play, Fiesta Island is the biggest off-leash area in the county. San Diego Best also lists more than 1,100 dog-friendly patios, plus groomers, daycare and boarding and vets. Use the finder below to filter by type, neighborhood or what's near you.
Find dog-friendly places in San Diego
Check what you're looking for, choose a neighborhood or tap Near me, then press Show places.
35 All dog-friendly places in Del Mar
Kimura’s favorite places
Coronado Dog Beach
At the north end of Coronado Beach, this is the only stretch of Coronado’s shoreline where dogs are welcome, and they can run off-leash year-round with no time restrictions. It tends to be calmer than Ocean Beach, with soft sand, gentle surf and views of Point Loma.
Know before you go: keep your pup leashed until you reach the dog beach; dogs aren’t allowed on the rest of Coronado Beach or the nearby lawns. Find it off Ocean Boulevard near Sunset Park.
Fiesta Island, Mission Bay
The largest off-leash space in San Diego County, Fiesta Island has acres of sand, calm bay water for dogs who are nervous about waves and a fenced off-leash area. It has been named the best dog park in the country by USA Today 10Best.
Know before you go: off-leash play follows posted hours, and some shoreline areas close to dogs seasonally to protect nesting birds; follow the signs. There’s no water spigot on the island, so bring water and a towel.
Liberty Station, Point Loma
The wide lawns around Liberty Station’s NTC Park are one of San Diego’s favorite places for a leashed stroll, with plenty of grass, shade and a walkable mix of shops and restaurants with outdoor seating nearby.
Know before you go: keep pups leashed on the lawns and pick up after them; this is a busy, family-filled park.
More off-leash beaches
Ocean Beach Dog Beach
San Diego’s most famous dog beach sits at the foot of Voltaire Street, where the San Diego River meets the Pacific. Dogs can run off-leash 24 hours a day, year-round, which makes it one of the busiest and most social dog beaches in the country.
Del Mar North Beach (Dog Beach)
Near the mouth of the San Dieguito River, Del Mar’s North Beach allows off-leash dogs in the off-season, from Labor Day to mid-June. Other Del Mar beaches require leashes, so check the posted signs before letting your pup run.
Leash rules on San Diego city beaches
On most City of San Diego beaches, including La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, dogs are allowed only on leash and only during limited morning and evening hours that change by season. Rules change, so check the posted signs or the City of San Diego’s beach rules before you go.
Tips for a great day out with your pup
- Bring water and a bowl. Many dog beaches have no fresh water.
- Check the sand. On hot afternoons, sand and pavement can burn paws; go early or late.
- Rinse after saltwater. A quick rinse keeps coats and skin happy.
- Watch the tide and surf. Small dogs and older pups can tire quickly in waves.
- Leash until you arrive. Almost every off-leash area requires a leash in parking lots and on the way in.
Off-leash parks, beaches and trails
Beyond Kimura’s three favorites, these are the best-rated places across the county to let your dog run, swim and sniff. Every one is confirmed dog-friendly, ranked by real visitor reviews. Leash rules and hours vary, so check the posted signs when you arrive.
Dog beaches
Dog parks
Dog-friendly hikes
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
Dog-friendly hike in Escondido
Penasquitos Creek Waterfall
Dog-friendly hike in Sorrento Valley
Dog services: groomers, daycare and vets
Kimura had her favorite groomer, her favorite sitter and a vet who always had a treat ready. These are the best-rated dog groomers, daycares and veterinarians across San Diego County, ranked by real customer reviews, the same way we rank every best-of list. Nobody can pay to move up.
Dog groomers
Woofpak Bakery & Dog Grooming
Dog groomer in University City
Raise The Wuff Mobile Dog Grooming
Dog groomer in Mission Valley East
Dog daycare and boarding
Veterinarians
East County Large and Small Animal Practice
Veterinarian in El Cajon
Animal Outpatient Surgery of San Diego and Blue Sky Veterinary Services, Inc.
Veterinarian in Kearny Mesa
Bayview Veterinary Center
Veterinarian in Pacific Beach
Anicira Veterinary Center of San Diego
Veterinarian in Encinitas
Dog-friendly patios: where Pup would have gone
Kimura never met a patio she didn’t like. These are San Diego’s best-rated restaurants, breweries and coffee shops where dogs are welcome, grouped by neighborhood. Every one is confirmed dog-friendly in its Google listing, and the ranking comes from the same review data we use for every best-of list, so nobody can pay their way in. Look for the 🐾 badge on each listing page: it tells you whether dogs are welcome on the patio or inside too.
Browse all 1,100+ dog-friendly spots in San Diego →
Encinitas
Sip-N-Sea: Coffee + Açaí
Coffee shop in Encinitas — also a dessert shop.
All dog-friendly spots in Encinitas →
La Jolla
Tahini Authentic Middle Eastern Street Food – UCSD
Mediterranean restaurant in La Jolla.
All dog-friendly spots in La Jolla →
Oceanside
Acai Republic – Oceanside
Dessert shop in Oceanside — also a bakery.
1022 Cafe & Gelateria
An Oceanside cafe and gelateria on Mission Avenue, steps from the pier.
All dog-friendly spots in Oceanside →
Pacific Beach
Nico’s Fish Market
A Pacific Beach fish market and restaurant on Emerald Street, San Diego's top-rated seafood.
The Point Crêperie Café
A Pacific Beach crêperie on Mission Boulevard, steps from the sand.
All dog-friendly spots in Pacific Beach →
North Park
Gelati & Peccati
Pizza place in North Park — also a Italian restaurant.
All dog-friendly spots in North Park →
Hillcrest
Massachusetts Mike’s Pizzeria
A Hillcrest pizzeria on University Avenue, San Diego's top-rated pizza.
CURRY NATION – INDIAN RESTAURANT & CATERING
Indian restaurant in Hillcrest.
All dog-friendly spots in Hillcrest →
Ocean Beach
Phatties Bake Shop
Bakery in Ocean Beach — also a coffee shop.
All dog-friendly spots in Ocean Beach →
Carlsbad
Aura Gardens
A Carlsbad cafe on Marron Road with a garden-inspired name and excellent reviews.
In-N-Out Burger
Burger joint in Carlsbad — also a breakfast and brunch spot.
All dog-friendly spots in Carlsbad →
Normal Heights
Dos Palmas Cafe – Normal Heights
An Adams Avenue cafe in Normal Heights, and San Diego's top-rated breakfast and brunch spot.
Sonny’s Pizza
A Normal Heights pizza spot on Madison Avenue.
Jyoti-Bihanga Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant
Vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Normal Heights — also a breakfast and brunch spot.
All dog-friendly spots in Normal Heights →
Escondido
Own a place that loves dogs and don’t see it here? Tell us about it, or claim your listing and add a photo of your patio.
Frequently asked questions
Which San Diego beaches allow dogs off-leash?
Ocean Beach Dog Beach allows off-leash dogs 24 hours a day, year-round. Coronado Dog Beach at the north end of Coronado Beach is off-leash year-round. Fiesta Island in Mission Bay is leash-optional during posted hours, and Del Mar’s North Beach is off-leash from Labor Day to mid-June.
What is the biggest off-leash dog park in San Diego?
Fiesta Island in Mission Bay is the largest off-leash space in San Diego County.
Are dogs allowed on Coronado Beach?
Only on Coronado Dog Beach, the designated area at the north end. Dogs are not allowed on the rest of Coronado Beach.
Can I bring my dog to Pacific Beach or La Jolla?
Leashed dogs are allowed on most City of San Diego beaches only during limited morning and evening hours that vary by season. Check posted signs before you go.
Where can I find a dog-friendly patio in San Diego?
San Diego Best lists more than 1,100 restaurants, cafes and breweries with dog-friendly patios. In the finder above, choose Dog-friendly patios, then pick your neighborhood or tap Near me.
How do I find a vet near me in San Diego?
In the finder above, choose Veterinarians and tap Near me to see the closest top-rated vets first. For emergencies, call a 24-hour animal hospital before you go.
Where can I board my dog in San Diego?
Choose Dog daycare & boarding in the finder to compare top-rated facilities near you. Tour before you book, and ask which vaccinations they require.
Do dogs need a license in San Diego County?
Yes. Dogs in San Diego County must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Your vet provides the rabies certificate you need for the license.
For Pup, who always wanted to go everywhere. Thinking about adding a pup to your family? The San Diego Humane Society, where Kimura’s story began, has animals waiting for homes.
San Diego Best