Know Before You Go: San Diego’s Dog Beaches
When your dog is part of your family, you probably want to take him or her everywhere you go. San Diego is a fantastic place for dog lovers with many scenic walks and dog beaches where you can play with your furry family member in the sun and sand. Usually an officer or other authority will only ask that you leave a “no dogs allowed” location, but with this list, you can avoid potentially having to vacate your nice beach spot sooner than expected:
This free, dog-friendly beach is open every day and is one of the most popular in the area. Located at the northern end of Ocean Beach, dogs are allowed to play in the sun and the water off-lead. There’s even a spot to give your pet a bath within walking distance of the beach.
Just to the north of the city, Del Mar allows dogs on the 2+ miles of beaches in the area, but most favor North Beach for trips with their dogs. Some areas are not open during summer, but most of the beach remains open and dog friendly throughout the year. Dogs must be kept on a leash on this beach during certain times of the year.
Fiesta Island Off Leash Dog Park.
Situated in Mission Bay, this beach peninsula welcomes pooches on or off leads and is commonly used for bonfires and community events. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and you’re welcome to bring food and drinks as long as they are non-alcoholic and not packaged in glass.
Coronado’s dog beach on the north side allows dogs to run leash- free throughout the year. It is often a busy beach when the weather is nice, and the park encourages visitors to come early to get good parking. The beach is also a short walk from area parking, so prepare for a leashed walk before you can have fun on the sandy shore.
A little north of Del Mar, dogs are allowed in the state beach area as long as they are on leashes. The beach is open from sunup to sundown. You may need to pay a small fee for parking, but visitors who prefer to keep their dogs on leashes may prefer this type of environment.
Imperial Beach is home to Petco’s dog surfing competition, a fun activity during the summer. Dogs are allowed here in the beach area of the city, but not along the stretch from Palm Avenue to Imperial Beach Blvd. They must be on leashes that are not more than six feet long.
Things to Remember if You Take Your Dog to the Beach
Off leash and on leash dog beaches are a fun way to give yourself and your dog some exercise. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind whenever you head out for an excursion with your four-legged family member:
Bring bags.
Picking up after your dog is required, but it is also common courtesy. If nobody picked up after their dogs, the beaches would be unusable. Do your part.
Bring fresh water.
Dogs can easily overheat and should not drink saltwater. Bring a water bowl and some fresh water along to make sure you and your pup stay hydrated at the beach.
Consider the walk.
Some of these beaches are easily accessible when you get out of the car, but some are not. Take a look at beach information before you head out.
Check for current registration. Your dog should wear current tags indicating registration and a rabies vaccination. You may also want to bring a paper copy signifying vaccination, just in case.
Be Aware of the behavior of all the dogs around you.
Dog parks can be fun, but sometimes aggressive dogs and aggressive play can turn into something more dangerous. Be aware of the situation so that you can take steps to avoid dog fights and potentially suffering a dog bite (or your dog biting someone else).