Dog-friendly beaches, parks and trails in San Diego County
San Diego County has 184 places in our guide; 156 of them welcome dogs today, 81 of them off-leash. Here are the ones to start with.
Open to dogs now first, then off-leash places and those with a photo.
Dog parkNate's Point Dog ParkOff-leash
Photo by RightCowLeftCoast, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Dog parkAlga Norte Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkAnn D. L'Heureux Memorial Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkCanine Corners Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkCapehart ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkCentrum Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkCivita Dog ParkOff-leash
- BeachCoronado Dog BeachOff-leash
- BeachDel Mar Dog BeachOff-leash (hour limits)Off-leash: Jun 16 to Labor Day, dawn-8 a.m.; Leash required: Jun 16 to Labor Day; Off-leash: Other timesLeash required from Jun 16, 2027
- Dog parkDel Sur dog parkOff-leash
- Dog parkDeputy Lonnie G Brewer County ParkOff-leash
- BeachDog BeachOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Berry Street ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Borrego Springs County ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Charles Lewis III Memorial ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Childrens ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Lamar County ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at MontevalleOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Nobel Athletic AreaOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at North Park Community ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Stylus ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Sunset ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at The Back PorchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Torrey Highlands ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park at Waterfront ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in 4S RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in 4S RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Borrego SpringsOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in CarlsbadOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in CarlsbadOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Castle ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Downtown San DiegoOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in EncinitasOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Johnstown, LakesideOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Otay RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Otay RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Otay RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Pacific Highlands RanchOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Rancho BernardoOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in Sun Ridge VistaOff-leash
- Dog parkDog park in University CityOff-leash
- Dog parkDoyle Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkDusty Rhodes Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkFiddler's Cove Dog RunOff-leash
- Dog parkFiesta Island Dog ParkOff-leash (hour limits)No dogs: 10 p.m.-4 a.m.; Off-leash: Other times
- Dog parkFour Gee County Park Leash Free Dog AreaOff-leash
- Dog parkGompers Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkGrape Street Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkGreen BeltOff-leash
- Dog parkHollandia Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkImperial Beach Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkKearny Mesa Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkLas Palmas Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkLittle Italy Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkMaddox Neighborhood Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkMaggie Houlihan Memorial Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkMarlado Highlands Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkMast Dog ParkOff-leash (hour limits)No dogs: dusk-dawn; Off-leash: Other times
- Dog parkMeanley Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkMorley Field Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkOrion Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkPacific Highlands Ranch Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkPoinsettia Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkPoway Dog ParkOff-leash (hour limits)No dogs: 10 p.m.-sunrise; Off-leash: Other times
- Dog parkRancho Penãsquitos Linear Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkRb Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkRohr Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkSan Elijo Hills Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkThe Society Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkTorrey Hills Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkTown Center Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkUTC Mall Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkWard Canyon Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkWells Dog ParkOff-leash
- Dog parkWoodglen Dog ParkOff-leash
ParkAmici ParkLeash required
Photo by Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkBalboa ParkLeash required
Photo by Antoine Taveneaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkBerry Street ParkLeash required
Photo by KurtM88, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkBlack Mountain Open Space ParkLeash required
Photo by Ocatecir at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachCardiff State BeachLeash required
Photo by Bovlb, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
ParkChildrens ParkLeash required
Photo by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkDoyle Community ParkLeash required
Photo by JiriMatejicek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkHeritage ParkLeash required
Photo by Lonnez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachLa Jolla CoveLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
Photo by Invertzoo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
TrailLake Poway TrailLeash required
Photo by Laurens R. Krol, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkLos Peñasquitos Canyon PreserveLeash required
Photo by Wilson44691, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
TrailMount Woodson TrailLeash required
Photo by chrisinphilly5448, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkNorth Park Community ParkLeash required
BeachOcean BeachLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
Photo by Alen Ištoković, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkPacific Highlands Ranch Community ParkLeash required
Photo by RightCowLeftCoast, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkPatriot ParkLeash required
Photo by Lonnez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkRancho Bernardo Community ParkLeash required
Photo by Lonnez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkScripps Ranch Community ParkLeash required
Photo by Lonnez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkSilverset ParkLeash required
Photo by Lonnez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkSouth Creek ParkLeash required
Photo by Rebeccamarie22, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
ParkWaterfront ParkLeash required
Photo by Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachWindansea BeachLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
Photo by RightCowLeftCoast, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachWipeout BeachLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
Photo by JiriMatejicek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- TrailBattle TrailLeash required
- BeachBessemer BeachLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
- ParkBorrego Springs County ParkLeash required
- BeachBreakers BeachLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
- ParkCarmel Mountain PreserveLeash required
- ParkCentrum ParkLeash required
- ParkCharles Lewis III Memorial ParkLeash required
- ParkCypress Canyon ParkLeash required
- ParkDusty Rhodes ParkLeash required
- TrailErnie Pantoja Memorial TrailLeash required
- ParkFault Line ParkLeash required
- ParkFelicita County ParkLeash required
- TrailFlinn Springs Overlook TrailLeash required
- ParkFour Gee County ParkLeash required
- ParkGird Valley PreserveLeash required
- ParkGompers ParkLeash required
- BeachHermosa Terrace ParkLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
- ParkHilltop Community ParkLeash required
- ParkKearny Mesa Recreation CenterLeash required
- ParkLamar County ParkLeash required
- ParkMaddox ParkLeash required
- TrailMeadow LoopLeash required
- TrailNature Trail LoopLeash required
- ParkNobel Athletic AreaLeash required
- TrailNorth Clevenger Canyon TrailLeash required
- ParkOptimist ParkLeash required
- ParkPark in Pacific SerenaLeash required
- ParkPark in VerrazanoLeash required
- ParkPeñasquitos Town Center Neighborhood ParkLeash required
- TrailPowerhouse Canyon TrailLeash required
- BeachScripps Coastal ReserveLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
- BeachSmuggler's CoveLeash required (hour limits)No dogs: Apr 1 – Oct 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; No dogs: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Leash required: Other times
- ParkSpring Canyon Neighborhood ParkLeash required
- ParkStonebridge ParkLeash required
- TrailSumac TrailLeash required
- ParkTorrey Highlands ParkLeash required
- ParkTorrey Highlands ParkLeash required
- ParkViews West ParkLeash required
- ParkWard Canyon ParkLeash required
- ParkWells ParkLeash required
- TrailWildflower LoopLeash required
- ParkWoodland ParkLeash required
- ParkCadencia ParkDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- TrailCañon Street TrailDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkElement ParkDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkEncinitas Viewpoint ParkDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkLos Jilgueros PreserveDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkMulberry ParkDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkMurray Mission ParkDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkPark in OceansideDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkPark in VerrazanoDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- ParkPark in VerrazanoDogs allowedLeash rule not stated
- Dog parkDog park near OceansideOff-leashA guess from the name
- Dog parkDog Run @ Fault LineOff-leashA guess from the name
- Dog parkMayflower Dog ParkOff-leashA guess from the name
- Dog parkMontiel Dog ParkOff-leashA guess from the name
- Dog parkOceanside Dog ParkOff-leashA guess from the name
- Dog parkVeridian Dog ParkOff-leashA guess from the name
BeachBlack's BeachNo dogs
Photo by Jaybeatle, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
BeachBoomer BeachNo dogs
Photo by Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachChildren's Pool BeachNo dogs
Photo by microsome, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachCoronado BeachNo dogs
Photo by Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachLeucadia State BeachNo dogs
TrailOceanside PierNo dogs
Photo by Jack Gisel jackgisel, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
BeachTorrey Pines State BeachNo dogs
Photo by Francis Lee Original uploader was Phier at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- ParkAlga Norte Community ParkNo dogs
- TrailAzalea Glen TrailNo dogs
- BeachBuccaneer BeachNo dogs
- TrailCactus Loop TrailNo dogs
- BeachGrandview Surf BeachNo dogs
- BeachHarbor BeachNo dogs
- TrailMarsh TrailNo dogs
- TrailOctillo Ridge TrailNo dogs
- TrailPanoramic Overlook TrailNo dogs
- ParkPark in LakeviewNo dogs
- ParkPoinsettia ParkNo dogs
- BeachPonto BeachNo dogs
- BeachSaint Malo BeachNo dogs
- BeachSouth Oceanside BeachNo dogs
- BeachSouth PontoNo dogs
- TrailStore TrailNo dogs
- BeachTamarack BeachNo dogs
- BeachThe Dark SideNo dogs
- Trailto Marsh TrailNo dogs
- ParkTorrey Meadows Neighborhood ParkNo dogs
- TrailYaqui Well Nature TrailNo dogs
Nearby counties
Towns in San Diego County
How we knowThe agencies that set dog rules here, and what each one says
- City of San DiegoLeash in city parks, no dogs on beaches by day, off leash at Dog Beach and Fiesta Island.28 places here
- California State ParksLeash 6 ft in campgrounds, picnic areas and lots. No dogs on beaches and trails unless posted.6 places here
- City of CarlsbadNo dogs in city parks or on city beaches, except dog parks.4 places here
- County of San DiegoLeash up to 6 ft in County parks. Off leash in County dog parks.4 places here
- City of OceansideNo dogs on the public beach at any time.4 places here
- City of EncinitasNo dogs on city beaches. Off-leash hours at Viewpoint Park.2 places here
- City of CoronadoNo dogs in parks or on beaches, except five leash parks and Dog Beach.1 place here
- City of Del MarSeasonal rules for North, Main and South Beach.1 place here
- City of El CajonLeash in city parks. Off leash at Wells Park's leash-free area.1 place here
- Helix Water DistrictOff leash at Canine Corners Dog Park.1 place here
- City of Imperial BeachLeash law. Off leash at Imperial Beach Dog Park.1 place here
- City of Lemon GroveLeash up to 6 ft in city parks.1 place here
- City of PowayOff leash at Poway Dog Park, sunrise to 10 p.m.1 place here
- City of SanteeOff leash in designated off-leash areas. Mast Dog Park dawn to dusk.1 place here
- OpenStreetMapWhere no agency rule is on file, the dog tags people add to the map.122 places here
- Inferred from the place's nameNo source states a rule; the place's name suggests one.6 places here
Rules that cover places here
- City of Chula Vista dog rulesLeash law: dogs on a leash in public (no length set).11 places here
- City of Escondido dog rulesDogs only where a permit or sign allows, then leashed.1 place here
- City of National City dog rulesLeash law: up to 6 ft (not verified).1 place here
- City of San Marcos dog rulesLeash law: up to 6 ft.6 places here
Check posted signs. They are the rule on site. This guide restates published rules and OpenStreetMap data, which can be out of date or incomplete. It is not legal advice.
County boundary: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary file, 2025 (public domain). A place belongs to the county that holds its point on the map.