Dog-friendly beaches in San Diego County
13 of the 28 beaches in San Diego County welcome dogs today. Off-leash all day at Coronado Dog Beach and 1 more. 10 have dog hours that change with the time of day.
Open to dogs now first, then off-leash places and those with a photo.
- 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
- BeachDog BeachOff-leash
BeachCardiff State BeachLeash required
Photo by Bovlb, Public domain, 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
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
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
BeachTorrey Pines State BeachNo dogs
Photo by Francis Lee Original uploader was Phier at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- BeachBuccaneer BeachNo dogs
- BeachGrandview Surf BeachNo dogs
- BeachHarbor BeachNo dogs
- BeachPonto BeachNo dogs
- BeachSaint Malo BeachNo dogs
- BeachSouth Oceanside BeachNo dogs
- BeachSouth PontoNo dogs
- BeachTamarack BeachNo dogs
- BeachThe Dark SideNo dogs
Nearby counties
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.