San Diego’s Dog Friendly Places

Having a dog is undoubtedly one of the best experiences you could have. There’s a reason we call them “man’s best friend.” Finding a place to let your dog run leash-free is quite easy when you live in San Diego.

Please understand that when taking your dog for a walk in any public location (including trails) that you must have the dog on a leash of no more than eight feet. This is to protect your dog from a number of dangers, including rattlesnakes.

When taking your dog to a leash free facility, wait to remove him or her from the leash until you are inside the fenced-in area designated to be leash free. Also make sure that the dog has up to date vaccinations and that he or she is wearing a current license on the collar.

Designated Leash Free Locations:

Balboa Park has 2 leash free locations available 24 hours per day: Nate’s point located on Balboa Dr at El Prado, and Morely Field, northwest of the tennis courts.

Capehart Park, located at the corner of Felspar and Soledad has a one acre park with two different fenced areas (one for large dogs, one for small dogs) as well as areas for serving water, picnic tables, benches, and parking – it is available 24 hours a day.

Dog Beach – Located in Ocean Beach on Voltaire Street is one of the only beaches to provide leash free access on the beach 24 hours a day.

Grape Street Park is an unfenced leash-free facility available from 7:30am to 9:00pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00am to 9:00pm weekends and holidays.

Kearny Mesa Community Park is available from 6:30am to 10:00pm every day. There is a water station so your thirsty pup can catch a drink, as well as a fountain for you. Avoid this park unless you can walk to it, as it shares parking with the nearby Mesa College.

Maddox Neighborhood Park offers just more than half of an acre of turf, a walkway and a drinking fountain. It’s located at 7815 Flanders Street.

Rancho Bernardo Park, located at 18448 West Bernardo Drive has 2 and a half acres of leash free space and has dedicated parking for users of the dog park.

You may also take your dog to any of the beaches in San Diego if he or she is on a leash. The designated hours are as follows:

April 1^st through October 31^st: Dogs may be on the beach from 6:00pm until 9:00am, but they must remain leashed.

From November 1^st to March 31^st dogs are permitted on the beach from 4:00pm until 9:00am

All dogs on public beaches must be leased, vaccinated, and they must have currently active tags on their collar.

As with all public locations, it is essential to clean up after your dog immediately after he does his business. The only exception to this rule is the visually impaired with guide dogs.

There are many more dog friendly places than listed in this article. Get out there and meet fellow dog owners and find out what other parks they frequent!

This is a series of articles by Sharyn and Victoria Crown, Downtown San Diego real estate agents.