10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Diego, CA to Visit in 2026
San Diego is a wonderful city for dogs and humans. It has perfect weather year-round and plenty of dog-friendly businesses and beaches.
San Diego has a few designated dog beaches where dogs can run off-leash all day. The city also has beaches where leashed dogs are allowed at certain times of the day. Here are some of the best dog beaches in San Diego and the surrounding areas you can visit with your dog.
Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Diego, CA
1. Ocean Beach Dog Beach
| ️ Address: | Ocean Beach Bike Path, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, from 4:00 AM to 2:00 AM |
- Large beach without fences
- Parking lot and nearby street parking available
- Can get crowded with large dogs on the weekends
- Grassy picnic area nearby across the parking lot
- Restrooms and showers for people nearby, but no wash station for dogs
2. Coronado Beach & Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 100 Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, from 6:00 AM to sunset |
- Located northwest of Coronado Beach
- Free parking available in surrounding streets
- Many dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and shops nearby
3. Fiesta Island Dog Park
| ️ Address: | 1750 Fiesta Island Rd, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
- Dog beach is located at the west end of the San Diego River Floodway
- Tends to have gentler waves than other local beaches
- Firework shows occur nearby, so make sure to check schedules before going
4. Del Mar North Beach
| ️ Address: | 3902 29th St, Del Mar, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes, during the off-season |
- Off-leash dogs are allowed all day during the off-season from the day after Labor Day to June 15
- Off-leash dogs are allowed during summer from dawn to 8:00 AM from June 16 to Labor Day
- Dogs must remain leashed outside of off-leash hours, and the leash must be less than 6 feet long
5. La Jolla Cove
| ️ Address: | 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- City of San Diego beach rules allow leashed dogs before 9:00 AM and after 6:00 PM from April to October
- City of San Diego beach rules allow leashed dogs to be on the beach after 4:00 PM from November to March
- Free parking is available nearby
- Many dogs enjoy walking on the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail located nearby
6. Pacific Beach
| ️ Address: | 4667 Ocean Blvd, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk during the same hours as the beach hours
- Dog rules are heavily enforced, and people are very likely to be ticketed for not following them
- Make sure to bring your own doggy bags
7. Mission Beach
| ️ Address: | 3000 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Leashed dogs are allowed on nearby walking trails and Ocean Front Walk
- Located near many tourist attractions
- Many dog-friendly hotels and vacation rentals nearby
8. Kellogg Beach
| ️ Address: | McCall St & San Antonio Ave, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Dogs are allowed to walk around Shelter Island Shoreline Park during the same hours as beach hours
- Beach is fairly quiet and used mostly by locals
- Quiet dog-friendly trail located nearby
- No extra amenities are available, so make sure to bring doggy bags and water
9. Imperial Beach
| ️ Address: | 825 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Leashed dogs are allowed to walk Imperial Beach Shoreline Trail
- Dogs aren’t allowed on the pier and area between Imperial Beach Boulevard and Palm Avenue
- Beach can get crowded with surfers during the winter
10. Ski Beach Park
| ️ Address: | 1600 Vacation Dr, San Diego, CA |
| Open Times: | Year-round with City of San Diego beach rules |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | No |
- Grassy areas with picnic tables nearby
- Family-friendly and popular location for water sports
- Two large parking lots nearby
- Fireworks shows can happen at night, so make sure to check schedules before bringing your dog
Conclusion
San Diego is a relatively dog-friendly city. You can plan fun beach days at the designated dog beaches or enjoy peaceful morning or evening walks during the beaches’ dog-friendly hours. Since most beaches don’t have amenities for dogs, make sure to bring doggy bags, water, and towels.
Following the rules and picking up after your dog will ensure you and your dog have a fun and safe time at the beach. It’ll also continue to allow San Diego to have dog-friendly beach hours.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: amfroey, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends bigger part of her day researching and writing while her furry companion Cavapoo, Nora, snoozes beside her. She loves dogs, pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the strong connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that pet owners can use to better understand their beloved pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plants, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
