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10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in & Near Vista, CA to Visit in 2026

dog off leash playing at the park

Vista is known for its stunning views and mild Mediterranean climate. It’s perfect for taking your pup to a dog park! With such an abundance of fantastic dog parks in the area, it can be tricky to pinpoint which are the best.

We sniffed out 10 of these pup paradises in and around the City of Vista, with hotspots in nearby Carlsbad, San Marcos, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, and Temecula to keep you and your pup having fun in the sun. Read on to discover 10 off-leash parks where your dog can run around and socialize with other canines!

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The 10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in & Near Vista, CA

1.  South Buena Vista Dog Park

️ Address: 1602 Mountain Pass Cir, Vista, CA
Open Times: 7:00 AM–8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • 15-acre park that is not fenced in
  • A playground for kids is featured but fenced off
  • Plenty of benches available but only a few water fountains
  • No poop bags available
  • Bathroom facilities are available with a separate picnic and pavilion

2. Poinsettia Dog Park, Carlsbad

️ Address: 6600 Hidden Valley Rd, Carlsbad, CA
Open Times: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Features a shaded entry plaza and a mixed social area
  • Large and small dog areas are segregated, with agility equipment in each area
  • Many drinking fountains for people and dogs
  • Benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and poop bags are available
  • Restrooms are available in the park, and on-site parking is close

3. Alga Norte Dog Park, Carlsbad

️ Address: 6565 Alicante Rd, Carlsbad, CA
Open Times: 8:00 AM–10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Both large and small dog areas are available
  • Poop bag dispensers are present alongside plenty of trash bins
  • Both areas feature agility equipment
  • Benches and doggy water fountains are placed throughout
  • Shaded areas and picnic tables on site

4. Montiel Park, San Marcos

️ Address:  2290 Montiel Rd, San Marcos, CA
Open Times: 7:00 AM–09:00 PM Monday and Tuesday, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM Wednesday, 7:00 AM–9:00 PM Thursday–Sunday
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Well-maintained turf lines the dog park, which is fenced off from the main park
  • A water spigot is available at the entrance
  • Mixed park with no separate areas for small/large dogs
  • Several trees for shade
  • Portable restrooms only

5. Redhawk Community Park, Temecula

️ Address: 44747 Redhawk Pkwy, Temecula, CA
Open Times: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Three areas available for dogs of all sizes
  • Lots of water fountains and poop bag dispensers available
  • Benches and plenty of shade keep owners comfortable
  • Ample parking is available close to the dog park
  • Picnic tables and a large open field are also available

6. Hollandia Park, San Marcos

️ Address: 12 Mission Hills Ct, San Marcos, CA
Open Times: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Separate, fenced-off small and large dog areas
  • Dirt flooring so dogs might get muddy and dusty
  • Leashes are mandatory when entering and exiting the dog park
  • Dog water fountains and a dog rinsing station are available
  • Has poop bags, benches, and trash cans

7.  Maggie Houlihan Memorial Park, Encinitas

️ Address: 2975 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA
Open Times: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM, closed Thursdays 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Stunningly designed dog park with 2 acres of land
  • Closed on Thursdays from 1 PM to 3 PM for maintenance
  • Three areas for dogs
  • Restrooms and poop bags available, plenty of trash receptacles
  • Obstacle courses and agility equipment available

8. Mayflower Dog Park, Escondido

️ Address: 3420 Valley Center Rd, Escondido, CA
Open Times: Monday–Wednesday 6:00 AM–9:00 PM, Thursday 6:00 AM–7:30 AM and 11:00 AM–09:00 PM, Friday-Sunday 6:00 AM–9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, in designated off-leash area
  • Fenced-in, grassy park with 1 ½ acres of space
  • Small, medium, and large dog areas available
  • Benches available for owners to rest on in all sections
  • Closed from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursdays

9. Fallbrook Dog Park, Fallbrook

️ Address: 2746 Reche Rd, Fallbrook, CA
Open Times: 8:00 AM–05:00 PM
Cost: Free (parking $3 per day)
Off-Leash: Yes
  • Plenty of mature Oak trees provide shade
  • Several water fountains for dogs and people available
  • Parking is close to the dog park
  • Only four dogs per person are allowed in the park
  • Lots of poop bins available at the park, with poop bags provided

10. Orpheus Park, Encinitas

️ Address: 482 Orpheus Ave, Encinitas, CA
Open Times: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Off-Leash: Yes, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
  • Off-leash only on designated days, strictly leashed at all other times
  • Ocean views from the dog park are second to none
  • Grassy, fenced-in area for all sizes of dogs
  • Water fountains for dogs and people are provided throughout
  • No puppies under 4 months are allowed

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Conclusion

We hope you found some hidden (and not-so-hidden) dog park gems in Vista and the surrounding area. Many of the parks mentioned have a full complement of facilities and comforts to keep you and your pup happy, and all of the parks have designated off-leash areas for your dog to let loose in.

We hope you enjoy visiting these dog parks and add more canine-certified fun spots to your adventure list.


Featured Image: Jumpstory

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