The majority of dogs seem to really enjoy the beach! Lucky for us, we live in Southern California where beaches are pretty easy to access. Here is a quick run down of some of the best dog friendly beaches that San Diego has to offer.
San Diego is known for being dog-friendly, whether it be restaurants, beaches, you name it. They just love dogs! I absolutely love planning beach days with my friends and their dogs, because it is a great way to get the dogs moving and socializing. Not to mention, the beach pictures always turn out great.
Ocean Beach in San Diego
Ocean Beach is home to the ORIGINAL dog beach. It can be found at West Point Loma Blvd and Voltaire St. This is one of the first leash-free beaches in the nation, and allows off-leash frolicking during any time of the year! Dog Beach in OB has a large parking lot, as well as street parking. This beach is really great for humans too. There are lifeguards on duty and the water is great for swimming and surfing. Ocean Beach is a prime spot to see some dogs surfing! If you did not think this beach could get better, there is a grassy picnic area near the parking lot.
Coronado Beach and Coronado Island Dog Park
Next up, and a little farther south, is Coronado Beach and Dog Park on Coronado Island! This wide beach stretches for almost 2 miles and the dog specific beach is located at the northern point at 100 Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118. This section of the beach is leash free all year long, which is perfect for the perfect California weather. If you have a pup that loves to roam, this is the beach for you! Since it is the northernmost section of the beach, it is safely set away from the roads of Coronado. Coronado Beach is typically open 24 hours a day, which is great for those long summer days and bonfire evenings with friends. Even better, parking is free on the street. For those that want to make it a ~weekend~, Coronado is largely dog friendly and has plenty of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and shops!
Del Mar Dog Beach
Del Mar Dog Beach has to be my personal favorite because of how pretty it is. Del Mar’s North Beach is affectionately known as Del Mar Dog Beach, as it is the only beach of the Del Mar city beaches that allows dogs to run around off leash. This long stretch of beach runs from 29th street all the way up to Solana Beach. Dogs are permitted off leash in all months, except from June 16th until Labor Day. After Labor Day, they are permitted on the beach, but they must be on leash. This beach is located at 3200 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, where there is both metered and unmetered street parking. The flat stretches of beach are home to volleyball courts and a calm stretch of lagoon. These calm, shallow waters are perfect for smaller dogs, older dogs and children who want to wade in the water. The main beach typically has small waves, where bigger dogs can swim, fetch and run along the water! There is also a walking trail and a beach overlook! This is the perfect beach for a long beach trip. I recommend that you bring a canopy and picnic supplies, and let your pups splash around all day long!
Don’t Forget!
Each beach has their own rules and guidelines, but here are a few general reminders for bringing your pup to the beach:
Always clean up after your pet! Some beaches have dog waste areas, but err on the side of caution and bring your own doggy poop bags.
Make sure your dog is vaccinated. Do not bring a puppy to the beach until they have finished all rounds of vaccinations. Additionally, make sure your older dogs are up to date in their shots as well. The beach can be a dangerous place for unvaccinated dogs, because of the intense exposure to other dogs and bacteria.
Identification. Make sure your dog has some sort of ID tag on its collar and/or harness. We wouldn’t want them to get lost!
Please check current COVID guidelines for the most updated beach hours and information. Some beaches are discouraging people from coming, and others are limiting parking spaces.
We LOVE getting your fun, beachy dog pics! Share with us your best beach moments and tell us what some of your favorite dog friendly outdoor spots are!