Your Ultimate Dog-Friendly Guide to San Diego, CA
Are your travel plans taking you to San Diego? This waterfront city makes traveling with your pet easy due to the many pet-friendly restaurants and activities in San Diego. You can enjoy time on the beach, meals in a beautiful restaurant, and even dedicated dog-friendly park spaces when traveling to this part of California.
Here are some of the best dog-friendly San Diego locations to check out.
Dog-Friendly San Diego Attractions
1. Seaport Village
849 West Harbor DriveSan Diego, CA 92101
Many of the shops and restaurants in Seaport Village accommodate dogs. You can grab a bite to eat and dine while looking at the harbor, shop for treats for your dog, and spend time walking across the waterfront. One of the perks of spending time in Seaport Village is the large grassy area in the park.
You’ll often see dogs and their owners playing here. During your visit take a ride on the historic carousel.
2. Balboa Park
1549 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
When your dog needs time off-leash, visit Balboa Park, which has three separate dog parks. Grape Street Dog Park is the largest dog park of the three and has five full acres of leash-free land. Your dog can play with fellow canines, and you can enjoy some time to sit and relax.
The park has two dog water fountains for convenient hydration. If you need after-dark time, Morley Field Dog Park and Nate’s Point Off-Lease Dog Park are open 24 hours a day.
3. SUP Pups
2592 Laning Road San Diego, CA 92109
If you want to go paddleboarding while in San Diego, SUP Pups will teach you how to do it safely with your dog. With small group lessons, you and your pet will get close attention as you learn how to paddle safely. The lessons teach you how to enjoy the activity with your dog and never force dogs on the board. If you already know how to paddleboard, you can join other paddleboarders for breed-specific meetups. Paddleboard activities take place in the San Diego Bay.
4. Ocean Beach Dog Beach
West Point Loma Boulevard San Diego, CA 92109
Ocean Beach Dog Beach is a place where you can swim and splash with your pet. Leashes aren’t required at this beach, so you can freely play in the surf. The beach is always open, and you will find showers, volleyball areas, and a grassy picnic area nearby. During the day, a lifeguard is on site to help provide protection. The beach is a good spot for surfing, so bring your board and your dog to enjoy this activity together.
5. Next Level Sailing Whale Watching
2050 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA,92106
The San Diego Bay is home to many pods of whales, and Whale Watching San Diego offers tours that will get you close to them.
This tour company welcomes dogs on several of its tours. You’ll sail on a replica of a historic schooner, and you may even get a chance to raise the sail yourself. Make sure to register your pet when you book the tour to ensure there is room for them on the boat.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego
6. Casa de Freds Tacos y Tequila
2470 San Diego Avenue San Diego, CA 92110
At Casa de Freds, you not only can bring your dog, but your dog can order off of a dedicated dog menu. This taco spot is the only dog-friendly restaurant in its neighborhood, and the outdoor patio, which is covered to protect against rain, has quite a bit of room for diners who bring pets.
You will find a number of unique tacos on the menu, such as the cheeseburger taco and the fried zucchini taco, as well as traditional Mexican flavors like steak and fish.
7. The Prado at Balboa Park
1549 El Prado, Suite 12 San Diego, CA 92101
If you’re visiting the dog parks at Balboa Park, you can dine at The Prado. The dishes served here feature flavors from Spain, and you’ll appreciate the Spanish architecture as well. The Prado is in a historic building that was built in 1915 and is a beautiful space.
The Prado has a large outdoor patio where dogs are welcome with their owners. This means you can have an upscale dinner even while traveling with your pet.
8. Bayside Landing
3780 Ingraham Street San Diego, CA 92109
Bayside Landing’s bar has a changing menu of beer, wine, and hard kombuchas, and the food is excellent as well. This Crown Point restaurant serves American food with a twist. If you’re dining with your pet, you’ll pick up your meal at the window counter.
The restaurant has a few outdoor seats as well. Consider dining during happy hour, which is weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm, for discounted drinks.
9. Fig Tree Café
2400 Historic Decatur Road Suite 103 San Diego, CA 92106
Fig Tre Café has three locations throughout San Diego. The menu highlights the culinary scene in California, but with lower prices than many restaurants. The main location is in an old cabin and has a large covered patio for dogs and their owners.
It’s a beautiful restaurant with gardens surrounding the tables, providing an attractive space to grab dinner.
Pet-Friendly San Diego Vacation Rentals
10. Endless Vistas
Endless Vistas welcomes pets and up to 14 guests to a beautiful home in La Jolla Heights. With a private pool and spa-inspired bathrooms, this rental provides resort-style living.
Each of the common areas has tall ceilings to make the space feel even larger. The outdoor living area features a large grassy area for pets as well as a hot tub and pool.
11. Coronado Crown Villas
Coronado Crown Villas houses up to 13 people. This home has bright white décor and plenty of natural light for a clean, attractive vacation property. It has a large outdoor living area with lounges and grills.
You can cook and eat your meal outdoors while your pet plays in the yard. This spacious home is across from the historic Hotel Del Coronado and just minutes from the beach.
As you plan your vacation to San Diego, check out the rentals and advice from our local partners, Bluewater Vacation Homes. You’ll also find beautiful luxury rental homes from them that can make the perfect home base for your trip.
