San Diego is known to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in America. With mild weather all year long, San Diego has many outdoor activities that you can enjoy with your pup. To help you get started exploring these places, here is a list of the top things to do in San Diego with your dog:
Table of Contents
Eat and drink with your pup
Eating one of San Diego’s favorite pastimes…luckily there are an endless amount of dog-friendly restaurants in this city so you can bring your furry friend along with you. Some permit dogs in their outdoor seating areas, while others have special sun decks or other dedicated spaces for them.
A lot of these restaurants will bring out dog treats and some even go so far as to have whole doggy menus. Before you head out, find out if the restaurant has a “yappy hour,” with special deals and treats your dog will love, and plan accordingly.
Stroll around Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a canine paradise. This cultural park is the perfect place to take your furry friend for a relaxing stroll. With its diverse mix of nature, art, and history, both you and your pooch will have plenty to see. The park’s extensive trail system provides miles of paths to explore, and the off-leash areas are great spots for your pup to socialize and play.
There’s even a dog-friendly café, where you can grab a cup of coffee while your dog enjoys a complimentary biscuit! The park is also home to several beautiful gardens – though dogs aren’t allowed in some of them, there are plenty of others where leashed dogs are welcome.
Balboa Park is a favorite among local dog owners; its welcoming atmosphere and diverse offerings make it a must-visit for anyone seeking dog-friendly activities in San Diego.
Bring Your Pup to the Ball Park
Are you a Padres fan? Did you know that your dog can be too? Petco Park, which is the home stadium of the Padres, features multiple viewing areas known as “Barkyards” located in the left-center field section. These spots offer a chance for you and your furry companion to enjoy a delightful afternoon while catching a game.
And you won’t have to worry about your dog’s comfort either, even if the game goes into extra innings. Petco Park has a pet drinking fountain, and the Barkyard areas have umbrellas for shade and special artificial turf that won’t burn your pup’s paws even on hot summer days. Find out more about bringing your pup to the Padres games here.
LET’S GO PADRES!
Wine Tasting
Yes, you read that right. You and your dog can go wine tasting together….WINE not. Your pup can enjoy the scenery at the winery while you sip on your glass of wine.
There are a bunch of San Diego wineries that will let you take your dog with you when you come in for a wine tasting. Not all of these wineries advertise this on their websites, so it’s a good idea to call any winery you want to visit to ask about their policy on dogs.
Enjoy a day at the beach
San Diego has amazing beaches… but it also has amazing DOG BEACHES! Dogs really love the beach and sand.. with all the sand dunes for romping around on and beaches for swimming, your dog can have fun there for hours. Also, with all the other dogs there, it’s a great place to get some canine socializing time in. We have a full list of the dog-friendly beaches in San Diego so make sure you know which beaches permit dogs.
Beach days can be exhausting, don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch for yourself, some treats for your dog, and spend some time relaxing while your dog spends some time burning off their extra energy.
Do some doggy water sports
Is your dog a water love like your? There are a lot of opportunities for you and your dog to get out on the bay and have some fun together.
There are whale watching trips that welcome dogs, stand-up paddleboarding for pups and their humans, dog-friendly cruises around the bay, and more. And yes, there are lifejackets that are made for dogs.
Take a Hike
Hiking is as much of the San Diego culture as burritos and surfing. There are hiking trails that do not permit animals, but you can find plenty that do.
The trail running along the Batiquitos Lagoon has a lot of natural splendor, for example. It’s also a great place to go bird watching. The trails in Sunset Cliffs Natural Park will take you to all kinds of incredible vantage points. There are a lot of other good trails, too.
Just put your pup on a leash and head out to take in some natural wonder while getting a little exercise in as well. It’s important to be mindful of the distance of the hike and the weather conditions, especially when bringing dogs along as they can easily hike to the point of exhaustion.
Doggy Spa Day
There are a lot of places around the city where you can take your pooch for a day of pampering. If your dog loves the attention
Doggie showers, hair styling, nail care, and more will have your dog looking their best and feeling on top of the world. After all, any dog will love that kind of prolonged attention and care.
Dog Parks
Of course, San Diego also has several dog parks where you can bring your canine companion for some off-leash running around time. Read our article for the best dog parks in San Diego here.
It’s a great place to go to play fetch and also let your dog have an opportunity to socialize with other dogs. It’s also a great way to let your dog get some exercise without you having to get some exercise, too.
