The Dog-Friendly Guide to Sunny San Diego

California is home to many famous, vacation-worthy towns. From ever-charming Carmel-by-the-Sea and Danish-influenced Solvang to vino-centric Napa and Sonoma and, of course, Beverly Hills, there are so many places worth visiting in the nation’s most populous state. If you want to bring your dog along for the adventure, though, few Cali towns compare to San Diego.

The famously laid-back SoCal beach town welcomes pups with open arms at many of its restaurants, breweries, shopping districts, parks, and hotels — and it’s even home to The Original Dog Beach, the first official off-leash beach in the States. Ready to explore America’s Finest City for yourself? Ahead, find our dog-friendly guide to San Diego to kickstart your itinerary.

Cafes and eateries

San Diego is home to some seriously delectable dog-friendly restaurants. During your stay, be sure to try the city’s famous Baja-style, Cali-Mex cuisine: The California Burrito, which pairs carne asada and traditional fixings with fries, is a must. 

La Puerta 

560 Fourth Ave. 4020 Goldfinch St. @lapuertasd

La Puerta is one of the city’s most popular Mexican restaurants, boasting two locations, both of which feature dog-friendly patios. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner, including the famed California Burrito. 

Sally’s

1 Market Pl. @sallyssandiego

Enjoy Baja-style, waterfront dining with your pooch on the patio at Sally’s, overlooking San Diego Bay. The popular coastal fusion joint offers a fresh, mouth-watering menu of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and entrees, featuring highlights such as grilled octopus, blackened Pacific swordfish, Baja bowls, burgers, and a seafood sampler. 

Breakfast Republic

707 G St. @breakfastrepublic

If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, a stop at the dog-friendly Breakfast Republic is a must. The fan-favorite San Diego restaurant wows with a robust lineup of benedicts, omelets, scrambles, pancakes, and French toast. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. 

Daybreak Island Grill 

2296 Bacon St. @daybreakislandgrill

Daybreak Island Grill also serves breakfast, along with lunch and dinner to follow. The Hawaiian-inspired grill has a menu of sweet and savory dishes, including a Dog Meal that blends Canadian bacon, potato, a farm-fresh egg, minced carrot, and spinach. We love to see it!

Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ

1127 West Morena Blvd. @bullssmokinbbq

Have a hankering for Carolina-style BBQ while in California? Bull’s Smokin’ BBQ will make you want to go back for seconds. The cult-favorite eatery specializes in slow-cooked smoked meats and tantalizing sides, like mac-n-cheese, Bull’s Fries, Bull's Beans, cole slaw, and corn bread. 

Queenstown Public House

1557 Columbia St. @queenstownph

As you may have noticed, San Diego is a bit of a melting pot when it comes to its food scene. Another of the city’s frequented, dog-friendly restaurants is Queenstown Public House, a New Zealand-inspired restaurant that serves brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. FYI: The quirky eatery goes all out for the holidays, making it an especially fun place to dine during the most wonderful time of the year. 

Breweries, wineries, and bars

With happy hour top of mind, we’d be remiss not to mention the many dog-friendly breweries, wineries, and bars within San Diego. Some of the most popular watering holes in the city are as follows. 

Stone Brewing 

2816 Historic Decatur Rd. @stonebrewing

If you like to have lots of options, Stone Brewing will wow you. With 40 craft taps, the popular, dog-friendly brewery is bound to expand your palette. Pups are welcome on the spacious outdoor patio. Think you’ll want to dine while you drink? Stone Brewing recommends making a reservation, as the dining room tables fill up fast.

Ballast Point Brewing

2215 India St. @ballastpointbrewing

Little Italy is one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods. There, you’ll find numerous spectacular Italian restaurants, as well as the dog-friendly Ballast Point Brewing. While walk-ins are welcome, the tasting room, which showcases a rotating menu of seasonal and small-batch brews, recommends booking a reservation to secure a spot if you’re tied to a specific time. 

Societe Brewing

2415 San Diego Ave., Suite 111 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. @societebrewing

Societe Brewing is a local, San Diego-based microbrewery with two locations. Where the Tasting Room is filled with the aroma of freshly brewed beer, given its proximity to the brewhouse, the Old Town Taproom has a more vintage beer hall vibe — plus a dog-friendly patio you’ll most definitely want to check out.

Nolita Hall 

2305 India St. @nolitahall

Nolita Hall is another Little Italy gem with an outdoor patio that welcomes pups. If sipping on unique craft cocktails while nomming on fresh Italian food is your jam, you’ll love this dog-friendly spot. 

Werewolf American Pub

627 Fourth Ave. @werewolfsd

Werewolf American Pub is a Gaslamp staple, known for its next-level boozy brunches. The rowdy bar might be a smidge overwhelming for your pooch, but the pub welcomes them with open arms nonetheless. While Werewolf is renowned for its breakfast items (like pork belly benedict, California burritos, and specialty pancakes) they serve lunch and dinner, too. 

Shops

Whether you want to buy your very good boy or girl a high-quality snack or toy, or treat yourself to some well-deserved SoCal shopping, San Diego delivers with ample dog-friendly shopping. 

Seaport Village

849 W Harbor Dr. @seaport_village

Seaport Village is situated alongside the San Diego Bay, featuring a bevy of restaurants, shops, and walking paths to take in the sights and sounds of the shopping district. While many shops set out water bowls for passing pooches, not all allow them inside, so proceed with care. 

Dexter’s Deli

3773 30th St. @dexters.deli

Dexter’s Deli specializes in natural pet food and treats, plus high-quality toys to engage their senses. 

One Paseo

3725 Paseo Pl. @onepaseo

One Paseo is a popular open-air mall that’s home to various restaurants, salons, clothing stores, and boutique fitness studios, including Postino, Shake Shack, Blue Bottle Coffee, Drybar, Faherty, and SWTHZ. Pups are permitted to walk the premises, so long as they’re leashed. 

Otay Ranch Town Center

2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista @otayranchtowncenter

Otay Ranch Town Center is another open-air mall that welcomes well-behaved, leashed dogs. In addition to dozens of restaurants, clothing stores, decor stores, fitness studios, and salons, Otay Ranch is home to The Barking Spot, a boutique dog grooming shop that sells apparel, accessories, and treats. 

Fashion Valley

7007 Friars Rd. @fashionvalleyca

For higher-end shopping with your pup in tow, head over to Fashion Valley, where stores like Prada, Golden Goose, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin stand at the forefront. Of course, these shops are unlikely to let your pup through the doors, so it’s best to shop on a buddy system; your partner, friend, or family member can trot them around while you enjoy a little shopping spree. 

Westfield UTC

4545 La Jolla Village Dr., Suite E-25 @westfieldutc

For even more pet-friendly shopping, consider Westfield UTC, where pups are permitted in various stores, including Nordstrom, Casper, and Tiffany & Co., just to name a few. In total, the open-air mall has 168 restaurants and shops, so you can certainly make a day of it. 

Balboa Park Cultural District

1549 El Prado @balboapark

Craving more culture than a shopping mall can provide? Balboa Park Cultural District will wow you and your pup. The popular 400-acre section of town is home to various museums, theatres, gardens, and parks, many of which permit dogs. 

Parks and Trails

San Diego is a prime destination for nature-loving doggos, with its various pet-friendly parks and beaches. Some of the most popular options are listed below. 

Ocean Beach Dog Beach (aka The Original Dog Beach)

5156 W. Point Loma Blvd.

San Diego is home to The Original Beach, more commonly known as Ocean Beach. The beloved beach permits off-leash romping, running, and swimming. You’re even likely to see dogs surfing, as the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon is held here every year; it just celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Grape Street Dog Park

1998 28th St.

If your dog isn’t a fan of water, take them to Grape Street Dog Park at Balboa Park, where they can run off-leash across five expansive acres. 

Morley Field Dog Park

2225 Morley Field Drive

Morley Field Dog Park is another of Balboa Park’s grassy dog parks. Dogs are allowed to romp and play off leash, but must be re-leashed if embarking on the adjoining Florida Canyon Nature Trails. Uniquely, this dog park is open 24/7.  

Nate’s Point Off-Leash Dog Park

2500 Balboa Dr.

Nate’s Point is also open 24/7 and exists within Balboa Park. Just over two acres, the park offers plenty of space for dogs of all sizes to run free. 

Fiesta Island

1590 E. Mission Bay Dr.

Heading back out on the water, Fiesta Island is an expansive park situated within Mission Bay. Pups (and horses!) are welcome to roam free. 

Coronado Dog Beach

200-298 Ocean Blvd.

For stunning views of the Pacific and the iconic Coronado Del Mar, head to Coronado Dog Beach, where pups are allowed to enjoy the sand, sun, and surf off-leash, year-round. 

Del Mar Dog Beach 

3902 29th St.

As stunning as Coronado Dog Beach is, it can get pretty crowded. For a slightly less chaotic waterside experience with your pooch, head north to Del Mar Dog Beach. It’s a popular spot among locals, but often draws fewer visitors given it’s 20 minutes outside of San Diego. 

Hotels

With so much to do and see with your pup in San Diego, booking a hotel for the night, weekend, or week is totally justifiable. Thankfully, there are plenty of pooch-friendly options to choose from. Our favorites are listed below. 

Pendry San Diego

550 J St. @pendrysandiego

Pendry is one of the most pet-friendly hotel chains around. At Pendry San Diego, pups are greeted with bowls, beds, and treats, while people can look forward to swanky accommodations you’ll most definitely want to snap for the ‘gram. And since it’s located in the Gaslamp Quarter, there’s plenty of entertainment mere steps from the hotel. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $100 per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Kona Kai San Diego 

1551 Shelter Island Dr. @konakairesortsd

For a more laidback-luxe waterfront getaway, Kona Kai San Diego awaits. The dog-friendly Shelter Island resort is situated on 11 acres of tropical gardens overlooking a private beach and marina. The property goes above and beyond for pups, with a dog menu at the on-site Vessel Restaurant + Bar and a Spa + Paws services menu at SpaTerre.

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $100 for up to three nights; $150 for four to seven nights

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs up to 65 pounds

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Hotel del Coronado

1500 Orange Ave. @delcoronado

Hotel del Coronado is a sight to behold from the beach and surrounding area, but it’s even more spectacular when you get to book a room and experience the world-renowned accommodations for yourself. Presidents, royals, and celebrities have stayed within its historic Victorian architecture, and as of 2025, your pup can, too! They’ll even be greeted with treats. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $150 per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs up to 40 pounds (Pit Bulls, Pit Mixes, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Chows, and Chow mixes are not permitted)

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine

3777 La Jolla Village Drive @hyattregencylajolla

If you prefer to stay on the outskirts, booking a room at the modern-luxe Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine is a solid choice. The property is situated roughly 25 minutes outside of downtown San Diego, and 15 minutes from La Jolla Cove, where you and your leashed dog can stroll and see sea lions in their natural habitat. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $125 for one to six nights; an additional $100 deep-cleaning fee applies for stays of seven nights or longer

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs up to 50 pounds; combined weight cannot exceed 75 pounds

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

L’Auberge Del Mar

1540 Camino Del Mar @laubergedelmar

Moving a smidge further north, you’ll find the stunning L’Auberge Del Mar, a dog-friendly luxury resort overlooking the ocean. With on-site dining, a fitness center, pools, and a spa, you may very well want to hole up with your pup at this pristine Pacific retreat located just outside San Diego. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $200 per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs up to 75 pounds

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.