Beach Time for You and Your dog

Along the beach shoreline and Mission Bay, the City of San Diego has two designated leash-free exercise areas for dogs. Dogs are allowed at Dog Beach and on Fiesta Island. Dogs are restricted at other beach and bay locations.

These restrictions do not apply to service animals, as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines a service animal as any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

General Guidelines for Dog Owners

In general, dogs are allowed on beaches after 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31 or after 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31. Licensed dogs are allowed on the beach, and on sidewalks and park areas near the beach, during the night and early morning hours until 9 a.m., but they must be leashed.

Whenever you take your dog to the beach, you must be prepared to pick up after your pet. You must clean up after your dog at leashed or unleashed areas. It is unlawful to leave refuse of any type on our beaches.

It is illegal to allow a dog to defecate on public property, and San Diego Municipal Code, Sec 44.0304.1 requires a person to immediately remove any feces to a proper trash receptacle. Failure to do this is a violation of the law. Only unsighted people with guide dogs are exempt from this code section.

Our beaches are fragile, and keeping them unspoiled is everybody's job. Doing your part keeps our beaches clean and beautiful, the way you and others like them and ensures a pleasant visit again and again.

For other questions or concerns, please use the Ask Parks web comment form.