Traveling to San Diego with a dog was surprisingly smooth and easy. I was a little worried that my boyfriend, Matt, and I weren't going to be able to explore the city as much, but we were wrong. Visiting San Diego with our beagle, Stella, allowed us to see more of the town. There were countless pet-friendly adventures and fantastic restaurants to check out. We wished we had more time to experience them all!

If you're planning a road trip with your four-legged companions to San Diego, be sure to read on. I've narrowed the list down to six activities and places we've most enjoyed. I also included information about where we stayed.

1. Play fetch at the Dog Beach 

The number one activity we were most looking forward to doing was taking Stella to Dog Beach. Located at the west end of Voltaire St., this off-leash dog beach is the ultimate paradise for pets and animal lovers. It had a gorgeous view of the bay, friendly pups, and plenty of room for fetch! Just be prepared to get woken up with dog kisses while sunbathing. There were so many adorable ones who stopped by our setup to say hello.

Address: Dog Beach, San Diego, CA 92109



Things your dog needs: 

• Dog booties (for the hot sand)

• A long leash

• Any toy you can play fetch with (I recommend a Chuckit!)

• Dog bowl

• Water

• Snacks

• Towel

• Umbrella

2. Visit Sunset Cliff Natural Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park was a must-see! It is a pet-friendly park with a network of trails, which makes it a top travel adventure for you and your dog. The sight of the waves crashing into the cliffs was breathtaking. Just be sure to keep your dogs on a leash at all times since there are some significant drop-offs. Also, bring doggy bags to clean up any messes.

Address: Ladera St, San Diego, CA 92107

3. Get food and drinks at Ocean Beach restaurants

There are over 20 dog-friendly restaurants and bars in Ocean Beach. We had dinner and drinks at The Ocean Beach Brewery. It's a 3-story building, and it has a magnificent view of the city! We sure enjoyed watching yet another sunset from their rooftop. Plus, Stella was pumped that she got to sit with us on the couch. Ok, Matt and I were excited. She was just happy to be laying down since she had a long day at the beach.

Address: 5041 Newport Ave

Here are other highly-recommended restaurants:

• Voltaire Beach house - 4934 Voltaire St

• OB Surf Lodge - 5083 Santa Monica Ave

• Raglan Public House - 1851 Bacon St

• Daybreak Island Grill - 2296 Bacon St

4. Spend an afternoon at North Beach and Hotel del Coronado

Voted one of America's most beautiful beaches, this "Crown City" is a jewel of San Diego. Coronado Beach is filled with fun activities and picturesque views. Of course, there's a designated beach for the pups to play called North Beach. 

 Address: Ocean Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118

We first stopped at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a must-see for all San Diego visitors. It's an architectural masterpiece and has the most stunning seaside setting. We enjoyed walking along its boardwalk while listening to live music. Also, there were many bars and restaurants to get refreshing drinks along the beach. The atmosphere was amazing. 

Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

For lunch, we headed to a dog-friendly Irish pub called McP's! They have excellent food, draft beers, and friendly staff. 

Address: 107 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

5. Have dinner at Old Town

Visit Old Town, the birthplace of California! There's something to do for everyone, including your canine companion. There are historic sites, shops, and of course, pet-friendly restaurants.

Also, one does not go to San Diego without eating tacos! If you're craving fresh and unique Tacos, head over to Casa de Freds Tacos y Tequila. They also have a dog menu. Stella got a Benny's Bowl, and she said it was quite tasty!

Address: 2470 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110

After a hearty meal, we explored Old Town's local shops and other eateries. We were drawn in by the sight of the people making handmade tortillas at Old Town Mexican Cafe. It was a neat attraction. We would definitely dine there in the future.

Address: 2489 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110

6. Explore Balboa Park

Last but not least, be sure to make time to explore Balboa Park! It is a 1,200-acre historic urban cultural park filled with museums, plazas, gardens, walking paths, theatres, and of course, the San Diego Zoo. Even though pets aren't allowed in most of the indoor attractions, we still had a great time roaming around stunning Spanish architecture. 

Just remember, dogs must be leashed at all times throughout the park, including trails and canyons. There are designated areas and posted as 24-hour dog-off-leash zones: Balboa Dr. at El Prado (Nate's Point), Morley Field, and Grape St. Park. 

There was so much to explore at Balboa Park. But if I could guess what Stella loved the most, it would have to be watching the koi fish swim at the Lily Garden or walking the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. It was her first time seeing a fish, so she became very curious and kept tilting her head. It was adorable. 

Address: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Where we stayed

Matt and I found the cutest cottage in San Diego. It was a cozy one-bedroom apartment with stunning city views and was big enough for two people and a dog. It even had an outdoor patio filled with all the BBQ essentials. I highly recommend booking a dog-friendly Airbnb versus hotels. We felt more comfortable. It was like a home away from home! 

Have you ever traveled with your pets? What are some tips you have for dog owners? Comment below!

Welcome! My name is Margareth, and I'm a 26-year-old travel and lifestyle blogger from Las Vegas.

If you’re looking for mind-blowing escapes, money-saving tips, local city guides, or vacation outfit ideas, you’re in the right place.

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