San Diego has the best hikes, but most of these hiking trails aren’t dog-friendly. That’s why we’re sharing our favorite dog-friendly hikes in San Diego .

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We chose these dog-friendly hikes because they offer a variety of terrain, scenery, and difficulty levels, so whether you have a furry friend with energy to burn or a senior dog who prefers a more leisurely stroll, you’ll find an easy hike suitable for any type of dog.

Plus, these hiking trails are within an hour’s drive of downtown San Diego so that your pooch doesn’t have to spend long in the car.

Related Reading: 13 Tips for Hiking with Dogs

Check out these dog-friendly hiking trails in San Diego (or close by) that offer stunning views on your next adventure!

#1. La Jolla Cove Trail

This hike takes you past gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and has a few picnic areas. There are several places to stop and swim along the trail, plus you can bring your dog off leash here.

San Diego’s La Jolla Cove Trail is located near the Torrey Pines State Reserve. It’s easy to reach this dog-friendly trail via bus or car; however, if you’d prefer to walk, you can park near the trailhead and follow the signs along the road. There are multiple parking spots available, making it convenient for visitors who arrive early or late.

This dog-friendly hike in San Diego is perfect for dog owners who want to enjoy the outdoors while keeping their furry friends safe and happy. It’s the perfect spot for a day out with your dogs and a great way to enjoy the spectacular views of the sea.

Plus, there are popular restaurants are conveniently nearby for after your awesome adventure.

#2. Black Mountain Open Space Preserve

Black Mountain Open Space Park hiking with a dog

Black Mountain Open Space Preserve is one of the largest open spaces in San Diego County. This preserve is known for its diverse wildlife, especially bird species. Go on a 2.5-mile hiking trail adventure with your dog and enjoy awesome 360-degree views of natural beauty.

The park’s centrepiece is the 554-foot high summit of Black Mountain, which offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding area. From there, you and your dog can see the Pacific Ocean to the northwest, mountains to the northeast, downtown San Diego to the southeast, and the city skyline to the southwest.

Both my dog and I enjoyed the breeze as we hiked up to the summit and took in all the different types of birds we saw along the way.

Related Reading: Top 7 Hikes in Death Valley California

#3. Mission Trails Regional Park

Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego California

Mission Trails Regional Park is a popular park for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, and horseback riders. Located in Rancho Bernardo, this park features miles of trails for each of the above activities, including dog-friendly hikes or course.

Take your canine companion for a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle. This beautiful park covers more than 8,000 hectares (20,000 ac) of land, including rugged hillside trails, valleys, and open spaces.

My dog got really excited about all the open spaces. Unfortunately, there are no off-leash areas here. I know it’s tempting to just let them run wild but be warned the fine for an off-leash dog can be up to $250.

There are three main entrances to Mission Trails Regional Park. Two of those entrances are located in Rancho Bernardo and the third entrance is located in Poway. All three entrances provide parking and restrooms, and each entrance has a visitor center. You can see the trail map here.

#4. Mount Laguna Wilderness Park

dog hiking at Mount Laguna Wilderness Park

Mount Laguna Wilderness Park is a small park located in Solana Beach, California. This park provides visitors with scenic views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. Sunset Trail and Pioneer Mail Trail are the two dog-friendly trails in Mount Laguna.

The Sunset Trail is an easy three-mile hike through the Laguna Mountains that takes about two and a half to three and a half hours to complete with your four-legged friend. You can connect with the nine-and-a-half-mile round trip out-and-back trail by taking the Sunset Trail and then continuing onto the Big Laguna Trail.

Sunset Trail’s Big Laguna is the place for you to take your canine companion to run off-leash, as it doesn’t have large crowds.

Pioneer Mail Trail does require to have an adventure pass. It takes about one and a half hours to complete and at the highest point, a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Anza Borrego Desert State Park lies 3,000 feet below you, and the mountains stretch as far as the eye could see to the east and west.

There are four main entrances to Mount Laguna Wilderness Park. Three of those entrances are located near Solana Beach and the fourth entrance is located in Encinitas. Each entrance provides parking and restrooms.

The first two entrances to Mount Laguna wilderness park are located near Solana Village Shopping Center and Solana Beach Boulevard. The last two entrances to Mount Lagunare wilderness park are located near Del Mar Plaza and Solana Beach Boulevard East.

#5 Ocean Beach Park Trail

This trail is dog-friendly, and dogs are allowed off-leash. The park offers many different trails, including this one, which is popular among dog owners. The beach is located at the north end of Mission Bay Park, just south of Pacific Highway (aka. State Route 94).

If you’re looking for a great place to take your dog for some exercise, Ocean Beach Park is a perfect fit. This park is located near downtown San Diego, making it convenient for most people who live in the area.

There are plenty of benches along the path where you can sit down and relax after a long walk. And there are several restaurants nearby, so you won’t be too far away from food when you need a break.

And because this is a city park, you can expect to find plenty of other dog lovers out enjoying the day. So bring your pooch and join them!

This popular dog beach is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Dogs must be leashed between 10 am and 5 pm. There are no lifeguards on duty, so please keep your pets safe.

Dogs are allowed off-leash on Ocean Beach except from Sloat Boulevard to Stairwell 21, where leashes are required.

If you’re looking for a place to take your pup for some exercise, this is a great option.

#6 Fiesta Island Trail

Fiesta Island Trail in Mission Bay Park San Diego

Fiesta Island is a dog-friendly hike located in Mission Bay Park in San Diego. The trail is perfect for dogs because there are no stairs, and it’s only 1 mile long. There are plenty of benches along the trail where you can sit down and take a break.

There are several different trails at Fiesta Island, including the Dog Beach Trail, the Nature Trail, and the Sunset Trail. Each trail offers beautiful views of the bay and ocean.

If you’re staying at one of our hotels in San Diego, you can always take your pet with you. From Interstate 5, drive southbound on Highway 101 until you reach the Sea World Drive exit. Take the Sea World Drive exit, and continue westward until you reach Fiesta Island. You can park for free throughout the entire island.

#7 Balboa Park

San Diego’s Balboa Park is home to many dog-friendly hiking trails. The dog park offers plenty of space for dogs to run free and play. There are several dog parks within the park where owners can let their four-legged friends stretch their legs.

There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the park that allow dogs to join their human companions. Some of these trails are short and simple, while others take hikers through beautiful forests and across scenic bridges.

Balboa Drive at El Prado west of Cabrillo Bridge, Morley Field northwest of the tennis courts, and Grape Street Park near Granada Avenue are some of the areas your dogs can roam free.

Related Reading: 20 Nature Puzzles That You’ll Love

#8 Tecolote Canyon Trail

Woman hiking at Tecolote Canyon Trail with a dog

Tecolote Canyon Natural Park is located near Escondido, California. This trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscape.

The trail itself is not too strenuous but be prepared for a great workout with some steep inclines and descents. The trail is 2 miles long and takes about 1 hour to complete. The weather is great all year round. Dogs are very much welcomed but must be on their leash along the 6.5 miles of scenic trails in this lovely canyon.

There are several ways to access this trail. One option is to drive to the end of the road where there is a parking lot. Another option is to park at the top of the canyon and hike down. This option requires a bit more effort because you need to climb over rocks and brush. But it’s worth it because you won’t be bothered by cars driving past.

If you’re looking for a longer hike, consider taking your dog to Palomar Mountain. There are multiple trails to choose from including the Palomar Peak Trail, the Palomar Mountain Loop Trail, and the Palomar Mountain Summit Trail. These trails range between 5 and 10 miles each so make sure to bring plenty of water.

8 Best Dog-friendly Hikes in San Diego