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Fiesta Island Park

Most of Fiesta Island Park, a large sandy island in San Diego, CA is designated leash-free for dogs. It has lots of sandy dunes to romp in, and the calm bay waters allow the more adventurous dogs to take a quick dip. There's a designated off-leash location on the backside of the island. Bring water for your dogs. Visit Website

Or call (619) 525-8213 or email askparks@sandiego.gov for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Fiesta Island Park has received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 bones by 39 canine critics on BringFido and 4.5 out of 5 by 63 guests on TripAdvisor.

  • Amber
    Oct 7, 2023
    It’s okay

    there is a lot of space for dogs to run and play, went on a Saturday and there were several dog training classes going on so we had to be careful with our dog who just wanted to play with other dogs. the beach was not great, not much of a beach/sand area.

  • Sandi
    Jul 8, 2023
    Having a Dog Fiesta

    Fiesta Island is massive and so there is plenty of room for dogs to run and play. Murphy and Bella had the best of time. They ran on the beach, walked in the sand, rolled in the sand and played until they were tired. A tired dog is a happy dog. These dogs were happy with tails wagging as we left. Excellent place for dogs.

  • B
    Jun 3, 2022
    Huge but a lot of waste left

    Largest area I know of in Socal. I keep meaning to time my walk to see how long you are able to walk. So much space is right! Note: there are gaps at both ends of the fence (not entirely contained). Technically it's open 24 hours but you theoretically have to walk from the beginning of the island since the sign claims the island closes at 10p (and no light at night I don't think). Rumor has it that street racing happens there on weekend nights (?). Off leash area is along mission bay so the water is calm. One side has small waves and the opposite side has virtually none. NO WATER fountains. Very limited shade. Parking ample. Portable restrooms. Repeat - need to bring water. During the spring it is a field of yellow flowers (clouds and I mean clouds of pollen when the dogs run through it). As always, bring bags. Many owners leave waste, which is highly disappointing. Still, the sheer size makes it a can't be missed location when you're looking to take your dog for a long walk. Limited restaurants in close proximity (no water). Also, please consider volunteering with one of the cleanups through Fiesta Island Dog Owners group. Enjoy!

  • Lexi
    Apr 22, 2022
    So much space

    We went during the week while I was on a staycation and there were a lot of cars but because it’s so big my dog who is a little fearful of large dogs was still able to run around and explore while keeping away from other dogs. I didn’t see a lot of trash as another reviewer mentioned. Sure there was the occasional poop but not anything alarming. I’ll definitely come back if we’re ever in the area.

  • Beans & Maple
    Apr 16, 2022
    Amazing but FIREWORK WARNING

    Like others noted, it’s big, spacious, grassy fields and beach all in one place. It is almost fully fenced in and most of the time, it wouldn’t be an issue except when Seaworld sets off fireworks just after sunset on certain days. Dozens of dogs including Beans ran past the fence opening that is along the beach by the entrance and out of the dog park for miles, even trying to swim across the bay to hide from the noise. Check the Seaworld website to confirm firework schedules and leash your dog by sundown on those days!

  • Valerie
    Jul 25, 2021
    Beautiful

    spacious and peaceful. dogs got to swim in peace

  • David
    Jun 19, 2021
    Possibly the best dog beach/park in America

    Over many years and with many dogs we've found most dogs here friendly and calm, including big pit bulls. The island is full of wild birds to photograph. We're San Diego residents and this is our and our dog's favorite place to visit and have fun.

  • Morgan
    Aug 22, 2020
    Not Impressed

    we just moved to the area and heard so many great things about Fiesta so I decided to take my dogs there and was completely unimpressed. There was broken glass, trash, shoes/flip flops left behind, and dog poop that was picked up and the bag just left there (mind you there are trash cans everywhere). One of my dogs LOVES the water and they had boats and jet skis so close to the shore I was afraid to let her swim.

  • Dalia
    Mar 9, 2020
    Nice Park!

    Lots of room to run and play. Loved that my guy could play in the water and still get a good walk in!

  • Ashleigh
    Mar 7, 2020
    Awesome Dog Park!

    Lots of room for the pups to run, explore and make friends.

  • Mary
    Oct 27, 2019
    Huge park.

    This is a huge, extensive dog park with both beach and hiking. But make sure you have an excellent recall and your voice can carry. My dog was playing with another dog and got so far away that she couldn't hear me call to her. The other dog's owner kept walking and I couldn't keep up to catch them. She walked off with my dog for over an hour before she walked her back, saying she didn't realize she didn't belong to the people in front of her. I was frantic and numerous people took time out to help me look for her. Who walks off with someone else's dog? Well, the do on Fiesta Island. Its doggie paradise, just don't let them get so far away they can't hear you call them. With the sound of the waves and the direction of the wind, that line is closer than you think. If you can't run to catch them, you'll just have to wait and pray they come back.

  • Carlee
    Oct 14, 2019
    Dog Paradise!!!

    The dogs loved playing and we enjoyed watching the wind surfers and relaxing.

  • Chase
    Aug 14, 2019
    Favorite. Spot. Ever.

    My pups and I have had some great times here!

  • Tori Anne
    Jun 25, 2019
    Very Large & Water Access

    The park is very large. It is gated which is great and you can be more comfortable with having your dog off leash. I would bring your own water source. Also I have noticed people tend to leave the gates open. Great beach/water access for just dogs which is awesome.

  • Fiona
    May 19, 2019
    dog disneyland

    my dog LOVES fiesta island! as soon as we come close to it, he goes crazy! so much land to run around and swim! since my dog likes to swim, we normally are always in the shore.... but if your pooch isn’t a fan of the water, there is plenty of dry land for them to run around in!

  • Caitlin
    Feb 3, 2019
    My dog's favorite place!

    Both of us love fiesta island! It tends to be not crowded (during the week at least), and everydog owner has been courteous! It is a massive island with a speed limit of 25, and on the back half there is a fence between the road and the off-leash area (but also a mile or so of land between the beach and the fence). Easy parking, and fun!

  • Darijus
    Oct 30, 2018
    Good , quiet place

    Want to recommend this place too. Never had problems here and my dog loves to walk here too

  • Keith
    More than a year ago
    Great dog park!

    My dog is shy, but loves to socialize here. There have been many good times for her at this San Diego landmark. There is just no other place that can compare, especially in the off-leash experience. Of all the times that we have been here there has only been two incidents of aggressive, unruly dogs and their respective owners.
    This invaluable dog owner resource needs to be protected from encroachment by commercial and government interests.

  • Heather
    More than a year ago
    Amazing place

    We have an English Bulldog and are out in San Diego for 5 months for work. This is the only time I have walked my dog that she didn’t overheat! She had a great time trying to catch fish and smelling all the smells. She and I will be here frequently! People were friendly and dogs well behaved.

  • Jenn
    Jun 13, 2018
    Dog Heaven

    My dog looooves this place. I enjoy walking the 1.25 miles loop and my dog follows... frolicking from the water and running up and down the dunes and to-and-fro in blissful glee. Bring your own water for your dog and give them plenty of drink breaks.

  • Alexandra
    Jun 4, 2018
    So much fun!)

    Absolutely wonderful. Our shy pup had a blast and made friends. She even got kn the water. There is a ton of space too so I never once saw a dog nip at each other

  • Moira
    Dec 26, 2017
    It is really big for an off leash dog park

    I really appreciated how big this area is, it's nice to get some exercise with your dog. I would give this 5 bones, its mostly just that I come from Canada and we are not used to so much sand/dirt, which makes clean up much more challenging. ;) Also in winter, 90% percent of bushes are dead, so not much greenery, I would love to see it in spring when it flowers and has more green. Bear had a blast going in and out of the water, nice calm water so he could really get his swim on vs. big waves. There were water bowls at many different points in the park, no water, we brought our own. It's really open on top so you can see for a long distance, it didn't seem busy which could be partly the size of the park, or perhaps everybody had a turkey hangover from Christmas day. Would definitely come here again.

  • Janet
    More than a year ago
    Much better than dog beach

    The first 2 years we visited we didn't know how to get to Fiesta Island. It is great for the dogs. It is so spread out so that people are actually walking their dogs which makes them a lot less aggressive. We have gone there every day this trip except the day we screwed up and went to Nates Point. We won't make that mistake again.

  • Lisa
    More than a year ago
    Great park!!

    My dogs and I go to FI several times per week. I am a FIDO member which also means I, along with many others attend clean up days for missed and "sorta missed poops." And I am also active in "keeping Fiesta Island " for our dogs. This is,a great community of people who love their dogs-lucky we are to have this place!!!
    During the three yrs I have brought my dogs there I have never seen a dog attacked and/or injured; however I am aware that during this time there have been at least 2 dog injuries in a park that hosts at least 300 dogs/day, and that spells a small percentage to me. On occasion there have been incidents of, especially small, pet owners that get frazzled if a dog (usually a larger puppy) becomes too animated with their small dogs, and they react. Children in park settings sometimes react as well;however "helicopter ing" prevents kids- and dogs- from learning to resolve. Issues at Fiesta,in my observation, are mostly (overly loving) people related. Trust your dogs, relax, and it will make for a more enjoyable park for all.
    So glad to read so many great reviews. Please remember FIDO needs our support-i.e. keeping park clean(consider picking up a extra poop as though it was one you missed). Be a good neighbor, and good role model for your pup!!
    Thank you FIDO Board Members for the hard work you do on behalf of our dogs!!
    - Loving mom of small, medium and a large dog

  • Karen
    More than a year ago
    Beware Aggressive Dogs and Their Owners

    This beach was so wonderful for dog families. However, it has become very crowded, and sadly owners of aggressive, growling, barking, frightening dogs have become more prevalent. As a very large, off-leash dog ran at our dog growling and snapping, I got in between it and our dog. The smiling owner comes up and tells me that if I don't like dogs I shouldn't come to a dog beach. As I told her, I love well-behaved dogs. And well-behaved owners. Sadly, they are getting more scarce at this park.

  • Jean
    More than a year ago
    Help Save This Area!

    There is no other place like it in all of Southern California! Dogs run,play and swim while their owners exercise alongside them,- walking, biking and running. Unfortunately the city is planning to develop it but FIDO (Fiesta Island Dog Owners) is fighting to preserve a space. Go to their website and sign up to be a supporter to save the area.

  • Heather
    More than a year ago
    Fun and Sand

    I liked that there were a couple of doggie-friendly options here. You could choose to walk the perimeter of the island with your pooches off-leash (since this area is fenced off from the main road) or go splash around in the shallow water off the beach (which is especially great for little dogs!)

  • Sonsie
    More than a year ago
    Great Dog Beach 🌊

    We took our dog and his dog friend here to teach him how to swim. They loved it. We will definitely be coming back :)

  • JoJo
    More than a year ago
    great as is

    The only place ( until you reach Nor Cal ) where your best friend can run/walk/swim with their friends and you~~win, win you both get great exercise, outdoors and activity!! Leave it the way it is...perfect!!!

  • Ashleigh
    More than a year ago
    Best Dog Beach!

    We love this park! It's HUGE and plenty of room for the dogs to full on run and jump and swim! We spend all day there sometimes! Love it.

  • Nicole
    More than a year ago
    great

    This place is awesome!! A whole island where your dog can be off the leash! Everyone I talked to was really nice and all the dogs were well behaved! My dog loved it and enjoyed going into the water! It was also very clean for the amount of dogs that go there.

  • Meg
    More than a year ago
    Disney for Dogs!

    I love this place, it's the best. It has everything...large open space to let your dogs run, wild life to Chase, water to romp in and have I mentioned all the dogs??? It's also great walk for the humans or if you like to run off leash with your pup, this place is perfect!

  • Colt
    More than a year ago
    Dog Heaven

    Our dogs LOVE Fiesta Island. The young Labs RUNNN!!! and swim, the old Ger Shep just happily walks along and occasionally splashes in the shallows -- but it's a good time for all. The only flaw is that sometimes owners fail to clean-up after their pets -- so to those of you who sometimes may have so neglected ... please be more considerate. Thanx.

  • Kevin
    More than a year ago
    Love this Place

    My 2 dogs love this place. They can run, swim and climb hills. Besides the fact this is the biggest dog park I have even seen, they love all of the open space to run.

  • Lea
    More than a year ago
    Fiesta Island

    We had so much fun but I did notice there were many people with unfriendly dogs. I recommend Fiesta Island but it might be a goo idea to keep your small dog on a leash at first. ALSO, be very careful of beehives!! There was a huge beehive under a picnic table. I did track down a guy who worked there and they eventually had the hive relocated but I was told they have a bee problem.

  • Joni
    More than a year ago
    love this place

    One of my favorite places to bring my dog for some exercise since I get plenty of exercise with her. A walk around the fenced area takes us over an hour to complete. Lots of water play and hills for running up and down. Could use a couple more strategically located trash bins. The only drinking water for dogs is brought is what is brought in by jugs and left under the trees in the middle of the island but last time I was there I did notice someone left a bowl and jug by the southwest side of the island. Would also be nice if more people cleaned up after their pets. All in all it's still one of our favorite places.

  • Robert
    More than a year ago
    A must go

    Huge open area. Only water area is in the middle where 3 trees are. provided by water jugs. plenty of beach area as well as (during spring only) plenty of green shrubs. good place during summer ( SD parks dept. moes over all weeds to keep fox tails down)

  • Beth
    More than a year ago
    Mrs

    With a 10 month old Puppy, it is nice to have a wide open area for him to run. Other dog beaches are confined to a small area with so many dogs it is hard to keep track of everything. Fiesta Island is nice because of the wide open areas. There may be hundreds of dogs but it still seems empty. Plus if my little guy gets too crazy and starts annoying the older dogs, I can just turn around an walk the other direction. Plenty of open space.

  • Chelsea
    More than a year ago
    Great place to be free!

    There is just so much space for your dog to be free. So many dog parks are fenced in, and dog beaches can often be crowded due to space. Dogs of all sizes play here, with room to walk away if there isn't a friendly encounter. (Usually is though) It would receive a higher rating if more owners cleaned up after their pets. Just watch where you step, and bring a towel in case your dog likes to swim!

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