Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in San Diego, CA

There are 15 dog-friendly hiking trails in San Diego. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in San Diego.

Pet Friendly Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a dog-friendly park in San Diego, CA. This network of trails and cliffs made for climbing is one of the country's most beautiful sunset spots. The park is free and welcomes pups on a leash. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess left behind and to make sure their pet is under control during the visit. See Details
Pet Friendly Tuna Harbor Park
Tuna Harbor Park Tuna Harbor Park is a dog-friendly park in San Diego, CA. Located a 1-min walk from the USS Midway Museum, this bayside park features shaded grassy areas, a promenade and the Unconditional Surrender sculpture, which is the iconic image of a sailor kissing a nurse. Dogs are allowed on leash in all Port of San Diego parks. The park can be accessed every day of the week from 6:00am to 10:30pm. See Details
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is a dog-friendly preservation area in San Diego, CA. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails on leashes no longer than 8-feet long. Scenery in the canyon includes waterfalls, streamside forest, sycamore trees, a freshwater marsh, and wildlife like mule deer, bobcat, coyote and, raccoons. All recreational activities within the Preserve are day-use only and camping is prohibited. See Details
Cabrillo Tide Pools Coastal Trail Cabrillo Tide Pools Coastal Trail in San Diego is an easy, dog-friendly, 0.5 mile hike in Cabrillo National Monument that will take about 1 hour to complete with Fido. Although some people along the trail may tell you that your dog is not allowed, this trail is in fact the only area in Cabrillo National Monument where dogs are allowed. Fido will have to remain on a leash on the trail to the tide pools. Dogs are not allowed in the tide pools. Don't forget to clean up after your pup. See Details
Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Trail Leashed dogs are welcome to join you on Piedras Pintadas Interpretive Trail, a pet-friendly hiking trail in San Diego, CA. This 3.7-mile, moderate trail takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Many people hike, bike and bird watch in this area, so you are likely to see other hikers during your visit. See Details
Chollas Lake Recreation Area Bring your pup for some on-leash fun at Chollas Lake Recreation Area in San Diego, CA. This beautiful, dog-friendly, lakeside recreation area offers views of the peaceful water and local wildlife while you exercise. See Details
Mission Trails Regional Park Mission Trails Regional Park is a dog-friendly open space which encompasses 8,000 acres of both natural and developed recreational areas on the outskirt of San Diego, CA. Bring Fido eight miles northeast of downtown to explore 60 miles of trails along rugged hills and across scenic desert valleys. Lake Kumeyaay Trail and Old Mission Dam Trail provide water views for hikers. Fido must remain on a leash during your visit and hikers are reminded not to bring pets to the park in hot temperatures. See Details
Marian Bear Memorial Park Leashed dogs are welcome to explore plenty of wide open spaces at Marian Bear Memorial Park in San Diego, CA. The pet-friendly park is located in San Clemente Canyon and provides a natural setting in the midst of a bustling urban area. Enjoy over three miles of mostly flat trails along the length of the canyon. More challenging hiking is available on the trails in several of the finger canyons leading up to the mesa tops. Major entries to the park are off Genesee Avenue and Regents Road where parking and picnic areas with restroom facilities are available. See Details
Cowles Mountain Cowles Mountain Trail is a dog-friendly, moderately easy, 3-mile hike in San Diego, CA. Located within Mission Trails Regional Park, this hike will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. Cowles Mountain is the highest point you can get to within the city limits of San Diego. Plans are being made to add more trails to the area. See Details
Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center Leashed dogs are welcome for some exercise along the 6.5 miles of scenic pet-friendly trails at Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center in San Diego, CA. Please be alert during your visit, as the area is home to rattlesnakes, poison oak, mountain lions, rugged terrain and other hazards. Make sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen, and wear sturdy footwear. See Details
Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway) The Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway) is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in San Diego! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the dog-friendly Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway). Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
Martin Luther King Promenade The dog-friendly Martin Luther King Promenade in San Diego, CA, is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in San Diego! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Martin Luther King Promenade. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
La Jolla Natural Park Bring your leashed dog to 42-acres of picturesque parkland featuring hilltop hiking paths with sweeping sea vistas. See Details
Greatest Generation Walk Greatest Generation Walk is a pet-friendly walk through Tuna Harbor Park in San Diego. Located near the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway, the Greatest Generation Collection honor and celebrate the people, events and military heritage spanning the time from World War II to present day. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on a tour of art installations throughout the park. The park can be accessed every day of the week from 6:00am to 10:30pm. See Details
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Leashed dogs can join their owners along the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park trails. This San Diego, CA, pet-friendly recreation area offers over 22.5 miles of multi-use trails that visitors can explore. The site is also home to a bird and butterfly garden, sports fields, a campground and more. See Details
Mount Woodson Trail The Mount Woodson trail is a dog-friendly hike in Poway, CA. The trailhead is located on the east side of Lake Poway. The hike to the summit is considered extremely challenging as it contains a 2,000-foot climb in elevation. This eight-mile round-trip hike takes about 3 to 4 hours on average, so be sure to plan and pack accordingly. Fido must stay leashed while hiking. See Details
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Rios (East) Trail The Rios (East) Trail is an easy 1.2-mile hike in the San Elijo Ecological Reserve in Solana Beach, CA. This dog-friendly trail runs close to the lagoon and allows one to enjoy wetland plants and birds. This beautiful area is still close to the highway, and parts of it can be muddy. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Find the trailhead at the end of Rios Ave, where you also find on-street parking. See Details
Iron Mountain Trail Iron Mountain Trail is a dog-friendly, moderately easy, 5.75 mile hike in Poway, CA. This hike takes about 2.5 hours to complete with Fido. This is a very popular trail that is clearly marked. If your dog is used to trails it should be okay on his paws, if not you may want to work him up to it. See Details
Cowles Mountain Trail Cowles Mountain Trail is a dog-friendly hike in Santee, CA. This trail is considered moderately easy and will take about two hours to complete with Fido. The summit of Cowles Mountain is the highest point in the city limits of San Diego, so be sure to pack your camera! See Details
Mission Trails Regional Park Mission Trails Regional Park is a dog-friendly park in La Mesa, CA, that features a great spot to take your pet for a leashed stroll around the lake. They'll love watching the squirrels and ducks. The park has become one of the largest urban parks in the United States with over 8,000 acres of both natural and developed recreational areas. See Details
San Diego, CA, US