Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in San Marcos, CA

There’s 1 dog-friendly hiking trail in San Marcos, and 16 more nearby. 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 Marcos.

Pet Friendly Lakeview Park
Lakeview Park Park is out away from main highway in a newer neighborhood. Had a walking trail around a duck pond. Nice morning walk. Only negative is small parking lot. Ended up parking a few blocks away but was a nice find. See Details
Pet Friendly Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is a dog-friendly area in Escondido, CA. Your leashed pup is welcome to join you on the 11 miles of trails through the reserve. Along the way, you can stop off at one of the picturesque picnic spots for a bite to eat and enjoy a scenic mountain view. Dogs must remain on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet. 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
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
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
Santa Margarita River Trail Santa Margarita River Trail is a dog-friendly, 5-mile path in Fallbrook, CA. Enjoy varying terrain and beautiful views. Visitors are often surprised to see so many broad water impoundments along the river which are the work of the California golden beaver. Dogs must be leashed at all times. 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
Village Park Trail Your pet will find plenty of smells to investigate on the Village Park Trail in Encinitas, CA. This lovely, dog-friendly natural trail, which is rarely crowded, welcomes dogs off-leash. The path can be found East of El Camino Real between Encinitas Boulevard and Mountain Vista Road. See Details
Monserate Mountain Preserve Monserate Mountain Preserve in Fallbrook, CA, has a dog-friendly trail featuring a 1.5-mile climb to the summit for panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. Be sure to bring water for both you and Fido. Please note that it is too hot in the summer to bring a dog along. The trailhead is just east of I-15 at the Stewart Canyons and Pankey Road intersection. Leashed dogs are welcome on many of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy Preserves. See Details
Felicita County Park Felicita County Park is an expansive dog-friendly area in Escondido, CA. Leashed dogs are welcome at this spacious community park which offers various sports fields, tennis courts, two playgrounds, walking paths and a disc golf course. A minimal parking fee applies. See Details
Annie's Canyon Trail Annie's Canyon Trail is a dog-friendly trail located on the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve in Solana Beach, CA. The trail is a moderate-to-strenuous one-mile loop. Dogs are welcome on the trail if they are cleaned up after and on a leash no longer than six feet. It is recommended that pets do not go on the strenuous part of the trail. Annie's Canyon Trail is open from sunrise to sunset. See Details
San Luis Rey River Trail (Oceanside) The San Luis Rey River Trail (Oceanside) is a multi-use trail that's a great place to walk Fido in Oceanside! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the San Luis Rey River Trail (Oceanside). 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
Rose Canyon Bicycle Path The Rose Canyon Bicycle Path 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 La Jolla! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Rose Canyon Bicycle Path. 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
Olympus Park Olympus Park is a pet-friendly spot in Encinitas, CA. Fido is welcome to play at their off-leash area or walk around the paved pathway throughout the park. If you go with a group, they offer seating options for you and your pup to watch them use facilities such as the playground, skatepark or sports courts. See Details
San Marcos, CA, US