In 2003, Balboa Park was ranked one of the “Best Parks in the World” by the Project for Public Spaces

If you are a San Diego resident, you know how blessed we are with our beautiful weather and our excellent outdoor areas.  If you are a visitor to our fine city, we hope to share all of these great spaces with you and your pup!  Here are seven of our favorite places to take your dog for a walk this spring.

Balboa Park.  Balboa Park, located in the heart of San Diego, is a dog’s dream.  And their owners will love it too.  Balboa Park is the country’s largest urban cultural park, renowned for its miles of beautiful lush canyon hiking trails, brilliant gardens, 15 major museums, gorgeous architecture, and a surplus of sights to take in as your dog sniffs out all the latest happenings in this green escape from city life.

To help you navigate the miles of trails just waiting for you and your dog, the Balboa Park website provides free maps of the area here.  Also, you and your canine friend will not want to miss the popular off-leash dog parks you may encounter on your journey, including Nate’s Point, at the intersection of Balboa Dr. and El Prado (Click here for a map), just south of Cabrillo Bridge, and one at Morley Field just northwest of the tennis courts.  Nate’s Point—2.3 acres of prime real estate for your dog to romp around with fellow fun lovers—is complete with picnic tables, a double entry gate, and a drinking fountain.

Dog Beaches of Ocean Beach and Del Mar. Depending on where you live or stay, don’t miss one of San Diego’s dog beaches.  Ocean Beach Dog Park, located 10 minutes northwest of downtown San Diego at the end of highway 8, is one of the most popular places for locals to walk their dogs.  Should you choose, you can also let your dog off-leash to run free on 38 acres of sand where the San Diego River meets the ocean, and it is LEASH FREE.  You may also wish to wander the streets of funky-but-charming Ocean Beach and window shop the many boutiques that brighten Newport Avenue.  While you’re in Ocean Beach, don’t miss Sunset Cliffs at the south end of Sunset Cliffs Blvd, or stop in for a taco at South Beach Bar & Grille

About 20 minutes north of San Diego on highway 101, Del Mar’s North Beach allows dogs to play LEASH FREE on a two-mile stretch of sand nine months out of the year.  North Beach, also called Dog Beach, is located is located north of 29^th Street and stretches nearly one half mile to the north where Del Mar meets it neighbor Solana Beach.  You may also walk to Seagrove Park or Powerhouse Park of Del Mar, which also welcome dogs.

A Cliffside Stoll in Cardiff. While you are up in this neck of the woods, you might want to take a wander along the cliffs of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a small surfer’s paradise just north of Del Mar and Solana Beach.  This small beach town offers miles of paved sidewalks just west of the 101 and overlooking the Pacific.  You can park on highway 101, just watch for surfers crossing the road!

People watch the boardwalk of Pacific Beach. Known to locals, as simply P.B., this vibrant youthful beach city offers miles of boardwalk where this happening little town meets sand and sea.  A place to see and be seen, the boardwalk of PB is a great place for you and your dog to strut your stuff to the soundtrack of ocean waves.  It’s also a great place to go jogging or ride a bike with your pup.

Fiesta Island of Mission Bay. Located just minutes from downtown San Diego and just west of Mission and Fashion Valley, Fiesta Island of Mission Bay is another terrific place for both dogs and their people alike.  Fiesta Island is a popular place for visitors to San Diego because it is a great place to take out boats, ride jet skis, enjoy a picnic, bicycle, walk, or just spend some quality time in the sunshine.  Fiesta Island is great for dogs too—in fact, the whole island is leash-free!  The island boasts a 5.2-mile asphalt path around the island for dog walkers.

To get there, From I-5, take the Sea World Drive exit and head southwest, then make a right onto East Mission Bay Drive, then left to Fiesta Island. There is parking throughout the island.