retrieved from the City of Del Mar website
Woof woof. Ruff ruff. WOOF.
Loosely translated: your dog’s telling you it’s time to head to the beach.
In coastal San Diego, some of the most seasoned beachgoers have four legs and sandy paws.
Retrievers launching into waves, tiny pups wrapped in beach towels, scruffy regulars with sand stuck to their whiskers—around here, dogs live the good life. Salt spray on their fur, tennis ball in their mouth, and no shortage of new friends to chase down the beach.
But every dog beach moves to its own rhythm. Some are leash-free playgrounds, others come with a bit more structure (and a leash in hand, depending on the hour). We’ve learned the ins and outs after years of fetch sessions, salty shake-offs, and sandy car rides.
So whether your pup is a social butterfly or a solo sniffer, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite sandy spots from north to south—then we’ll introduce the paws behind the post: the dogs of the Gellens Team.
The Dog Beaches in San Diego
A few top spots where tails wag hardest—starting up the coast in North County and heading south.
Cardiff to Seaside Beach
This stretch has that classic Cardiff rhythm—wide sand, driftwood that doubles as the perfect fetch stick, and locals who’ve been walking it with their pups for years. From Tower 16 in Cardiff to Seaside, it’s one long, sniff-worthy run of shoreline. It’s a leashed zone all day, every day, but that doesn’t stop salty tails from wagging or sandy paws from getting plenty of mileage.
Things move at a relaxed pace here. Dogs stay close, noses to the breeze, soaking up the salt air like it’s part of their routine. Whether you’re starting your morning or winding down the day, it’s a solid spot for a good old-fashioned stroll with your co-pilot along the shore.
Del Mar Dog Beach
If you live in Del Mar and someone says, “Let’s meet at dog beach,” this is the one they’re talking about. From the Solana Beach border down to 29th Street, this stretch is a go-to for pups who love to play. High tide brings ideal digging terrain, low tide brings prime conditions for fetching—and overall, it’s a favorite for dogs looking to get the zoomies by the water.
Like the tides, the leash rules here shift with the seasons. In the off-season (day after Labor Day through June 15), pups can run leash-free from sunup to sundown. During peak season (June 16 through Labor Day), the early risers win—off-leash play is allowed from dawn until 8 a.m., then it’s leashes on for the rest of the day.
Stick around long enough, and you just might catch a tail-wagging surf session in action. This beach is home to the Surf Dog-A-Thon, an annual dog surf contest hosted by the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Dogs are paddled out by their humans in bright-colored jerseys and life jackets, and the crowd cheers for every wobbly ride.
Between the wave-chasing, leash-friendly hours, and the daily dog scene, it’s easy to see why this stretch is a go-to for local pups—and once yours gets a taste, they won’t let you pass it without stopping.
La Jolla Shores
If there’s one stretch of sand that feels made for a mellow dog day, it’s this one. With gentle waves, soft sand, and wide-open space, La Jolla Shores is a local favorite for morning strolls, splashy playdates, and golden-hour wanders.
It’s not an off-leash beach—dogs need to stay leashed at all times and are only allowed before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. in the summer (after 4 p.m. in the winter). But that doesn’t seem to bother the pups who visit. This is the kind of place where the leash feels light, paws sink into the sand just right, and everyone—two-legged or four—moves at the pace of the waves.
Fiesta Island | Mission Bay
If your pup’s not into riding waves in Del Mar, Fiesta Island—tucked inside Mission Bay—offers a calmer kind of playground. With soft sand under paw and still bay water lapping nearby, it’s perfect for dogs who want to roam, dig, splash, and repeat.
This is open space at its most dog-friendly. Dunes to dash through, calm water to wade in, and plenty of room to stretch their legs—it’s the kind of place where dogs run like they’ve got a mission, and the shoreline is their finish line.
Fiesta is a leash-optional zone across nearly the entire island, including the shoreline and interior trails. A few marked areas near nesting sites and the Youth Aquatic Center are off-limits—but most of the space is fair game for sniffing, sprinting, and swimming.
Ocean Beach Dog Beach
At the end of Voltaire Street in Ocean Beach sits a San Diego classic: the original, the legendary, the always-a-scene OB Dog Beach. Open 24/7, leash-free, and full of personality. Whether your dog wants to join a game of group fetch or roll solo in the shallows, this is where San Diego’s most social pups come to play.
It’s casual, chaotic in the best way, and always buzzing. Surfers rinse off in the parking lot, locals sip coffee with sandy dogs at their feet, and tennis balls skip across the sand like they have their own agenda. The energy’s high, and the beach feels more like a neighborhood hangout than just a spot to swim.
There’s space to run, water to wade, and plenty of dogs to meet. If yours thrives on action, this one’s a classic.
Coronado Dog Beach
If your pup likes their beach days with a touch of polish, this is the spot. Set at the far end of Ocean Boulevard—right by Sunset Park—Coronado’s off-leash beach is all golden sand, postcard views, and pups who strut like they own the place.
To the right, Point Loma rises in the distance. To the left, the Hotel Del adds a splash of old-school glam. And in between? Dogs chasing tennis balls like seagulls chasing snacks, digging trenches in the sand, and soaking up the scene like it’s just another perfect day on the island.
It’s open 24/7 and leash-free, with enough space to sprint, sniff, and make a few new friends along the way. The path in is simple—just a quick trot down from Sunset Park—and suddenly you’re in the middle of a Coronado classic.
Introducing the Dogs of the Gellens Team
After all that sandy research, we figured it’s only fair to introduce the real experts—the ones who inspired this guide, tested the beaches, and brought the sandy paws home. They might not make the deals, but they definitely run the show at home. From beach mornings to backyard zoomies, these dogs are part of the rhythm that keeps our team grounded.
Meet Rookie, Marti’s Dog
The sweetest, kindest soul there is. Rookie is a Keeshond and has been part of the family for nearly 15 years. These days, he’s happiest stretched out on the deck, watching the ocean from his home in Del Mar. But if he could pick a favorite beach from his younger years, it would hands-down be Del Mar Dog Beach. That was his spot!
Meet Bogey, Jenn’s Dog
At 17, Bogey’s mostly blind and deaf—but that doesn’t stop him from letting other dogs know who’s boss (even if he’s not entirely sure they’re there). He’s a Porkie (Pomeranian-Yorkie mix), loyal to Jenn through and through, and still full of sass. Back in the day, Del Mar Dog Beach was his go-to. These days, he’s all about cozy spots and sticking close to home.
Meet Blue, Marks Dog
Blue’s a sweet Mini Aussiedoodle with a thing for chasing birds and splashing through the water. Fiesta Island is her favorite beach and her happy place—calm bay waves, open space, and always something flying by to follow. Playful and easygoing, she fits right in with the Magstadt family.
Meet Pumpkin & Cooper, Kara’s Dog’s
These two couldn’t be more different. Cooper is the classic older sibling—friendly, playful, and convinced everyone’s here to say hi. Pumpkin is more reserved, with a cat-like personality and the climbing skills of a mountain goat. He’ll show up with his “baby” toy, but affection is always on his terms. They’re not exactly beach dogs—but Kara’s Lab before them was, and Coronado Dog Beach was her favorite spot. So that’s where they’d go, in spirit.
Meet Puga, Drew and Christy’s Dog
Puga’s on the older side these days, but she still knows how to soak up the good stuff—especially a golden-hour sunset. Her favorite spot? Perched above Windansea Beach, watching the waves from the benches. Slow walks, salty air, and a front-row seat to the view—just her pace!
Meet Captain, Jaysea’s Dog
Captain is full of personality and gets so fired up to go to the beach, he’s practically out the door before you grab the leash. As a Golden Retriever, swimming has always come naturally—he’ll dive under waves for rocks, chase after tennis balls or driftwood, and dig like it’s his job. His favorite beach? Cardiff to Seaside—plenty of space to dig holes!
Final Sniffs
If your dog could write this blog, they’d probably just leave a paw print and run straight to their favorite beach. But we hope this gives you a few new spots to explore—and a few more reasons to love life by the coast.
A lot of the time, these beaches are what get people thinking about living nearby—because when your four-legged family member is happy, it just feels like home. Whether you’re looking for new places to roam or a spot to settle in, we’re always happy to help.