In San Diego, there are many dog parks, and two dog beaches. One is in Ocean Beach, the other in Del Mar. The one in Del Mar is off leash only October through May. Take the 5 to Via De La Via, go left. (pay parking)
Del Mar is famous for its status as a very dog-friendly city. In addition to having great access to Del Mar’s pristine parks and beaches, plus most shops, hotels, and alfresco restaurants, these lucky dogs have their very own beach!
Del Mar Dog Beach
Del Mar Dog Beach – also known as North Beach to locals – is a recreational paradise beloved by owners and their four-legged friends. If you’re a dog-lover, you’ll enjoy the doggy spectacle – a truly unique Southern California experience.
Del Mar CA has fostered its pet-friendly traditions since incorporation in 1959. Nine months of the year, dogs are allowed along the entire two-plus-mile stretch of beach in addition to the city’s two major parks, Seagrove Park and Powerhouse Park.
Along the Camino Del Mar main strip, you’ll find a variety of pet-friendly restaurants, hotels, and shops. For a special shopping experience, stroll into Dexter’s Deli, the natural pet store.
While many residents and visitors enjoy all areas of the beach with their dogs, the most popular location for owners to bring their canines is the North Beach area. North Beach, affectionately called “Dog Beach” by dog owners, is located north of 29th Street and stretches nearly one-half mile to the Solana Beach border, just minutes from the Amtrak train station and the Del Mar Racetrack. This striking beach is made up of 2.5 miles of sand and coastal bluffs, starting from the south at Carmel Valley Road (which is the boundary to San Diego) and going north to the river mouth of the San Dieguito River.
While laws restrict access to half of the Del Mar beach during the summer months, North Beach remains open to leashed dogs (six-foot leash maximum.) Please see below for more details on visiting Del Mar’s Dog Beach or visit The City of Del Mar.
Dog Beach in OB, take the 8 west to the beach, follow the signs to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, then take a right on Point Loma Boulevard you’ll see the park on your right. (free parking, off leash 24 hr, all year)
Del Mar Dog Beach Rules & Tips
Del Mar Dog Beach Parking
Park on the street and remember to pay your meter diligently – or buy a $4 all-day pass from the little pay-and-display-your-ticket box at the top of Camino del Mar, just before Villa de la Valle. If you continue south past the bridge to 29th St. and beyond, you’ll find free parking on both sides of the street, though it does get crowded on the weekends.
Out-of-control doggie behavior is prohibited. Del Mar lifeguards enforce the rules and will write you a ticket. This is a very respectable pet-owning crowd. The beach is low-key with few incidents.
Most owners use the city-supplied clean-up mitts, but it’s still a good idea to watch your step. There are people’s restrooms, too, in the form of portable toilets. Owners must pick up after dogs at all times.
There is a natural boundary at the south end of dog beach – the San Dieguito Rivermouth flows into the sea and usually, it is anywhere from 25 to 50 feet across, depending on the season and rainfall, so its fairly easy for the City to contain the dogs.
Del Mar Dog Beach: Leash Laws
North Beach area (29th Street to Solana Beach border) Dogs must be leashed June 15th through Labor Day . Dogs able to run under the voice control of the owner from the day after Labor Day through June 14th.
Main Beach area (northern end of Powerhouse Park to 29th Street) Dogs not allowed June 15th through Labor Day . Dogs allowed leashed from the day after Labor Day through June 14th.
South Beach area (Powerhouse Park south to Torrey Pines border at 6th Street) Dogs must be leashed year-round.
For further information, please contact City of Del Mar Lifeguards at (858) 755-1556.
Ocean Beach is also fantastic place to take the dog or dogs. The Original dog beach as you can see in the picture, was established in 1972. It’s a pretty busy beach, with sometimes fifty to a hundred dogs running around on a nice day. Go take your dog, pick up after it of course and enjoy!
