In San Diego, we may experience exceptional weather all year long, but there’s still something special about the summer season that makes being outdoors even better—for us and our four-legged friends. With endless sunshine and a seemingly limitless list of pet-friendly activities, here are ways to enjoy the dog days of summer in San Diego.
Cool Down
Leashed dogs are allowed on many beaches along the San Diego coastline, from Imperial Beach to Cardiff, but for off-leash fun, there are four options, each with its own personality: Dog Beach in Ocean Beach; Fiesta Island in Mission Bay Park; Dog Beach on Coronado; and Dog Beach in Del Mar. Looking to ditch the sand? You’ll need a leash to check out Waterfront Park in downtown.
Be a Sport
Work out with your dog on land or on water. You and your pooch can perfect your downward dog at a dog yoga class with Leash Your Fitness (leash your fitness). Row, row, row your boat with Fido at the helm on a Dog Paddle on San Diego Bay with Family Kayak Adventure Center (family kayak). Take a pet-friendly hike to explore the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument. Avoid the race-day crowds and run a 5K with Rover at the time, date, and location of your choosing by registering for one of San Diego’s virtual charity races, such as July’s Independence Day 5K/10K, benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, and the Smile Run 5K/10K, recognizing Suicide Prevention Month in September (active.com).
Get Festive
Street fairs abound all summer long in neighborhoods throughout San Diego County, with many featuring animal welfare booths, adoption opportunities, and pet product vendors. Check out the Hillcrest CityFest, Aug. 9; Doggie Street Festival at Liberty Station, Aug. 22; and the Adams Avenue Street Fair, Sept. 26-27.
Park It
Get outside and socialize with pets and their people at San Diego’s newest urban hangout for all the cool canines, Quartyard, a recently transformed lot in downtown’s East Village, which boasts a coffee shop, eatery, craft beer garden, and a 5,000-square-foot dog park (quartyardsd.com). Celebrating 100 years this summer, Balboa Park is home to a host of cultural attractions to keep you and your pet busy. Up for something more relaxing? Check out the dog park near Morley Field.
Dine Outside
Most local restaurant patios welcome well-behaved pups to dine with their patrons. Enjoy a summer meal al fresco at some of these favorites: Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, a dog-themed Mission Valley restaurant that caters to your canine with a special menu (lazydogrestaurants.com); Queenstown Public House, a quaint cottage with tasty burgers and perfect people-and-pet-watching in Little Italy (queenstownpublichouse.com); The Regal Beagle in Mission Hills or South Park Abbey for pub fare and trivia night fun; and, new this summer from the pet-friendly parents of The Patio on Goldfinch and The Patio on Lamont, comes Fireside by The Patio, at Liberty Station.
Grab a Beer
Nothing says refreshment on a warm San Diego summer day like a cold craft beer. Thankfully, many local breweries allow your pup to join you for a pint. Check out Green Flash Brewing Company in Mira Mesa (greenflashbrew.com); Hess Brewing in North Park (mikehessbrewing.com); Societe Brewing Company in Clairemont (societebrewing.com); and Mission Brewery in the East Village (missionbrewery.com).
On the cover
We’re all about keeping cool and having fun this summer in San Diego. Max, Rollo, and our photographers dropped by Waterfront Park to get the perfect shot. The trick to keeping two dogs in the same place at the same time: D.I.Y. Pup Pops. Make your own!
Fitoru
What an amazing gathering and event for pets. Great blog, nice post.