Exercising with your pup is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with your furbaby. However, finding a dog-friendly outdoor space that isn’t a crowded dog park can be exhausting. Did you know you and your canine can enjoy many dog-friendly hiking trails near San Diego? We’ve compiled a list of seven hiking trails with quality views and plenty of space for you and Fido to enjoy. Strap on your hiking gear, grab a leash and a frisbee, and we’ll dive right into some dog-friendly hiking trails near San Diego.
Balboa Park Gardens Loop
Balboa Park Gardens Loop is generally easy and extremely fun to hike! The 1.4-mile loop takes anywhere between twenty and thirty minutes to complete. This is a highly active trail, with visitors often enjoying a walk or birdwatching, so you’ll probably run into others when you and your pup visit. The flat, paved trail has amazing views of the nearby Rose Garden, which you can enjoy and explore after your hike.
Enjoy this free trail with nearby parking. Leashes are only needed in the required areas.
Stonecrest Village Trail
Stonecrest Village Trail features a 1.4-mile out-and-back that should take only thirty minutes to complete! This is an excellent trail for road biking, running, and walking. So, any skilled pup or human companion can enjoy it. This paved trail is open all year round, and the shaded areas help cool this walk down during the hotter months. There is no public parking to access Stonecrest Village Trail, so connections through other trails or nearby neighborhoods must be considered.
This is a free trail, and dogs may be off-leash in designated areas.
Ocean Beach Park Trail
This is a beautiful ocean-view trail with vibrant sunsets to enjoy along the shoreline. Located in the heart of San Diego, the 2.4-mile loop takes about forty minutes to finish and is extremely popular, so it’s a better trail for well-behaved, social dogs. Please note that Ocean Beach Park Trail has specific rules and seasonal regulations regarding pup access to the beach. It’s crucial to understand these before a day of fun with Fido.
Dogs may be off-leash on the first part of this trail and the dog beach. Once you’ve made it through these areas, your pup needs to be secured. There is no entrance fee to enjoy Ocean Beach Park Trail.
Ruffin Canyon Trail
Ruffin Canyon Trail is a bit longer than our previous picks, lasting about an hour and thirty minutes for a 3.4-mile out-and-back. This trail is not as popular as some others mentioned, so it’s unlikely that you’ll run into other hikers and their furry friends. The trail mostly follows a dried-up river bed, which is perfect for adventurous dogs but can also be a bit dangerous. Ensure you have appropriate shoes and the proper dog gear to enjoy this trail safely.
Open year-round, you and your canine can enjoy Ruffin Canyon Trail any time for free! Dogs may remain off-leash in specific areas.
Tecolote Canyon Trail
This 6.4-mile out-and-back takes a little over two hours to complete. Tecolote Canyon Trail is extremely popular for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you’ll likely run into others while exploring. Many hikers warn about stings from bees and wasps, so keep an eye on your pets and yourself throughout this trail.
Tecolote Canyon Trail is free and open year-round. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Embarcadero to Spanish Landing
We’ve got another long trail for more experienced hikers and tough puppers! Embarcadero to Spanish Landing is a 7.7-mile out-and-back that takes under three hours to finish. This trail is fantastic for birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and road biking. This trail follows a path that will take you through many areas, some in nature and near storefronts! You’ll be able to check out over sixty shops and restaurants while exercising with your furball.
Embarcadero to Spanish Landing is a free trail with paid parking, and your dog may stay off their leash in areas where it is appropriate to do so.
Los Penasquitos Canyon (from Lopez Canyon)
Our last featured trail is nice and long for an entire afternoon of fun with your active furbaby. Los Penasquitos Canyon is 11.4 miles long. The loop trail takes about four and a half hours to finish and is filled with beautiful colors, scenery, and shaded sections. You may run into local wildlife and muddy areas. We recommend bringing good shoes for your doggie and yourself and plenty of water to stay hydrated on this long, exciting trail.
This is a free trail, and dogs must stay on their leash.
Hiking with your dog in and around San Diego offers so many fantastic opportunities to explore beautiful landscapes while getting quality exercise together. Whether you prefer a quick stroll through Balboa Park or are ready for a longer adventure on the Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail, there’s a trail for every pup and hiker. Remember to pack your essentials like water, snacks, and a leash (where required), and most importantly, enjoy the quality time with your furry friend. So, leash up and hit the trail – your next outdoor adventure awaits!