Planning a Special Event in San Diego Parks?

If you're hosting a wedding, large picnic, or other special event in Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Presidio Park, or any of our Shoreline Parks, a permit is required.

Permits are managed by the City’s Permit Center; however, in-person services are not available. All permit applications and inquiries must be handled online or by phone.

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Contact the Permit Center PRPermitCenter@sandiego.gov
Recorded Information: 619-235-1169

To learn more or begin the permit process, please visit:
www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/permits

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All dogs shall be kept on a leash not exceeding 8 feet, including trails and canyons in all parks. For those parks that have been designated dog off-leash areas, dogs must be leashed until inside the posted boundary for the off-leash area.

Find out where our dog parks are located and more

Visit SDRecConnect to conveniently browse a variety of activities offered by the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department and Community Recreation Groups. It's as easy as One, Two and Three. Sign up for an account, find a class or activity, and register!

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Find information on a list of general rules for parks and recreation centers. Be sure to contact facilities for the latest hours of operations, programs and events, or emergency closure information.

General Rules and Regulations

Open Space Canyons and Parklands Rules

Night Time Park Curfews and Closures

Recreation Centers

Rules of Conduct for Park Patrons

Pools

See Parks and Programs Collection 

Price Philanthropies

San Diego Parks Foundation 

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation 

Vision: To connect all to the City’s diverse, world-class park system

Mission: To provide healthy, sustainable, and enriching environments for all

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Provide access to clean, safe, well-maintained parks, open space, and landscaped areas

• Provide well-maintained parks.
• Provide clean parks.
• Provide safe and enjoyable access to parks.

Goal 2: Access to enjoyable, fulfilling recreational opportunities for all

• Serve areas in and around Climate Equity Index communities of concern (“service area”) by reducing impediments to program participation.
• Serve areas in and around Climate Equity Index communities of concern (“service area”) by marketing programs to San Diegans.
• Serve areas in and around Climate Equity Index communities of concern (“service area”) by identifying and closing gaps in services between various recreation facilities.
• Connect all San Diegans with their local park by understanding and offering desired community recreation activities, programs, and events.
• Expand digital equity by providing Wi-Fi (wireless internet) in communities.

Goal 3: Foster employee-centric sustainable growth and development

• Compensate employees at rates at or above average for various governmental agencies within San Diego County.
• Create innovative ways to recognize and reward exceptional performance and special projects.
• Improve recruitment and retention efforts and create a desirable and attainable workforce.

Goal 4: Cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our employees and the public

• Strategize environmental scans of our facilities to ensure that they are culturally inclusive and free of insensitive or racist materials.
• Cultivate a culture of respect in our facilities by following principles of respect, equity and inclusion.

Goal 5: Implement Climate Action Plan goals, including fossil fuel use reduction, natural resource management, preservation, restoration, and tree planting

• Reduce fossil fuel usage in buildings by electrification, appliance swaps, and use of new emerging technologies in accordance with Climate Action Plan objectives.
• Expand natural resource management plans to identify sensitive habitats, establish resource needs and proper management techniques, and restore and protect valuable open space areas.
• Build the urban shade canopy by planting trees in parks and replacing dead/dying trees.

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