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Parks & Recreation

Beaches and Mission Bay

Beach Time for You and Your dog

Along the beach shoreline and Mission Bay, the City of San Diego has two designated leash-free exercise areas for dogs. Dogs are allowed at Dog Beach and on Fiesta Island. Dogs are restricted at other beach and bay locations.

These restrictions do not apply to service animals, as defined by the federal the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines a service animal as any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

General Guidelines for Dog Owners

Dog Access Rules – Mission Bay Park

 

Fiesta Island
Fiesta Island is open daily from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is a leash-optional area, including all shoreline and interior spaces. However, there are specific restricted areas where dogs are not allowed:

  • Two California Least Tern nesting sites are enclosed by locked gates year-round and are off-limits to both people and dogs.
  • Dogs are not permitted, leashed or unleashed, at the Youth Aquatic Center/Camp.
  • Two buffer zones around nesting sites are closed annually from April 15 through September 15. These areas are marked and locked during this time.
    Please refer to 

    Fiesta Island Nesting Map 2025

    .

 

All Other Areas of Mission Bay Park
Dog access is subject to seasonal restrictions:

  • From October 31 to March 31, dogs are not allowed between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • From April 1 to October 31, dogs are not allowed between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
    Outside these restricted hours, dogs are permitted but must always be on a leash.

 

Enforcement
Violations of leash laws and restricted hours may result in citations issued by Park Rangers, San Diego Police, San Diego Humane Society, or Lifeguards.

For other questions or concerns, Ask Parks.