San Diego County

San Diego epitomizes the relaxed and friendly spirit that defines the best of the Southern California lifestyle. It’s also a dog-friendly trend setter, having established, back in 1972, the original Dog Beach, one of the country’s first leash-free beaches.

In San Diego, it’s a dog’s life as Daisy can let loose on the beach or hike with her people among the lush eucalyptus forests, lunch at a quaint outdoor cafe, then top it off with a pooch-pampering bath and spa treatment. (We hear there are even a lot of fun things for humans to do, too!)

Lionel's Legacy Senior Dog Rescue

Photo: Mama Cass / Lionel's Legacy

This San Diego-based senior dog rescue is dedicated to saving one senior dog at a time and educating young minds to create a legacy of compassion and advocacy. Named for a 15-year-old pittie mix pulled from a Los Angeles shelter, Lionel amazed and inspired the team that founded the rescue.  more »

Just Beach It, Beach It, Beach It

Coronado Dog Beach / Photo: Cindy Chow

Sun, sand and surf are what drew you to bring your pup to San Diego in the first place, right? Well, you certainly hit bingo. No pilgrimage-con-canine would be complete without a romp on Ocean Beach, aka Dog Beach, San Diego’s only 24-hour sandy strand where dogs are permitted to tear joyously around off-leash. more »

Put Paws on Pillows in San Diego

Pendry San Diego / Photo: Danielle Kogan

So…your pup is coming with you to San Diego and you need a pet-friendly place to stay, preferably one with quick exits to the outdoors for you-know-what. There’s no end of choices in San Diego, whether you prefer to stay in the historic Gaslamp Quarter or somewhere closer to the beach. more »

Chow Down With Your Pup

Lazy Dog Restaurant / Photo: @dogwithaperm

Alfresco dining is a natural in San Diego’s mild climate, and virtually every restaurant in town with an outdoor deck or patio welcomes well-behaved canine companions. There’s no more scenic place to start than Pier Cafe, which sits, yes, right on the water at the end of a pier at Seaport Village. The New England-style menu features lots of fish, and the outdoor seating area is dog-friendly. more »

Hop On Over to a Dog-Friendly Craft Brewery

Societe Brewing Company / Photo: @tess.simp

In the past few years, brewpubs have become all the rage, with more than 1,000 of them springing up across the state. So many are in San Diego that the city proudly calls itself the “Craft Beer Capital of America.” The main attraction is beer, of course, but another plus is that almost all of them are dog-friendly. more »