SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego is consistently rated a dog-friendly destination for many reasons, so there's no need for travelers to leave a fluffy family member behind when visiting America's Finest City. With near perfect weather year-round and plenty of wide-open spaces to fetch, sniff and roll around, dogs can have as much fun vacationing in San Diego as their human companions. From pet-friendly hotels, beaches and restaurants to fun dog salons and boutiques, the options are endless for a memorable vacation with the pooch.

Doggone Good Accommodations

Visitors can stay, play and snuggle up with their pups at plenty of San Diego's hotels. Hotel Indigo, or maybe it should be called “Hotel InDogGo,” in Downtown's Gaslamp Quarter, has a Pet Getaway package that includes a welcome treat, dog bed, bowl and free parking for the two-legged parents. In addition, there are no restrictions on the weight, breed, size or number of pets. Nothing is off limits, either, as pets are welcome anywhere throughout the hotel. Also in the Gaslamp Quarter, Hotel Z has plenty of amenities for both dogs and humans, including a Pineapple Pups Package with a discounted pet fee that supplies a dog bed, treats, and a collapsible water bowl and waste dispenser that are yours to keep. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is famous for its expansive property near the bay and Seaport Village and the jaw-dropping views from its 40th-floor lounge, Top of the Hyatt. The landmark hotel is also dog-friendly with a fee, and pooches are welcome on the patio at Sally's Waterfront Dining, the onsite restaurant with views of the Embarcadero, while pet parents enjoy fresh seafood like rockfish and scallop aguachile. Feel free to leave the doggie dishes at home if you're planning a bayside getaway at Loews Coronado Bay Resort — as part of the company's “Loews Loves Pets” program, four-legged guests receive a goodie bag that includes a water and food bowl, plus a handy placemat mat to catch any crumbs. The resort also has several outdoor lounges where leashed dogs are welcome. For those looking to tee off during their stay, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines not only overlooks the world-famous greens of Torrey Pines Golf Course, it has a Pampered Paws Package welcoming four-legged guests. La Valencia is an iconic luxury hotel with views of La Jolla Cove where pups are also treated like honored guests upon check-in and receive a plush bed, branded bandana and tennis ball, and a $25 dining credit from the dog menu during their stay as part of the Pampered Pooches experience.

Unleash the Hounds

San Diego's beaches and parks aren't just for humans to enjoy; canines can sun, run and splash about, too. Pups can practice their doggy-paddle all year round at San Diego's Ocean Beach Dog Beach and Coronado's Dog Beach at the north end of the island. After Labor Day through mid-June, dogs can chase their tails or have a snore-fest on the warm sand at Del Mar Dog Beach. For dogs that aren't a fan of the sand and sea, more land-based off-leash dog parks include Nate's Point in Balboa Park, Capehart Dog Park in Pacific Beach and Doyle Recreation Center in La Jolla. The City of San Diego has an official page so dog owners can sniff out what on- and off-leash parks they'd like to visit.

Pupper Pampering

Whether a purebred pooch or a much-loved mutt, every dog deserves a little bit of pampering. With grooming options that range from neighborhood self-serve washes to upscale pet spas, San Diego offers visiting pets plenty of ways to get gussied up. At the Spawlight Dog Salon and Spa in East Village, dogs can enjoy a variety of spa treatments, including a cleansing paw soak and conditioning and sea salt body scrub. Treat the tail-wagger to a spa day at South Bark in the South Park neighborhood, where they can indulge in the signature blueberry facial. If Fido had too much fun on the beach and needs a deep cleaning before heading back to the hotel, they offer a special after-beach treatment to take care of sandy paws and coats. South Bark has several dog-washing stations if you prefer to DIY — call ahead to see if they have a tub available.

If pup was extra well-behaved during your vacation, take them to Dexter's Deli in North Park, Carlsbad or Del Mar for a fun new toy or treat as a reward. In addition to dog accessories and a wide range of chew toys and dog food, Dexter's has a line of “pupcakes,” cupcakes baked specially for dogs, as well as dog-friendly gelato and whipped cream.

Social Animals

The fun of catching a wave isn't just limited to humans. Furry friends can hang 20, too and it's definitely not something to be missed. Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, the longest running doggie surf competition, happens every year at Del Mar Dog Beach in the late summer/early fall to raise life-saving funds for orphan pets at Helen Woodward Animal Center. The competition is fierce with judges scoring dogs on the length of their ride as well as their technique, enthusiasm and confidence on the board. Holiday vacationers looking to “deck the paws” can head to the Gaslamp Quarter in December for the Holiday Pet Parade, where canines in cheery and colorful fashions proudly promenade through downtown. Padres pups and their paw-rents can enjoy a baseball game at Petco Park's Barkyard. The elevated backyard-inspired setting at Petco Park is a fan favorite and features five semi-private, dog-friendly viewing areas in left-center field for every Padres home game accommodating up to four people and two dogs.

Dog Days

Dogs can double as a workout buddy in San Diego. While hiking and walking are the more traditional methods to break a sweat with a four-legged friend, West Coast Paddle Board Rentals SUP Pups provides the ultimate adventure for guests and their dogs. This unique stand-up paddle board lesson teaches the basics, safety and technique of the fun sport while giving tips and tricks to help dogs enjoy the ride, too. For those looking to get out of their comfort zone, Leash Your Fitness offers a variety of fitness events and workout classes at varying locations throughout San Diego on Saturday mornings where dogs are welcome to join.

No Doggie Bag Needed

Outdoor dining options abound in San Diego thanks to the mild weather, making it the perfect place to take the pooch out for a nice meal. But many San Diego restaurants take it one step further by offering menus designed especially for dogs. Casa de Fred's, a charming café in the heart of Old Town, offers traditional Mexican food and margaritas for people and a daily dog-centric menu that features chicken, fries, scrambled eggs and sliced carne asada. At Bay Hill Tavern in Bay Park, dogs will be pleased with the grilled hamburger patty or chicken breast from the “puppy chow” menu and won't eye your plate of fish and chips or nachos. Slater's 50/50 in Liberty Station also offers a special menu just for dogs — which includes their signature 50/50 burger patty that's a blend of beef and bacon — along with a ton of fun for humans, including over 100 craft and local beers on tap. Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, a dog-friendly chain, welcomes pups on the patio at its Mission Valley location, where they can join their humans for brunch, lunch, or dinner and enjoy their own menu featuring a choice of meat with rice or veggies.

The Little Italy neighborhood is one of the city's hottest dining destinations, and several restaurants in the area, especially along India Street and Kettner Boulevard, have outdoor patios and parklets where dogs are welcome, including Barbusa, Monello, Bencotto, Queenstown Public House and The Crack Shack. Afterward, you can take them over to the Little Italy Dog Park, which is open until sundown. As policies may change, please be sure to call ahead to confirm that your four-legged friend can join you for your meal.

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ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 950 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.

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