Dog Friendly Hikes in San Diego

As a dog owner myself, I understand the feeling of wanting to take your dog everywhere. You’ll find plenty of dog friendly hikes in San Diego. Just remember to always check the weather before hiking with your dog, especially in the summer. Dogs overheat a lot faster than people do. If the temperature seems warm to you, it’s too hot for your dog. 

There are hundreds of dog friendly hikes in San Diego, including Iron Mountain, Elfin Forest, and Los Penasquitos Canyon. Almost all hikes require your dog to be on a leash. Certain places like California State Parks, Beaches, and Reserves have very strict rules on dogs.

Based on my own experiences and some research, I’ve put together a list of dog friendly hikes in San Diego with descriptions of each. Happy hiking!

List of Dog Friendly Hiking Trails

1. Iron Mountain (moderate)
2. Cowles Mountain (moderate)
3. Double Peak (moderate)
4. Daley Ranch (easy-moderate)
5. Elfin Forest (easy- moderate)
6. Black Mountain Summit (easy- moderate)
7. Los Penasquitos Canyon (easy)
8. Lake Murray (easy)
9. Sunset Trail to Mt Laguna (easy- moderate)
10. San Elijo Lagoon (Easy)

Iron Mountain

• Trail-head: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,125 ft
• Est time: 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: Dirt lot
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

One of San Diego’s most popular hikes, Iron Mountain will reward you with some amazing views. The first ¼ mile is under trees and then the rest is all exposed, so be sure to pack a hat. If you’re hoping to avoid crowds, go at the crack of dawn or sunset. The parking lot will fill up by 9 am on the weekends. Overflow parking is on the side of highway. 

Check out my detailed hiking guide on Iron Mountain here.

Cowles Mountain

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 3.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 849 ft
• Est Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: in the neighborhood
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

Another really popular hike in San Diego. Most people will hike Cowles Mountain from the main trail Which has endless switchbacks. Once I found out about Barkey Way Trail and the Service Road, I never took the main path again. There’s less people going up the backside to Cowles. On a clear day you’ll get views of Lake Murray, downtown San Diego, and the Coronado bridge.

Double Peak- San Marcos

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,036 ft
• Est Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: Small lot. Fills up quickly. Overflow parking in the neighborhood
• Fees: None
• All Trails link

Starting and ending at Discovery Lake is a nice benefit of hiking Double Peak. This hiking trail quickly starts taking you uphill. Unfortunately, part of this trail is alongside a road with bikers and cars. Not the best hiking trail if you’re looking to get away from the city. Pay attention to the signs along the way. There’s several different forks in the hiking path. You’ll find a nice park at the summit with picnic tables and trees for shade.

Daley Ranch- Stanley Peak

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 6.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 918 ft
• Est Time: 3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Parking: Dirt lot. Fills up fast on the weekends. People end up parking about ½ mile away along the road.
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

There’s several different trails here. If it’s your first time I would check out the Ranch House. It’s an easy hike on a paved path. There’s picnic tables at the Ranch House and bathrooms make it a nice rest stop. If you’re looking for a challenge, Stanley Peak is the hike for you. There’s a lot of little trails, making it easy to take a wrong turn so keep the AllTrails map handy. Locals tip: Stanley Peak is best at sunset!

Lake Hodges Overlook- Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,404 ft
• Est Time: 3-4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: Very small lot at the trailhead. Fills up within 15 minutes of opening. There’s an overflow parking lot off the main road. 
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

There’s a total of 11 miles of hiking trails. Great views at the summit overlooking Lake Hodges. The first 1.5 miles of this trail is the most intense. It’s called the “Way Up Trail” for a reason. You’ll gain a lot of elevation gain quickly. There’s picnic tables along the hiking trail to stop and take a water break at. 

This is one of the only dog friendly hikes in San Diego I’ve come across that allows you to have your dog off leash. It’s only a small section of the hike so make sure to read the signs to find out where you can let your dog loose.

The reserve opens at 8 AM and they close the parking lot 30 minutes before sunset. They post the exact closing time at the entrance.

Black Mountain Summit via Service Road

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 3.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 748 ft
• Est Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: in the neighborhood
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

One of my favorite sunset hikes in San Diego. Even better, that it’s dog friendly. From the top you can see the hot air balloons in Del Mar. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the ocean. One of those hikes you’ll keep coming back to.  An alternative path is Nighthawk trail to Black Mountain Summit. This hiking path is a 1/2 mile longer and rockier than the service road.

Los Penasquitos Canyon

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 6.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 157 ft
• Est Time: 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Parking: Lot
• Fees: $3
• AllTrails Link

This is an easy hike, with very little elevation gain. A popular family friendly hike, that leads to a small waterfall. Make sure to check your dog for ticks afterwards! This hike isn’t far from the city, but it’ll surprise you with lush oak trees, a creek, and a wetland environment. You can spot frogs in the streams and see so many different types of birds and plants that thrive in this environment. You’ll still be within earshot of the Miramar airport, so don’t expect complete tranquility on this hike.

Soon after starting this hiking trail you’ll see a single track taper off on the right. Take that trail instead of the main trail to avoid the mountain bikers. The small waterfall and oak trees make this a nice hiking trail but be aware of poison oak! 

Lake Murray

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain:108 ft
• Est Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Parking: paved lot
• Fees: None
• AllTrails Link

Less of a hike, more of a walking path. It’s all paved and does not loop around the entire lake. It’s an out and back trail. Lake Murray is an easy, dog friendly hike in San Diego making it great for the entire family. There’s some nice picnic tables along the lake and you can rent small boats and kayaks. You can also go fishing here. They sell fishing licenses at the concession stand. Dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed in the water or within 50 feet of the water. Open sunrise to sunset 7 days/ week.

Sunset and Big Laguna Loop

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 6.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 731 ft
• Est Time: 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Parking: On the shoulder of the main road
• Fees: Adventure pass required. You can purchase a day pass for $5 online
• All Trails Link

Located in Cleveland National Forest, this hike is great to get away from the city. In the fall the trees will change color and in the spring the meadows will be full and the grass will be green again. You can shorten this hike to just about 4 miles (All Trails Link) It’s mostly flat and a great option if you want to bring kiddos. There’s also a good amount of shade on this hiking trail. 

San Elijo Lagoon- Cardiff

• Trailhead: Google Maps Link
• Distance: 2.5 miles
• Est Time: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy
• Parking: Small lot next to the Nature Center. Overflow parking across the street at San Elijo Water Reclamation.
• Fees: None
• Bathrooms available at the Nature Center
• AllTrails Link

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve has quickly become one of my favorite places for a quick, easy walk. It’s a hidden gem in the middle of a small beach city. San Elijo Lagoon is great for the entire family, including kids.

Although it’s small, there are a handful of other trails here. You could easily extend the hike to a total of 3 miles if you choose to do the entire loop around the lagoon rather than an out and back. You could also shorten the hike to 0.6 miles by walking the Nature Center Loop. Local’s tip: start at the nature center (in the google maps link above) rather than the Rios West trailhead. Take an extra 10 minutes to check out the nature center too!

Places you cannot hike with your dog

California State Parks, Beaches, and Reserves all have very strict rules on dogs. At Torrey Pines State Reserve, dogs are not allowed in the Reserve or anywhere on the beach. Why? According to the Torrey Pines Reserve website, “dogs frighten wildlife and their waste causes nesting animals to abandon their young.”

Other places, like Cuyamaca Rancho State Park allow dogs only in campgrounds, picnic areas, and on paved roads. Are there any dog friendly hikes in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park? There’s 1 dog friendly hike in this state park. Cuyamaca Peak from the paved Fire Road is the only dog friendly hike at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Click here for the All Trails map.