North Beach (Dog Run Beach)

No matter what time of year you come to Coronado Island across the bay from San Diego, CA, you can enjoy a romp with your canine best friend on Dog Run Beach.
Todd Sarouhan
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Why you'll love this beach
Why you'll love this beach
Bring Your Dog off leash to North Beach (Dog Run Beach)
North Beach at Coronado
Overview
Things to Do
Explore & Save
Popular Activities
Get There & Parking
Featured Activity
Know Before You Go
Stay Nearby
Similar Beaches

Highlights

Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking
Things to Do
Tips
How to get there
Parking

Overview

North Beach Dog Run Beach CoronadoBody Boarding at Dog Run Beach in Coronado

Dog Beach, also known as Dog Run Beach or North Beach, on Coronado Island , is the perfect stretch of sand for you and your four-footed companion to enjoy in the spirit of togetherness.

No hills to climb, no boulders in the way, this is a wide, flat expanse of beach that dog walkers find irresistible. It is the only beach on Coronado where you can allow your pet to enjoy life off the leash.

Dog Beach is conveniently located in front of Sunset Park at Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Drive on Coronado Island . It is an area at the north end of Coronado Beach dedicated to dog walkers and their canine friends.

At the northernmost end of Dog Beach is Breakers Beach at North Island Navy Base, and only military personnel and their families are allowed to use that stretch of beach.

As you stroll along Dog Run Beach, you have the benefit of scenery that includes the pointed red rooftops of the famous Hotel Del Coronado to the south, and, in the distance, Point Loma topped by the Cabrillo National Monument, which honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore this area in 1542.

Things to Do

Running
Running
Sunbathing
Sunbathing
Swimming
Swimming

Coronado Island, Famous for its Beaches

Sparkling sand of Coronado

The beaches on Coronado Island are consistently voted among the best in America. Many visitors to Coronado Island come back again and again to enjoy the near-perfect California weather and bask in the soft warmth of deep-sand beaches that actually sparkle. That unique golden glitter is the result of flecks of the mineral mica in the sand.

Enjoying Sunset Park

Sunset Park is a large grassy area that has fields often used for soccer and lacrosse practice. There is also a jungle gym and play area for children. Restrooms are available.

Local Tips
Did you know?
Dog Run Beach or North Beach is one of only a handful of beaches in San Diego where dogs can run freely without a leash.

The park is a great place for exercise workouts, for strolling, spending laid-back family time or walking dogs as long as they are on leashes—remember that you can only let them off their leashes when you are on Dog Run Beach.

If you find yourself here late in the day, you might be treated to the sight of a stunning sunset, which is how the park earned its name.

Stay Nearby at Hotel Del Coronado

The Hotel Del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton is the perfect place for you to rest your feet and your dog to rest its paws after running on the beach all day. The Hotel Del Coronado is dog friendly and its amenities will have you returning year after year.

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SeaWorld San Diego
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
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Local Tips
What activities does the Go City San Diego pass include?

There’s a variety of activities included with the Go City San Diego pass such as: The San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, Hiking Tours, Whale Watching, Museum Tours, Speed Boat Adventures & more!

For the most popular attractions and water-sport rentals as well as the biggest discounts, consider the All-Inclusive Pass.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

How to Get There & Parking

Free Parking
Free Parking
Street Parking
Street Parking

Getting to Dog Run Beach

You can access Coronado Island by ferry, but when you have Fido along, driving will probably be your likely mode of transportation.

If you are driving from the north you will use the Coronado Bridge, the sweeping link between downtown San Diego and Coronado Island that curves across San Diego Bay. This 2.12-mile, award-winning span is a renowned landmark that provides stunning views from some 200 feet above the water as you approach the island.

Coronado is less than six miles from downtown San Diego. From 1st Avenue in downtown San Diego, you can follow I-5 south to the Coronado Bridge. The road becomes CA-75 once you are on the bridge. Upon reaching the island, take Orange Avenue, then go north on Park Place. Make a left turn on Isabella, then a right turn on Ocean Boulevard.

Parking and leash rules

Dog Beach is conveniently located in front of Sunset Park at Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Drive on Coronado Island.

Find a spot along Ocean Boulevard as close to the north end as possible, and park for free.

Bear in mind that you must keep your pet leashed until you reach the beach. The area is patrolled 24 hours a day and you could be fined up to $500 for having an unleashed dog on the street.

Featured Activity

Coronado: GPS-Guided Scooter Tour & Round-Trip Ferry
Coronado: GPS Scooter Tour & Ferry
Jump on a fat tire scooter and explore the gorgeous beaches of Coronado! Led by a local guide, this 3-hour tour starts downtown San Diego, then over to Coronado on the ferry, with an included round-trip ticket.
Buy Now

Know Before You Go & Tips

Firepits
Firepits
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
No Alcohol
No Alcohol
No Camping
No Camping
No Glass Containers
No Glass Containers
No Motorized Vehicles
No Motorized Vehicles
No Smoking
No Smoking
Playground
Playground
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
Restrooms
Restrooms
Shade
Shade
Trash Cans Available
Trash Cans Available

Few Things in Advance

Few Restrictions for your Dog

As long as Fido has a current license and no contagious disease, he or she is free to enjoy the beach with you. However, you must be responsible for your canine companion at all times.

There must be no excessive barking or aggressive behavior—and no human aggressive behavior, either.

Clean Up After your Dog

Be prepared to clean up after your pet and, if you need them, dog litter bags are available at the entrance to the beach.

Don’t Feed your Dog at the Beach

Leave the kibbles in the car. You are not allowed to bring pet food or treats onto the beach.

Loving the Benefits of a Dog Friendly Beach

As a dog owner, you want to spend some quality time with your foot-legged best friend, and the beach is the perfect destination for fun and exercise.

However, not every beach in the San Diego area is dog-friendly all day long, which is why Dog Beach is so popular with out-of-town visitors and residents alike.

In addition to enjoying a relaxing, healthy outing with their canine best friend, a stroll along this beach comes with the added benefit of the area’s famous scenery: sun-drenched waters, blue sky and, come evening, another one of those fabulous California sunsets.

North Beach (Dog Run Beach)
is Known For:
Dog Park
Dog Park
Know This:
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Fire Pits
Fire Pits
Lifeguards
Lifeguards
Restrooms Available
Restrooms Available
This Month's Forecast
56°F / 73°F
Sunny in November
Dec
51°F / 68°F
Sunny in December
Jan
51°F / 67°F
Sunny in January
Feb
53°F / 68°F
Sunny in February

Stay Nearby

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