One of Cooper and my favorite vacation spots in the summer is Ocean Beach San Diego. You can’t get much more dog friendly than OB, and the vibe is old-school bohemian. Read on to see why you and your four-legged bestie should consider Ocean Beach for your next weekend getaway.

Ocean Beach San Diego is Home to the Famous Dog Beach

Ocean Beach is home to the Original Dog Beach, one of the first off-leash beaches in the country. Established in 1972, you can find it at the end of West Point Loma Blvd, north of lifeguard tower #5. A large rock jetty separates the beach from the entrance to the Mission Bay Channel and offers calm waters for your pup to play in. Dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes will relish running freely on the large sandy beach.

A parking lot is adjacent to the beach, and you can usually find a spot. Street parking is also available. Dogs must be under their owner’s command and be up on all vaccinations. You are required to pick up after your pet. A restroom is located to the south at the OB City Beach. Proceed with caution though, as it can be heavily used.

Feel free to bring a chair, frisbee and a good book, but be prepared to have a few doggy visitors from time to time. If you bring food, you will become even more popular!

Dog Beach is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Next door, leashed pups are allowed on OB City Beach before 9:00am and after 6:00pm in the summer which changes to 4:00pm November through March.

Where to Find the Action in OB

Newport Avenue is where most of the action is in Ocean Beach San Diego. Discover restaurants and shops along the street with the majority being locally owned. In addition, fun events take place throughout the year.

On Wednesdays, browse the Farmers Market between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Stroll through an open-air grocery store full of fresh veggies, baked goods, flowers and more. Artisan food vendors offer to-go fare to take home and savor.

The OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off takes place in June. Over 10,000 people visit this fair for tasty nibbles, art, entertainment and of course, chili!

Mark you calendars now for the OB Oktoberfest and St. Paddy’s O’Beach Party. Both are sure to be a blast.

Another hot spot closer to Dog Beach is Voltaire Street. Here, you will also find a great selection of mom-and-pop shops, businesses and restaurants. It is normally less crowded than Newport Avenue.

I would be amiss if I did not mention the homeless in Ocean Beach. It is true, they do have a homeless population who are quite visible and tend to congregate closer to Newport Avenue. My experience is that if you leave them alone, they leave you alone. That said, use common sense safety precautions like be aware of your surroundings especially at night and keep valuables out of sight.

There are Plenty of Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Ocean Beach San Diego

One of the best things about an Ocean Beach vacation with your pup is the number of dog-friendly restaurants! Some of our favorites include:

• The Joint Sushi & Tapas – Amazing sushi, small plates and sake, dog-friendly patio and menu, wonderful service.
• OB Surf Lodge – Tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner, dog-friendly patio with awesome views, friendly service.
• Original OB Noodle House and OB Noodle House Bar 1502 – Two locations serving incredible Pho and other Asian-Fusion cuisine, peanut butter shots and dog-friendly patios.
• Voltaire Beach House – Great bar food and craft cocktails, engaging staff and one of the most dog-friendly establishments in OB.
• Raglan Public House – New Zealand inspired eats, grass-fed burgers and dog-friendly patio. Love the Kiwi Onion Dip.

In addition to the above, pick up a quick and inexpensive breakfast at one of the many coffee carts scattered around Voltaire Street. Fetch a delicious sandwich from OB Deli before hitting the beach. Online ordering makes it super easy. We Be OB is famous for their panini weenies and smoothies. You can’t skip an original, juicy burger from Hodad’s, but leave Fido at the hotel (or order takeout) as they do not have a patio for dogs.

The above is just a sampling of the restaurants in OB. Cooper and I can’t wait to try more on our next visit.

Finding the Perfect Dog-Friendly Place to Stay

Accommodations in Ocean Beach San Diego are not exactly cheap, but if you do some research, you can find some good values.

Pet parents must check out the Ocean Villa Inn. Steps from Dog Beach, the majority of their dog-friendly rooms open up to a fenced, community dog run. Your pet can roam freely and safely right outside your room. It’s even better for those late-night pee breaks. The location is priceless. Currently undergoing an update, ask for one of the renovated rooms.

There are several properties in Ocean Beach listed on Airbnb. Recently, Cooper and I stayed at the Zen Den, part of the Aloha Shores complex. Suitable for one or two people and a dog, the space is cute, clean and comes with its own private, fenced courtyard. Best, it’s affordable by OB standards. Dog Beach is a short walk away and both Voltaire Beach House and the Original OB Noodle House (see above) are right around the corner. If you need more room, there are a couple of larger bungalows available to book in the complex.

When browsing rentals on Airbnb, always make sure to read the fine print. Some have rules about pets on furniture or leaving pets alone. Others are street parking only which can be tough on the weekends in OB. I always look for a generous cancellation policy just in case plans change.

Adventure Awaits Near Ocean Beach San Diego

While Coop and I love a day at the beach, we are always looking for adventure. We found two companies close to OB that provide an opportunity to get out on the water.

• Eco Boat Rentals in Point Loma has pedal boats in the day and glow boats at night available to cruise around the San Diego Bay for up to two hours. Boats are easy to maneuver, can hold up to three adults and are dog friendly.
• Over in Mission Bay, Aqua Adventures rents dog-friendly kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and hydro bikes for a fun ocean excursion.

Cooper and I can’t wait to hear about your Ocean Beach vacay! Tell us about it in the comment section below.

For another fantastic dog-friendly getaway idea, click here.