Best Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Best Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

17 Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego for a Date With Your Furry Friend

Bring Your Pup and Kick Back at These Dog-Friendly Hot Spots in San Diego

Grab your dogs and get out on the town—and we don’t mean your favorite group of friends. Though they’re welcome to come too, this one specifically goes out to our four-legged, furry pals. Warm weather calls for outdoor spaces to roam, and outdoor spaces call for all of the city’s most curious pups. The best of those spaces come with delicious food and drink options, obviously—and we’ve done the work to nail down 17 of the best dog-friendly patios in San Diego for a day of sunshine and good times.

 

The Duck Dive

Best Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

You certainly won’t be spotting many ducks at Pacific Beach’s Duck Dive—but there will be plenty of pet-worthy dogs. Sitting central to the action on Mission Blvd, grab brunch, lunch or dinner at this open-air venue that features a central bar and a bumpin’ vibe. To get a real taste of what they’re about, bring Fido along to your weekend brunch with the main event: bottomless mimosas for the table and a decadent Benedict just for you. Keep it going with a round of Pacificos for the group, and we guarantee you’ll start the weekend off on the right foot—which in our book, is a proper waddle.

Location: Pacific Beach

 

Park 101

Credit: Briley Pizzelanti

Don’t tell your dogs—but you’re about to take them to the city’s finest P-A-R-K. Though it may not be what they’re used to: the humans get most of the treats at this park. That’s not to say your pup isn’t in for a good time too. Prepare to lounge, sip and savor at this dog-friendly, Carlsbad neighborhood staple. Order a rack of homestyle BBQ ribs or a plate of pulled pork while your dog soaks in the afternoon of sunshine and grass on their 8,000-square-foot, multi-level patio. Another highlight: there’s more than 32 local beers to try on tap.

Location: Carlsbad

 

Sally’s

Credit: Kimberly Motos

With bay breezes, marina views and plates that flirt between Baja and the Mediterranean, Sally’s at the Manchester Grand Hyatt is as much a playground for foodies as it is a chill spot for pups. The reimagined space leans into San Diego’s open-air lifestyle, making it easy to sip, savor and watch sailboats drift by while your dog settles in at your side. From crab cakes and lobster rolls to Baja-style tacos and a seafood cobb stacked with shrimp and scallops, the menu feels coastal and indulgent without being fussy. Weekend brunch brings mimosas and ocean light, while Wednesday nights feature acoustic tunes on the marina and a signature ā€œSunset Saluteā€ (half-off desserts if you stay for golden hour). Come hungry, bring your pup and toast the good life, dockside.

Location: Marina District

 

Mavericks Beach Club

Possibly the hottest spot Pacific Beach has to offer, Maverick’s Beach Club was designed with San Diego’s prime weather in mind: much of this 15,000-square-foot, multi-level bar is made up of an open-air patio. This makes it highly agreeable for humans and dogs alike—you get to chow down and mingle at your favorite hot spot while your furry friend can bask happily in the sunshine. Kick back, order a few Pacificos, and catch any of your favorite sports being played on one of their 40 high-definition TVs—your dog will be happy it isn’t your living room, for once.

Location: Pacific Beach

 

Petco Park

Credit: San Diego Padres

Want to bring your best bark to the ballpark? We don’t blame you—we’d take our dogs everywhere, if we could! Petco Park now offers ā€œBarkyard” suites: a backyard-inspired, dog-friendly spot to take your furry friends! Located in left field, each ticket includes four human seats and space for two dogs. The semi-private suites include shade, in-seat service and pet-friendly turf to make a comfortable viewing experience for all. Once you’re in your seats, order a Pacifico and watch as your dog takes in the sight of their first San Diego Padres game. They’ll be keeping their eyes on the ball better than anyone, guaranteed.Ā 

Location: East Village

 

Happy Does Bar

Best Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego
Credit: Happy Does

Happy is as happy does. Get your dose of good vibes and bring your pup along to Happy Does Bar, a smile-inducing bar and restaurant in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. They happily welcome you and your furry friend—because let’s be real, what animal is happier?! Catch a Padres game at Happy Does Bar, which is just outside of Petco Park, or attend one of their outdoor patio parties with sounds from local DJs. They also have karaoke Thursday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Pregame your performance by sipping on one of their many refreshing cocktails and order a Smash Diego burger for a flavorful, smashin’ good time.

Location: Gaslamp Quarter

 

The Waverly

Best Dog-Friendly Patios in San Diego
Credit: Waverly Restaurant and Lounge

It’s time to give your pup a taste of the finer things in life. The Waverly is a dog-friendly, Tulum-inspired restaurant serving specialty cocktails in an open-air setting. Beautifully decorated from entry to exit with soft pastels and botanical art surrounding each seat, this Cardiff restaurant is uber Insta-worthy. The menu sticks to progressive American dishes; you’ll find things like their grilled asparagus salad and double-double burgers to pair with your refreshing cocktails. It’s a place to make sure your pup is on their ā€œgood-boyā€ behavior!

Location: Cardiff

 

Tremont Collective

Oceanside’s hodge podge of lifestyle retail, coffee and cuisine, events and more are housed at the semi-new Tremont Collective. It’s a place for the wild to wander until they find something they like—and if that doesn’t sound like your four-legged friend, we don’t know what does. Grab a coffee at Communal Coffee and continue on to shop something sporty at Brixton before spending as much time as necessary sippin’ slow at Bottlecraft. The best part of it all? You can spend as much time walking around as your furry friend needs, and there are plenty of cute patio spaces to lounge.

Location: Oceanside

 

Sun Deck at Hotel del Coronado

Credit: Hotel del Coronado

If Coronado makes you dream of postcard-perfect SoCal, the legendary Hotel del Coronado brings that vision to life. Summer shines brightest on the Sun Deck Bar & Grill, where garden-to-glass cocktails pair with coastal plates cooked to perfection. The vibe feels effortless, with cushy lounge chairs, glowing fire pits, and sweeping views of Coronado Beach. Even better, pups are welcome to join the scene. Start with a refreshing Sun Deck Lemonade. Then for a palate pleaser, order a plate of local tuna crudo while your pup revels in the summer breeze. You’re on island time now.

Location: Coronado

 

Cocina De Barrio

When life calls for a chilled margarita and some fresh air, head to Cocina De Barrio for a relaxing patio experience. Bring your pup along and enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner at one of their San Diego locations. With spots in Hillcrest and Point Loma, plus a new location coming to Encinitas, there’s always a place to indulge. Specializing in urban Mexican-style plates, start with the mango-habanero aguachile followed by their beloved tacos de birria. Accompany your meal with a high-quality tequila or mezcal margarita to make it one to remember!

Locations: Hillcrest, Point Loma, Encinitas

 

Morning Glory

Credit: Zack Benson

Finally, a brunch that beckons your furry friend—and a stellar one, at that. Start your day right at Morning Glory, a flamboyant yet chic ’80s-inspired diner with a menu to match. Perched above the central piazza in Little Italy, it’s the perfect spot to fuel up for the weekend. Sip on creative cocktails and indulge in specialty dishes like their famous soufflĆ© pancakes. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the charming, dog-friendly neighborhood.

Local Insight: There are no reservations. Get there early to put your name down—there’s almost always a lengthy wait time!

Location: Little Italy

 

Hudson & Nash

Waterfront patio, downtown skyline, happy pups. Check, check, check. Hudson & Nash at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront brings breezy bay views and a something-for-everyone menu that leans coastal without trying too hard. Swing by for brunch and say yes to blueberry pie pancakes or chilaquiles, then circle back at sunset for Baja fish sandwiches, a Pacifico sea bass over pozole verde and citrusy cocktails like the Balboa Botanical. Your pup claims the shady spot while you sip a margarita sandĆ­a and watch the bay do its thing.That is peak San Diego energy.

Location: East Village (Hilton San Diego Bayfront)

 

Harbor & Sky

Credit: Harbor and Sky

San Diego at golden hour hits different up here. Harbor & Sky is a laid-back rooftop lounge with sweeping bay and skyline views, the kind of perch where pups flop into the breeze while you chase sunset with something tall and citrusy. Order shareables and small plates with a SoCal twist, then lean into cocktails like the Midway Margarita or Harbor Paloma as boats glide past the Embarcadero. It is pet friendly, people friendly and pure rooftop vibes. Come for happy hour and stay for the skyline.

Location: Embarcadero (SpringHill Suites Downtown/Bayfront)

 

Cody’s La Jolla

Best Brunch La Jolla
Credit: Mary Carol Fitzgerald

If your perfect morning stars both a coastline view and a wagging tail, Cody’s delivers. Think mid-century Palm Springs style, salty ocean air and a dog-friendly patio that feels built for lingering. Regulars rave about the crab cake Benedict and the lineup backs it up with blueberry pancakes, chilaquiles and that challah French toast with mascarpone honey butter. Add crisp salads and serious sandwiches to the mix, then toast the day with a Pomegranate Mimosa and an ocean breeze. Service is warm, the vibe is easy and your pup gets prime people-watching from the shade.

Make it a date with your dog. Linger over coffee, share a few fries with your co-pilot, then stroll to La Jolla Cove for sea-spray and sunset color. Brunch, a walk and your best friend at your feet sounds like La Jolla love to us.

Location: La Jolla

 

Shorehouse Kitchen

Sunshine, surf and a patio full of happy pups. Welcome to Shorehouse Kitchen, where brunch actually means treats for everyone. Humans can crush classics from blueberry-studded pancakes to peppery carnitas chilaquiles, but the real flex is the doggie menu. Think purified water on request, bacon crumbles as a treat, a Brunch Bark Bowl with scrambled eggs and bacon, a lean ā€œCalifornia K-9ā€ with grilled chicken and egg whites and Fido’s Finest, a grass-fed beef patty with turkey and bacon bits after 11 a.m. The only house rule is to keep all four paws on the ground so everyone eats in peace. Fetch a sunny table, order another latte and let your co-pilot handle cleanup duty on those fallen hash browns.

Locations: La Jolla Shores, Carlsbad (Village)

 

Selva Coffee House

Set inside Terra Bella Nursery, you and your pup can sip under a canopy of palms and pothos while the city fades to quiet at Selva Coffee House. Order a peachy matcha at quarter sweet for a smooth, balanced sip, then take a slow lap through the plants while you wait. It feels less like a coffee run and more like a mini retreat with your co-pilot in tow. Leashed dogs are welcome, so make it a mellow morning or a golden-hour stroll. On weekends, Selva Nights keeps the garden glow going after dark with later hours and twinkle lights. Plant therapy, good coffee and a happy pup. Yes, please.

Location: Midway District (inside Terra Bella Nursery)

 

The GƤrten

Credit: Luke Schmuecker @farnamwest

Part beer garden, part hangout, 100% pup friendly. The GƤrten in Bay Park is a communal outdoor playground where four local stars share one leafy patio: Deft Brewing pours Euro-inspired beers, Lost Cause Meadery gets creative with honey, Oddish Wine serves vibrant minimal-intervention and Pizza Cassette wood-fired pies that keeps pups’ noses twitching and the patio buzzing. Grab a table under the string lights, leash your co-pilot and build your own progressive tasting. Pints here, a mead there, a splash of pĆ©t-nat, then a hot honey slice to seal the deal. The vibe rolls from sunny to starry with live music most weeks. Open mic Wednesdays at 6 p.m., bands Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sunday sets at 5:30 p.m. There’s plenty of seating, shade and heaters, plus a hop garden for good measure.Ā 

Location: Bay Park (off Morena Blvd)

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Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.

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A California local, Kathleen Hokit grew up on a farm but spent every chance she could at the beach. After earning her graduate degree in the social sciences in Finland, she built a 17+ year career writing and editing across lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. A longtime magazine lover, she now lives the dream as part of the editorial team at LOCALE. When she’s not on deadline, she’s hiking or sneaking in a beach day with her husband and son. Kathleen loves all things art—from writing and photography to spending time on the dance floor, where she teaches ballet to everyone from tiny tots to grown-ups on their pas de bourrĆ©e path.

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