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San Diego is exceptionally pet friendly, even at the beach. Though dogs are banned from most public beaches, they can race from sand to sea at a few specific spots. Some say the section of the public beach beside the MISSION BAY JETTY in Ocean Beach was San Diego’s original dog playground, and it’s still one of the most popular in the county. Nearby FIESTA ISLAND is beloved by dogs and their human companions for its great expanse of sand edging Mission Bay. You can count on finding lots of large, active canines here. The north end of CORONADO’S BEACH, often included in Top 10 lists, is open to dogs 24/7. DEL MAR’S DOG BEACH, near the Del Mar Race Track, is open from just after Labor Day until mid June.