Yes, at Cardiff State Beach: Cardiff Reef and Seaside (south of Tower 16): leashed, 6 feet or shorter. Everywhere else on the sand in Encinitas and Cardiff, no dogs.
Water today near the dog-friendly sand: Charthouse Parking under an advisory; Las Olas (Georges) under an advisory; San Elijo Lagoon Outlet under an advisory; Seaside State Park under an advisory (County of San Diego, Mon 5:17PM). Ocean water today.
From each beach's operator; posted signs win if anything differs.
Beach by beach
| Beach | Dogs? | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff State Beach: Cardiff Reef and Seaside south of Tower 16 | Yes | Leashed, 6 feet or shorter source |
| San Elijo State Beach Cardiff, by the campground | No | Dogs in the campground only, not on the beach source |
| Every City of Encinitas beach and beach access north of San Elijo State Beach to the Leucadia city line: Moonlight, Swami's, Beacon's, Stone Steps, D Street, Grandview | No | No dogs source |
Where your dog can run off-leash today (Tuesday)
- Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park, Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Dr: 8am to sunset daily; closed Thursdays 1 to 3pm. About 2 acres, with areas for small and timid dogs. The City's page lists a fall maintenance closure (October 6 to November 3 in one place, October 12 to November 10 in another): call 760-633-2761 before you go.
- Olympus Park, Olympus St and Piraeus St: Dawn to dusk daily. A fenced quarter-acre dog park for large and small dogs.
- Encinitas Viewpoint Park, Cornish Dr and D St: no off-leash hours today
- Sun Vista Park (east), 2011 Avenida La Posta: no off-leash hours today
- Orpheus Park, 482 Orpheus Dr: no off-leash hours today
- Mountain Vista trail (segment 72), 1679 Mountain Vista Dr, under the power lines: Sunrise to sunset
The full week
| Place | Off-leash hours |
|---|---|
| Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Dr | 8am to sunset daily; closed Thursdays 1 to 3pm |
| Olympus Park Olympus St and Piraeus St | Dawn to dusk daily |
| Encinitas Viewpoint Park Cornish Dr and D St | Mon 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Wed 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Fri 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Sun 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm |
| Sun Vista Park (east) 2011 Avenida La Posta | Mon 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Wed 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Fri 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm; Sun 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm |
| Orpheus Park 482 Orpheus Dr | Mon 6 to 7:30am, 3 to 8pm; Wed 6 to 7:30am, 3 to 8pm; Fri 6 to 7:30am, 3 to 8pm; Sun 6 to 9am, 3 to 8pm |
| Mountain Vista trail (segment 72) 1679 Mountain Vista Dr, under the power lines | Sunrise to sunset |
Always
- Dogs on a 6-foot leash are welcome at every Encinitas park and trail; keep them out of posted sensitive habitat.
- No dogs on artificial turf at athletic fields.
- License your dog: the San Diego Humane Society runs licensing for Encinitas.
Every dog-friendly beach in the county · Del Mar Dog Beach (off-leash in the off season) · parking.
Questions? Text PJ.
Sources: City of Encinitas, Animal Services (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, 760-633-2740); California State Parks pages for Cardiff and San Elijo State Beaches. Checked October 13, 2026.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · every 2027 Medicare plan · is my medication recalled? · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25. Your parent lives here and you don't? The Parent Check-In Plan, $25 a month.
Questions people ask
Are dogs allowed on Encinitas and Cardiff beaches?
Only at Cardiff State Beach: Cardiff Reef and Seaside (leashed, 6 feet or shorter). San Elijo State Beach: dogs in the campground only, not on the beach. Every City of Encinitas beach and beach access: no dogs.
Is Cardiff State Beach dog friendly?
Yes, at Cardiff Reef and Seaside, south of Tower 16, on a leash no longer than 6 feet (California State Parks). San Elijo State Beach allows dogs in the campground only, not on the beach.
Where can my dog run off-leash in Encinitas?
The Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park at Encinitas Community Park (8am to sunset, closed Thursdays 1 to 3pm), the Olympus Park dog park (dawn to dusk), and set hours at Viewpoint, Sun Vista and Orpheus parks and the Mountain Vista trail.
Know someone who needs this?
Got a question about this? Ask PJ a question. A real person in Solana Beach texts you back.
Something changed here? Text PJ the fix: if it changes this page, you get $5. How it works.
Spotted something new around town? Text it in. What do you want to see here? Ask PJ for a page. No login, a real person reads it.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.