The land for this world-famous Balboa Park was set aside in 1868. In 1910 a contest named the developing park in honor of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. Dogs are allowed on trails throughout the 1400-acre park and there are also a pair of 24-hour dog parks: a large grassy area on Balboa Drive at El Prado, on the south side of Cabrillo Bridge, and at Morley Field on the east side of the park northwest of the tennis courts. Grape Street Park is designated as a dog-off-leash area during the following times: Monday-Friday, 7:30-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-9:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 4:00-9:00 p.m.

Just northeast of San Diego you can hike with your dog on the trails of Mission Trails Regional Park. Dating back as far as 8,000 B.C., this was the land of the the mighty Kumeyaay Nation with 18 communities spanning California and Mexico, 12 in San Diego County alone. Established only in 1974 on the site of Old Mission Dam, the park