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Fiesta Island

4.3 (390 reviews)
Closed 4:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Greetings from Fiesta Island in Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
Olga M.

When in San Diego for summer fun, bring your family and friends to Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. At Fiesta Island, you can jet-ski, kayak, paddle board and BBQ etc. There's a section where you can park RV's. There's also a section that's pet and kid friendly. The section we were at, is away from people jet skiing and not dangerous for kids that are kayaking or swimming. Fiesta Island is near Tecolote Park that has two new kids playgrounds. Permits are required for day use or overnight camping and are available for youth organizations only. For permit applications contact the City of San Diego, Park and Recreation Dept., Developed Regional Park Division, 2125 Park Blvd., San Diego 92101. Check it out when in San Diego! Happy Yelping :)

Cali at Fiesta
Eliko S.

I am so lucky to live only 5 minutes from Fiesta Island. I bring my dog here often and she enjoys being off leash, sniffing everything, and having zoomies in the water. In the fenced dog park, we've had the good fortune of nearly always coming across other friendly dogs & dog guardians (with only one exception that happened a few years ago) so I feel like that's been pretty great for us socially. The terrain at Fiesta island is mostly slightly rocky, hard packed sand and looser sand closer to the shoreline. I usually wear flip flops if I'm going to play with Cali in the water, but sneakers or trail shoes can also be practical here to avoid stubbed toes. We can easily get close to 10,000 steps just walking around the perimeter of the dog area. The walking path for all of Fiesta Island is 4.2 miles! In the springtime, the dog park has experienced wildflower superblooms which are magnificent to witness. There are a few benches under the copse of trees, but otherwise, if you want to sit, it'll be on sand or a chair or blanket you brought. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water! It can get very hot, and there's no public potable water in the park. Recreationally, I have also had the pleasure of riding a horse at Fiesta as well. So much fun! Fiesta does mean party after all, right? I've seen all sorts of other recreational things happening at Fiesta, too... kayaking, jet skiing, swimming, grilling, chilling, and enjoying the water. Of course, there are designated fire pits! I've also seen a little 4x4 action on the sand, boating, kiteboarding, and model airplane flying... Fiesta really does have something for everyone. Notes: It can get very busy and crowded in the summer though so I avoid it on days when I know everyone is going to be out! Portapotties here and there... not that many though! "Fiesta Island, situated within Mission Bay, is a sprawling park that attracts numerous charity walks, runs, bicycle races and special events. It is particularly renowned as the host of the annual Over-the-Line tournament. Accessible from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, this peninsula offers a plethora of recreational opportunities. Notably, Fiesta Island welcomes both dogs and horses, making it a pet-friendly haven. Dogs can roam freely, either on or off leash, but owners are kindly reminded to clean up after their pets. On the island, visitors can find the Fiesta Island Youth Camp and the Aquatic Center, which cater to the community's diverse interests and needs. To ensure safety and preserve the environment, fires are permitted exclusively within the city-provided fire rings that dot the island's shoreline. These fire rings operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Portable fire containers and fires directly on the sand are strictly prohibited. For water sports enthusiasts, there is a designated 5 m.p.h. zone on the island's east side, which serves as a favored spot for recreational activities. Additionally, there is a permitted water ski area called Hidden Cove, and those interested in water skiing can obtain permits exclusively from the City of Diego Lifeguards at their headquarters, located at 2581 Quivira Court." (From the San Diego Website)

Jane L.

Afternoon exploration brought us to Fiesta Island. Great and quiet spot to hang with your pup near the water. Unfortunately it was littered with trash in the spot where we were walking and someone had their dog off leash. She called the dog but it did not listen. I ended up picking up my dog and leaving.

Best view of the fireworks
Arnel D.

I used to come here often when I was younger when my uncle owned a boat. I visited recently after a quick trip to Seaworld and decided I wanted to have my kids enjoy the fireworks without the crowd. Drove in and found a nice spot overlooking the water and SeaWorld. Within minutes I was situated with a perfect view for the fireworks. My daughter and son kept saying Wow? It was definitely worth the short drive. I'll be back again for sure. Maybe to set up a bonfire and just sit back and relax. Thanks for all the memories.

Melanie N.

I frequent this location when I go to SD to chill for the day. It's a cool location since it allows guests to park their car nearby the water and it's also free to park! Setting up camp here for the day is fun for some fresh air. Only thing is I do wish they supplied bathrooms like parks and beaches do, that's the only downside!

Practice area is full of shells. Careful with your kites and body parts
Jane A.

KITE BOARDING AND SHELLS For kiteboarding: - if on the water, maybe ok - if practicing off water, beware of shells everywhere I have kite boarded in Long Beach but long forgotten the sport. Years past, my gear has been in storage, and with age nothing gets easier. Although I got IKO certified and went to class - it was wise to hire an instructor for a couple private lessons, in new grounds and new wind, etc. BUT... First time in SD and likely my last!!! I will make do and do in Long Beach moving forward. :: THE EXPERIENCE :: Uhm. First and foremost, likely the wrong instructor. Older guy and an expert at the sport (there are a few of them for hire). I'm there to rekindle the sport not hear about how terrible your experience is on dating site. Who cares??!! I'm not paying yah to attend a pity party. Choose instructor wisely! Practicing off waters was practicing in the middle of Fiesta island.. where there is a huge area of sand (and a gazillion shells). Not fine sand I am use to at Long Beach. I was told to have shoes, so I had my water shoes. It was hot af so I had shorts on... my kite is size 8 and wind wasn't that strong but enough for kite boarders to come out. Without good assistance, my kite picked me up and dragged me through the sand and shells - NOT FUN. The next day, we decided to use my smaller kite size 6. What ticks me off... those shells can f* up your kites. Not worth it knowing the cost of gear you invest in. Made me call it quits in San Diego. Don't feel the space is appropriate for learning. The area is narrow and there are so many people and dogs. A kite going down can easily do a lot of harm to someone. Or if the bridals cut someone. I just see this area as hazardous for beginners. Will take adventures elsewhere.

Flowers in Bloom
Kaylee B.

Beautiful, quaint, well-maintained! I checked out this area for the first time on a Wednesday evening. The island is right off the freeway, so it is very accessible. The drive along the island is great and since I came in the beginning of spring (March 20), the flowers were in full bloom! There is plenty of parking and space so that you can have your privacy if you wish. The water is calm and shallow, resembling the same shore as a lake. We saw people riding jet skis, kayaks, and paddle boards which I would love to try next time I visit! My favorite part was seeing all the dogs that showed up at the beach around 5:30pm. They were splashing around and enjoying the area which made me so happy, especially after a stressful day of work. I'm not sure how busy it gets on the weekends, but would definitely recommend as a nice place to relax, go for a walk, ride a bike, etc to end the day. Another thing to note is that there are no bathrooms on the island, but some portables scattered throughout.

Alycia A.

I loved sitting on the sand and watching the sunset. Major bonus points for this location to be the perfect spot to watch the fireworks from Seaworld for free. What a great show, you have a perfect view of the fireworks! They have porta potties, bbq pits & trash cans in select areas. There is a lot of free parking throughout the entire area. You will see people bbqing, relaxing, paddle boarding and kids playing in the water. The water is fairly still, it was perfect for our small children . I would say the water is definitely not the cleanest, I'm glad we had extra water to hose off with. I would definitely come back again and make a day out of it! Be sure to bring towels, a change of clothes for the littles, sunblock & food!

Notice from someone who received a ticket.
Al A.

Recent report about strict enforcement of closing time. While closing time/locked gate may not have been strictly enforced, now it is. Meaning the current 10pm closing time is just that. If you are not out of the park prior to 10pm, gate closing, rangers will issue you a $52.50 ticket at the gate. Even if you leave close to closing time, when the rangers block all vehicles leaving at exactly 10pm, you may be caught in line. Will be issued a ticket. No exact signage states this other than gate closing at 10pm. To avoid a ticket, ensure you are out of the part well ahead of closing time.

Verona M.

Incredible place to take your pups! They have a beach area for water activities & a fenced dog park area for Fido. We just LOVE bringing our dogs here & come every weekend so that our dogs can have their little off leash fun. The people here are so sweet + friendly, & they have tons of water for your pups. There is just so much room for the dogs to make new friends or play fetch into the ocean. Highly recommend! Then after, you're near ocean beach - so you can stop by there with your furry friends for lunch or for their Sunday market. Just a great way to spend your weekend.

Dog park
Justin F.

Great place to go and hang out for the day. We often use the dog park as our dogs absolutely love it there. It can be hit so we always bring water with us. There are all sorts of other events at fiesta Island like over the line and boat races. It's always best to check if anything is going on as it can get quite busy. Also it's good to check water quality before going in the water.

Tess K.

One of my favorite places in San Diego! You can do so much here... BBQ, Paddle Board, Take a dip in the water, bike, walk your dog... you get the point. My dog also enjoys coming here and splashing around for a few hours. It does get busy in warmer months especially during the weekends. Weekdays are definitely more chill, as well as San Diego's cooler months. It's pretty clean for the most part. Visitors do a pretty good job of cleaning up after themselves and their puppers. There have only been a handful of times (afterMemorial Day, The 4th and Labor Day) when I've noticed trash. So if you haven't visited Fiesta Island yet, you should put it on your list! *Dog & Kid Friendly

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11 months ago

Super fun and clean place to take the dogs. Can go paddle boarding all around the island. Get a spot early.

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1 year ago

Come with your dog to the north side where it's gated and safe Discover this side of fiesta island

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3 years ago

Great spot to walk your dog while visiting. It wasn't super clean the day we went, but we tried to clean up the trash we saw.

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Ask the Community - Fiesta Island

Are they open during a holiday such as Thanksgiving?

Yes of course.

Good time to arrive for 4th of July ? Can I launch my boat on fiesta island?

Yes it's good time. I've seen others launch so not sure why not.

Alcohol allowed at fiesta island?

I'd check the signs to be sure but I wouldn't take alcohol on any beach to be honest.

Can you really drive and park on the beach close to the water?

Yes

Are you allowed to bring horses there? If so where would you park?

Yes. I've seen many people just pull up their equestrian trailers to the shore

What is the current parking situation with getting on the island with dogs?

You can park.

Are there grills here to BBQ?

I didn't notice any.

Are there public restrooms?

Only portable one.

Is there an area where dogs aren't allowed?

Where the "no dogs allowed" signs show.

Can you jet ski here?

I've seen people jet ski yes.

A lot of reviews say to get there early to get a spot on the weekends since it can get crowded.We just want to grab some sand (not the dog parking lot). How early is early? Just looking for a general timeframe since were newbs to this area. Thanks!

You have to be aware if there will be any events going on at the time and date you wanna visit.… Read more

What's a good time to show up with an RV on Fourth of July?

I don't know that there is a good time to bring a RV.

What's a good time to show up with an RV on Fourth of July?

Duplicate question. Please see other one.

Is there grills?

No grills on Fiesta Island, but you can bring your own, or, there are plenty around Mission Bay.

Are you aloud to tent camp overnight?

No. Park closes at 10:00pm and there is a gate.

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Review Highlights - Fiesta Island

It's got lots of space to take a hike and swim while occasionally run into other dogs and their families.

Mentioned in 13 reviews

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