1. Fiesta Island

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San Diego, CA

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Fiesta Island

4.3 (394 reviews)
Open • 4:00 am - 10:00 pm

Fiesta Island Photos

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Sunset
Abigail P.

This is my favorite spot to watch the sunset in the city You can drive your car right up to the water so close you can splash you feet in it. I really enjoy coming here after a long week to unwind. Only annoying part is the loud music form people who are smoking or drinking. But besides that occuring I enjoy coming here Will be back again

Kandy F.

We were meeting our cousin for a dog walk and decided to come early and check out the entire area. We drove all around and followed the one way loop. We then came back to park and walked around. You can walk, go on a bike ride, or go into the water. We saw people on their kayaks and jet skiing. We saw different areas for a bonfire. Lots of people laying on blankets taking in the water views with a book!! Families having a picnic enjoying family time. There were groups doing stretches and yoga. It's a 4.2 mile loop trail for your walks, runs, or a beautiful scenic drive!! There's bathroom available as well. Bring lots of water! Hydration is a must when walking or running. Horse back riding is also permitted. We didn't see anyone on horseback. Overall, a nice park to enjoy. I'd bring lots of blankets. We had a tarp to put on the ground. Then a blanket on top so we didn't stick to the tarp! Light blanket to cover when the sun goes down! The other side has a large off leash dog park to walk and run! We really enjoyed this area. There's probably more that we need to discover!!!

Britt S.

One side is super crowded and another side is quieter. We spent time on the quiet side. I was able to just sit and meditate. It was peaceful

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Dog park

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

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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.… 

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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Balboa Park - Outside the Botanical Garden

Balboa Park

4.8(2.9k reviews)
4.8 mi•Balboa Park

loved everything they offered at this park. the best part was there was no admission fee. so great…read moreexperience our overnight stay in san diego and able to walk around this beautiful park. such great architecture. we werent able to venture the whole park but gives us a reason to come back ! highly recommend. prepare to walk use some good comfortable foot wear. i wore sandals and it was tolerable. make sure to bring water. we didn't necessarily need too as we only stayed for at least an hour and a half but i didnt see drinking fountains or anywhere to refill so id consider. depending on the time, you do pay for parking. it also depends in where you park so pricing varies. i noticed that there was a lot of runners here to! might come by to do a fun run one of these days when im back in town overall fun experience. would definitely come back and explore more!

Balboa Park is so beautiful and serene. It is filled with gorgeous architecture, historic buildings…read moreand lovely gardens. It is the most picture perfect spot and I really enjoyed walking around here. My favorite spot was the reflecting pool in front of the Botanical Building. It is so picturesque and peaceful. I even spotted a cute little turtle right by the pond. Visiting Balboa Park was a wonderful way to spend the day exploring. It is definitely a spot where I could easily spend several hours . There's plenty to discover here!

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The Children's Park - The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

The Children's Park

4.3(37 reviews)
5.1 mi

We enjoyed the park here! It had more people than usual when we play at parks but it was downtime…read moreand comic con weekend. Great play structures. Built with probably age 7+ in mind but my toddler was able to enjoy everything easily. The slides were metal but it didn't burn anyone going down. I was happy there was a good amount of shade! Bring your own food and snacks. Prices are ridiculous. The ice cream truck was $6 for an ice cream sandwich. Prices are not posted and I didn't have the heart to say nevermind and disappoint the kiddos. Great park!

This is more based on the dog park that's on the same lot as the Children's Park. This one uses…read moreturf, which i find has it's benefits on the days after a rainstorm since it doesn't get muddy. There are four big pine trees with separate retaining walls around three of them for owners to sit down. With it being so close to the bay, there's often a nice breeze that goes through the park. There's no divide between small dogs and big dogs, so it's best to just keep an eye on your dog, and many owners around here are usually respectful. The street parking immediately adjacent to the park is free, however, it has a limit of 30 minutes, and the parking meter workers are strict on it if they're around. I bring my dog here around lunch time because those who live/ work in the area tend to bring their dogs during their break time and my dog gets his socialization time. They close 8am-11am MWF for maintenance/ cleaning. Currently, both gates are broken so it's not as secure as it should be, and who knows when the city will actually fix it. There're a few agility structures and a water dispenser. The children's park itself looks pretty cool for kids with a lot of structures with slides and swings. There's also another separate area with fixed exercise equipment that looks well- maintained. The water feature in the park is a water feature, not a pool.

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The Children's Park - The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

The Children's Park in Downtown, San Diego, CA

The Children's Park - Where can you find a large art sculpture and the many areas made of wood and the climbing is for exercise.

Where can you find a large art sculpture and the many areas made of wood and the climbing is for exercise.

The Children's Park - Childrens park one of the best educational parks and for the many structures you can have fun the whole day.

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Childrens park one of the best educational parks and for the many structures you can have fun the whole day.

Maruta Gardner Playground - Klover & Kai

Maruta Gardner Playground

4.8(29 reviews)
1.9 mi

The most amazing park my toddler and I have ever had the pleasure of visiting- thus far!!!…read more As we were driving to Old Town, we passed by a few playgrounds prompting my little monster's request for some play time. After we were doing doing some basic tourist-y things, I hopped on Yelp in search of a few parks located withing the vicinity. Maruta Gardner Playgound seemed to be the most entertaining and appropriate for my wild child. Parking was plentiful and the size of this particular playground was great. Not only was the look and design very unique, you really couldn't ask for a better view. Seating was plentiful and again, the design of things were so cool. Shade is easily found and the play structure is great for children + adults of all ages. Lastly, there are restrooms and water fountain located not too far. Shout out to Ms. Maruta Gardner!! My daughter and I thank you because this place wouldn't have been possible without you. Your dedications and love for your community was undeniable. Thank you for beautifying everything around you and rest in paradise. 5/5 Stars!! Definitely a must if you are in San Diego!!

This is a fantastic park! Truly has activities for all ages and lots of seating for parents. The…read moreswings and climbing structure are so fun! I also love that it's right across the street from mission beach. We love to walk along the beach then come and play or vice versa. Generally safe area and haven't seen many homeless loitering about. Pretty clean and minimal litter.

Photos
Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

Maruta Gardner Playground - MARUTA GARDNER PLAYGROUND

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Liberty Station NTC Park - the sky looks like this ...possibly due to the wildfires in Pacific Palisades and LA areas

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4.6(175 reviews)
2.7 mi•Liberty Station, Point Loma

Liberty Station NTC Park - Spacious, Scenic, and Full of Life…read more Liberty Station NTC Park is such a huge, beautiful space and truly one of the best multi‑use parks in San Diego. It's home to so many local events -- 5Ks, food festivals, art fairs, adoption events -- and there's always something happening. There's plenty of parking nearby, lots of trees for shade, and a great trail throughout the park for walking, running, or biking. You get gorgeous waterfront views, and the whole area is super dog‑friendly. It's the perfect spot for a family gathering, picnic, birthday celebration, dog day out, or a hot‑girl walk. And one of my favorite things: after hanging out at the park, I love heading to the Liberty Public Market food hall or True Food Kitchen for something to eat. A great, versatile outdoor space that really shows off the best of Liberty Station.

An overdue review for a park my pup and I frequent. There free parking, a lake, fields of grass,…read morecafes, restaurants, a movie theater, art galleries, retail shops, grocery stores, events and walkable pathways. It all sounds perfect with the exception of the airplane noise up above. The San Diego international airport is nearby and the planes pass by so frequently and loudly, you cannot hear. Also, I hate the planes immision of air pollution. Even if you wear your earbuds to cancel the plane noise, the air pollution is more prevalent here :( I like this park, my friends live nearby in Point Loma so we've frequented this park. I suggest you visit but keep in mind the overhead plane noise and air pollution.

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Liberty Station NTC Park
Liberty Station NTC Park
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Fiesta Island - parks - Updated October 2026

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