The park is ok, nothing special. The space is too small for large and small dogs, yes only one space for both. The park could use a bit more maintenance. there is some grass but must of the park is dirt. There is one water station for the dogs and it works well. If you are nearby, it's fine for a quick visit, but I would not go out of my way to come here. read more

Maybe cleaning was missed that week, first time at this park and I expected better I guess.

I'm new to the area and have been checking out parks and dog parks to bring my two Labradors to. This one is definitely at the bottom of the list because it's just a dirt square. It's small and sort of run down. You're better off going to a real park with grass read more

Epic fail. With so much space why is the little dog park so small. And the large dog park is a field of dirt. Totally gross. I would have expected more from San Clemente. Seems like a dog park in East LA. Even more weird are the people there. So awkward and judgey. Would not recommend if you're in the area visiting and looking for a nature score on YELP. Steer clear. read more

This is a great dog park. I have only been on the large dogs side, but it is very well maintained and thought out. There are several stations with pick-up bags and covered trash cans. Benches are also scattered throughout, with one main area that is shaded by canopy and has tables. There is a dog friendly water fountain (pours into a floor level bowl). And there are 3 fire hydrants! Whenever I go to this dog park, people are always friendly. This morning I met a group of women who were obviously regulars, hanging out and laughing under the canopy. It has a very nice feeling. The view of the hills/Camp Pendleton is amazing too. If you feel like getting exercise too, there are trails going around the large dog area that head down into the hills. Watch out for cyclists! read more

San Clemente Dog Park - On the fence of the "Big Dog" area - Dog Parks Near Me - San Clemente, California

It's true the small dog park is primarily occupied by owners of big dogs who say "my dog is nice so its ok". I have a big dog. He is nice. But I take him to the big dog park. When he was a puppy, I did politely ask the "nice big dog" owners to let my dog play. Call me rude... There are a lot of files but when it's 90 degrees and there is dog shit in the air, you're gonna get flies. Don't own a horse if you are offended by flies. You can pick up all of the dog shit and there will always be flies so deal with it. The big dog park has no grass. It has that crushed rock substance. It doesn't get too muddy but it's dusty. I take the more rude approach. I go to the SC beach trail and leave him off the leash for the most part. Give me a ticket. (Maybe you'll clean up the homeless mess there first.) read more

I go here frequently. I like it a lot and so does my large dog. I've found people very cool for the most part. There are some locals there that are highly opinionated and never stop talking. I know who they are and avoid. The park across the street is for smaller dogs. Often people bring their tiny dogs with the large. I guess that is at their own risk. I took my big dog to small park when no big dogs are in the designated space. I always ask permission to come in and to make sure it's ok with everyone there. Twice I was invited in and once a woman didn't want me to go in. I respectfully left and clearly understood her views. No worries. Just ask first if you've got a big dog going to small park. read more

Dirt Park We're stuck using this dog park because it's the only one local, but I have to agree with others, it's all dirt and the flies are ridiculous during summer. We use the small dog park and the entire park is on a slope. It also has hardly any shade. It's obviously very poorly maintained in my opinion. read more

I ended up at the park because the traffic on the 5 freeway was horrible and I wanted somewhere dog friendly to hang out at. As you may guess, there are not too many options. First Impressions: This place is a pain to get to and there isn't a lot of parking. But its a dog park, so its not that popular. There is a small dog park and a big dog park. The small dog section is well maintained and has grass. The big dog park is huge, but it is a big dirt lot so there so you should expect that you dog gets dirty. There is seating for owners, trails and beautiful mountains to look at. As with most dog parks, there is no bathroom, so you would be advised to go before taking your pup out for a stroll. Overall, this isn't a bad option for someone who is local, but I wouldn't make a point to go a great distance. read more

This review is for the small dog side, as I haven't been across the way to where the big dog park area is. Let me just say, it's great that they have these two areas separated - I find the fence fighting and carrying on that goes on when the big dogs go past the small dogs very annoying. There is a nice water fountain, a table, a bench, and a couple of poop-bag stations. The table area is covered for shade and they maintain the grass very well. The size is decent, and the people I've encountered here have all been really great. An added bonus is the fantastic view of the hills. When I'm up for the drive, I'll definitely be back here. Most importantly, my dogs love it too! read more

My in-laws live in the area, so I wanted to check out the park. There were a lot of large dog breeds in the small dog area (I have three small dogs), which wouldn't be terrible, except there were a few owners who just didn't watch their dogs, and made the experience unpleasant. There was one woman with two large dogs (one black lab, one other large dog) who spent more time on her phone than watching her dogs. Because she wasn't interacting with her own dog, her black lab kept stealing my dog's ball when I would throw it. Her dogs would also jump up on me (I'm 9 months pregnant) and she would just call for them to get down, without doing anything else. It's really too bad because it's an ok dog park - just stupid owners who are ruining it for the other patrons. read more

I loved that we have a dog park in my hometown but it is lacking in every way. The big dog side is all dirt. Most of the dogs who frequent it a very big and aggressive. Today my 10 month old Golden Doodle puppy was side swiped by a German Shepard and then 2 of them pinned him down and bit and barked at him. I mentioned I was concerned they said "it's puppy play" the 2nd time was worse......I left. The small dog side has very mean and vicious little dogs and owners who don't interact with their dog or the other people. I had an incident a few weeks ago bringing in my dog to the small side & a French Bull dog was leaving. The Frenchie bit off my dogs nose and the owner side "your dog is bleeding". After the Frenchie left we proceeded into the park and the people told me they asked the lady to leave with her dog because he was being aggressive. Wish they had told me. The condition of both parks are horrible, little flies, poop, huge water puddles, holes, the water bowls don't drain the water just sits. Shame on San Clemente for not keeping an eye on this place. I am off to the dog park in Laguna Beach. They do everything right! read more

We took our 2 year old lab to the dog park for the first time and he had a great time. The only complaint is that the grass pretty much all dead, but what can you expect. We will go back as our pup had fun. read more

Took my pups to the San Clemente Dog park around 1pm today. There were a few people and dogs. There's some grass but also large patches of dirt. They have one picnic table and bench area along with a dog water fountain. My dogs are small and fit through the entrance when the gate was closed. I'd take my dogs back again. It could use better landscaping, and more seating for the dog owners. read more

The smaller dog park has been taken over by big dogs and we can never bring our dog in because he's smaller and gets trampled. We're always disappointed when we have to turn around and leave after getting there. I hope this review saves you a trip if you'll have the same issue. read more

I missed this park on the first visit. Well actually, I saw the parks, but missed the parking lot. That's because there is no parking lot. You park along the street before you get to the parks. Awkward. The big dog side needs some serious TLC. It's one big dry dirt bed. The small dog area is much better with grass. Both have seating for humans and an overhead shade over the table. It seems the two parks aren't really divided by size of the dog, but rather the disposition of the dog. The more docile big dogs play in the small dog section, while the large more active dogs can be found in the large dog section. Seems to work. I have taken my daughter's small dog to play in the large dog area with a few large dogs without any problem when the small dog area was empty. There were a few occasions in the small dog section where scuffles between dogs occurred but it wasn't between dogs of different sizes. It was between two smaller dogs and one dog in particular. But all in all I think the owners manage the canine playtime pretty well. I even felt welcomed by the humans and engaged in small talk from time to time. read more

Dazey, my mixed-breed, absolutely LOVED it and pranced around happily (18lbs/18" high) as we engaged other dogs in our games of fetch. We went at 6PM on a Monday to just the Small Park: green grass (new sod), fresh water from a small fountain you can control, seating for owners under a blue canopy, shade trees that cast morning/evening shadows nicely, spare tennis balls strewn about, parking is fine (curb), plenty of poo-bags and poop bins -- this park has all the great essentials done well, IMO. Very clean when i was there, too. I disagree this park is "going downhill fast" or that you should "steer clear." I think it's terrific! A gorgeous vista. Beautiful fresh air. And it's a direct drive to "The 5," too. The park's footprint is in an "L" shape. If you perceive your pup's anxious...by all means... just get him/her over to the other side of the "L"...! There's room for all. Yes... we had 3 or 4 dogs who weighed 40-50 lbs. each... not "small"...but they were well-behaved, jolly, happy, athletic dogs who wanted to play fetch and run. Harmonious! Lovely owners! Dazey got a great workout. As I type this review -- she is sound asleep! I don't think little kids in dog parks is ever a good idea. Your dog has its own ideas about your children, as do other dogs and THEIR family's kids. Don't put them in a challenging situation. Just have the dog park be about your dog having his/her own fun with other dogs! As so many of us already know: the dog reflects the owner. Thug dogs, fit dogs, neurotic dogs, happy dogs, messed-up dogs, gentle dogs, etc. And take note of when you visited! There are and always will be little collections of residents from the area who do, indeed, "hold court" at their neighborhood dog park. They always come at a certain time of day, have specific places they sit (and are territorial about it), they are like a club of their own...and some just don't seem particularly engaged in what their dogs are doing in the field. Well...here's an idea: just DON'T VISIT at those times! Vamoose! Pick another time. These folks are entitled to the park and they have their own way of Doing The Park. You have your way of doing it, too. Just go another time... San Clemente, thanks for this sweet little place...but I fear the drought will make it dreary before long. It's so sad! We all must pray for more rain to come to our state for myriad reasons...including the soothing coolness of green blades of grass under the tired paws of our furball pals! read more

Disappointed, went to small dog park and of course there were many large breed dogs inside whose owners let their dog jump on you and play dominate over the smaller dog, why even have a small dog park if owners can t follow the rules, so frustrating. read more

My blood is literally boiling right now as I just returned from this dog park. I have been having issues with this park for a while now and used to enjoy it at one point, but it is going downhill fast. Today's incident: I take my small 25 pound dog to the "SMALL" dog park to see it overrun with a crapload of ignorant, rude and irresponsible jerks who decided to all bring their large dogs. Among them was a Rhodesian, a German Sheppard, a Standard Poodle and a GoldenDoodle among many others. Not the first time as people don't like the filthy dust park which is the large side, so they just decide that people with small dogs don't have a right for their dogs to play in peace. The obvious excuse is , "Hey! My dog is friendly!" Well, guess what? MANY SMALL DOGS ARE SPOOKED BY LARGER DOGS, HENSE THE SEPARATION! Of course, my dog ended up getting in a fight after he was surrounded by numerous large dogs. And, which dog do they look at as being the guilty one? I was livid and was about to shout at the owners to take their dogs to the proper side, except there was a toddler there so I didn't want to start anything. Said toddler was also knocked over and cried after a line of large dogs chasing each other collided with him. I remember this happening before and I think it was the same idiot mother who placed her toddler in the middle of the park to walk away from him and have him run over by a large dog during a previous visit. Other annoyances: Vicious small dogs who growl and snap at my dog before he even enters the cage Someone with a known ankle biter who chuckled when his dog jumped up and bit me on the leg, leaving a large and sore bruise. I would stop going here if it wasn't for the fact that my dog expects to go here daily and goes nuts if I don't take him I give it two stars as it USED to be a friendly place with responsible dog owners and still is a lot of the time. But more and more irresponsible jerks are destroying this place. PS- Pick up after your dog already. read more

This is not so much of a dog park as it is a large lot for dogs to run... with a leash. I just don't understand the point of the park when there is an open area (no fence) that leads right out into a relatively busy street. It's just dangerous! There were holes in the other areas of the fence and people had dogs that simply shouldn't have been there (ie aggressive, un trained, etc) but everyone seemed fine with it (even when it was their dogs getting attacked). Weird place, weird people - waste of my time. *sigh* read more

It was my first dog park, and it was great. I always took my dog to the big dog park, which is full of sand and dust, way easier to clean off than mud and dirt that's at other dog parks. The people are friendly, and it's always fairly clean. There's shaded areas to rest in, and there's a gorgeous view of the hills to look at in the morning. In addition, there's a nearby vet just in case of any accidents. read more

I brought my fur baby here for the first time yesterday. I have been to a few different dog parks in Orange County and this one is pretty nice. It's not manicured (which my dog and I actually prefer) and it's a fairly good size. When we went there were only a couple of dogs there so it wasn't too exciting but I'll give it another chance at peak hours. There is a water fountain, tons of parking, and they have separate parks for small dogs and big dogs. I will definitely be back! read more

I am from Indianapolis and was visiting Orange County for 2 weeks with my 2 dogs. We came here about every other day. My 1-year-old Lab mix LOVED it here, both in the large dog and small dog park. (She is smaller than a Lab). (My other dog is 14 years old so is not into playing much anymore...) The people were friendly, there are poop stations and good dog water stations. The location is nice in that it is out of the way, up on a hill. There were some flies but it was summertime in a dog park! Kathy read more

There isn't any grass at this dog park anymore, not one strand. Just a small, smelly dirt lot.

Really small dog park, which is a bummer because there is a TON of space at this location. Next to a great park area with multiple baseball/softball fields and a skateboard park. The sad thing is that the empty lot next to the skateboard park is larger than the dog park, and closer to the facilities. Good effort SC. read more

This small dog park is just okay. There is a hiking trail off to the left of the big dog breed area that provides for a very nice walk or run as the surrounding area is beautiful. I thought is was cool that they provide two separate areas for your furry friend...one designated for large breeds and another designated for small dog breeds. On the flip side, my dog seems to have fun every time I take her here and the people have been very nice too. read more

This dog park is weird. No one uses the big dog park and everyone seems to be ok with the big dogs coming over to the small dog side. When I said something on a busy evening at around 5:30, I was literally bullied out by the big dog owners. The small dog owners seemed like they didn't want to rock the boat or maybe they just didn't care. But for the record, there is a reason my two mini dachshunds can't be around large galloping rambunctious dogs. They could get unintentionally hurt... a fact that literally no one seemed interested in at the San Clemente Dog Park except for me. Guess we can't go back... or... maybe we could go over to the big dog side. read more

My dog really enjoyed running around with the other dogs here, and she was one tired girl when we got home. My only gripe is that the garbage can (just one garbage can in the large dog area so all the poop has to go there) is right by the only shaded seating area, so there are flies all over the shaded area. I've noticed that there are two fly traps by the fence, but it looks like it hasn't been changed in a while. read more

It is always unfortunate for the big dogs to only have sand instead of grass, but everyone was friendly and had well behaved dogs, even though mine is just a large puppy still. Everyone picked up own poop, and was friendly enough to have conversation about our pets. As we were leaving, most of the people we chatted with, though, had their big dogs on the little dog side. No one seemed to mind, but I found it a little odd. Also, park is not in a busy area, so it is nice and quiet and relaxing. read more

A good conveniently located dog park. They have a large and small dog separated area but no one uses the large dog side so the small dog side becomes a free for all. If you don't mind your dog playing with large or small dogs then this is a great place. read more

Wow....what a waste of a drive. When I crested the hill that heads down to the park I was stoked at the view. Mountains and trees galore. I new my Golden would be stoked on this place too. However when I parked and walked up all I found was a small, ugly, fenced in dirt lot surrounded by acres of land. Based on the sterility of the aesthetics, no trees, no bushes, no grass I came to the conclusion that the city of SC could give 2 F's about our dogs. My dog walked in sniffed a few tennis balls as was over it. First and last visit in a matter of 10 minutes. Good job San Clemente representatives. read more

Hate! Went here and all the other dogs ganged up on my poor scared dog. Then one lady was walking around on the cell phone, with coffee and her dog attacked as in bit mine and she didn't even respond. She acted like it didn't happen and couldn't even catch her own dog. Plus it has no grass! Just dirt! read more

Nice dog park in a great location in San Clemente, in the hills with a really pretty views. If you take La Plata Ave. to the end you will run into the dog park. There is parking along the street. They have a big dog park and a small dog park. Since our dogs are all small we went into the small dog park. Did not have any issues and our dogs had a great time running around and socializing with the other dogs. There is a water fountain for dogs, plenty of poop bags, trash cans and a table for owners to sit at. The grass in the small dog park was decent for dog park grass and it seems like everybody picks up after their dogs here. There are some awesome trails in the area too so if you are up for a hike you can also park here close to the dog park and get on a trail. Out of all of the dog parks in South Orange county I would honestly say that this one although on the smaller side is definitely one of the better maintained ones. read more